Quill Gardens Estate

St. Eustatius boasts a protected marine park with a surface area of 24 sq kms. Some of the world’s most interesting marine archeology can be found here. Rum bottles and intact clay pipes from the 17th and 18th century lie silently next to ancient shipwrecks. Nurse sharks, sea turtles and sting rays burrowed in the volcanic grey/black sand are waiting for you to observe them in their pristine habitat.

St. Eustatius is one of the best dive sites in the world and hardcore divers agree that this is a ‘not to be missed’ destination.
Quill Gardens caters to divers and know you will be excited to come ‘home’ after a long day at sea and be able to tell your stories while enjoying your 5-star accommodation.

We have 2 excellent dive centers on St. Eustatius. Both offer PADI certification courses and VIP diving services for beginning, intermediate and experienced divers.

www.scubaqua.com

www.goldenrockdive.com

Nature lovers will not be disappointed on Statia. This island is home to many species of flora and fauna. The Lesser Antillean Iguana is an endangered species but thrives here. Red-billed Tropic birds are also regularly found on Statia. They delight people with their playful aerial games while singing their cricket like sound which echoes across the rocky cliffs where they nest.

The landscape of St. Eustatius is dominated by ‘The Quill’ which is a dormant volcano. The local nature organization, St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) www.statiapark.org manages The Quill, Boven National Park, St. Eustatius National Marine Park and the Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden. The island has hiking trails which crisscross rugged landscapes and lush rain forests. One of the more frequently chosen trails is the one which takes hikers up to the lip of the crater of The Quill.

When trail conditions permit, it is possible to go into the heart of the crater. As you descend, you enter an actual rain forest. The rare Statian orchid abounds and is surrounded by mysterious vines which weave themselves through uncommon plants. Hikes vary from easy to difficult and are clearly marked. If you are an experienced hiker, you can choose to go to the highest point of the volcano which reaches an altitude of 600 meters. While walking on the volcano you will pass through intricate groupings of Silk Cotton trees, Mapou trees and ancient Ficus which sometimes grow together in an interesting display of symbiosis.