Sint Eustatius: Nature, Trails and History

Travel planning on Sint Eustatius can focus on three themes: nature and hiking trails, underwater activities, and history. When looking for a hotel, first decide which of these is central to your stay.

Nature and hiking trails

Mazinga Peak is the highest point on Sint Eustatius and offers panoramic views of the island. In Boven National Park, cacti and acacias cover rocky outcrops and open grassland. At Mazinga Peak, the focus is on the expansive views; in Boven National Park, it is on the combination of rock, open spaces and vegetation.

The Venus Bay Trail first climbs to the Gilboa Ridges, then descends through mostly dry tropical forest to Venus Bay, where it ends at a picnic table. Check the trail’s current accessibility locally.

Underwater activities

Snorkeling in Gallows Bay is free.

For all diving and snorkeling sites in St. Eustatius National Marine Park, you must be accompanied by a dive center. This requirement applies to both activities at every site in the park; take it into account when planning.

Historic sites

Fort Oranje and the ruins of Lower Town are historic landmarks on Sint Eustatius. Both are associated with the island’s significant role in Caribbean and international history.

More perspectives on the island of Sint Eustatius

In Lower Town Oranjestad, visitors can walk among historic ruins, including old warehouses, stone ovens and brick buildings. Erosion and hurricanes have affected the structures; conditions on site may change.

The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation was established in 1974 and is dedicated to the island’s history and sharing it with tourists. Several hiking trails on Sint Eustatius pass old stone walls. Historic military batteries are also located along several hiking trails; their condition may vary.

Wildlife on Sint Eustatius includes nesting seabirds and native forest species; sightings are not guaranteed. In Quill National Park, hiking trails pass through dry semi-deciduous woodland, across the elf forest on the crater rim, and down into tropical rainforest. Venus Bay is in Boven National Park. Cacti and acacias characterize Boven’s open grassland, while the trails in Quill pass through several forest zones and into tropical rainforest.

St. Eustatius National Marine Park was established in 1996. The park contains two reserves, one in the north and one in the south; fishing and anchoring are prohibited in both. Check local rules before planning activities. Sint Eustatius’s dive sites extend for 27 km along the coast.

Then check the details of each hotel listing for location and amenities if these criteria are decisive in your choice.

For the broader travel overview: Netherlands Antilles.