Zee Best Breakfast! Voted best breakfast on the island. Authentic, fresh-baked French pastries, light-as-air crepes and scrumptious lunches. Open daily in two locations; Simpson Bay and Marina Port-de-Plaisance with a lovely view of the marina.
This quiet little island is filled with remnants of its glorious history preserved through the efforts of the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation. Heritage is everywhere, from museums and archeological sites to preservation projects like restoration of Honem Dali, St. Eustatius' 18th century Jewish Synagogue, one of the first in the New World. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum in the old Simon Doncker house offers a good overview of Statia history and you can arrange for walking tours as well. You can still see the foundations of Old Oranjestad, the historical town reclaimed by the sea. Sometimes when walking the beach, you can still find bits of the same type of blue beads used to "buy" Manhattan. A hike to the beautifully restored 17th century Fort Oranje offers beautiful views of the harbor and sea. The new town of Oranjestad is filled with quaint architecture, little shops and galleries and restaurants.
Statia is also a natural wonder with an emphasis on ecotourism. The Old Gin House and its beautiful gardens and restaurant serve as a great base for a day trip or an overnighter. The place is a beautifully decorated and charming reconstruction of a historic 18th century building that once housed a cotton gin operation. It's one of the special places in Statia that will make you feel "like a local" and give you a taste of the Statia lifestyle.
After a refreshing beverage at The Old Gin House, strike out for The Quill, an extinct volcano at about 2,000 feet above sea level. You can actually walk onto the crater floor. It is recommended you make a reservation three days in advance with the office of STENAPA (www.statiapark.org/email: info@statiapark.org). The crater is surrounded by a lush rainforest filled with exotic tropical flora and features the Miriam C. Smith Botanical Garden.
Diving is a great sport on Statia as there are reefs filled with aquatic life enriched by warm waters and volcanic fissures and canyons. You'll find great shipwrecks and archeological spots as well. Golden Rock Dive Center at The Old Gin House can arrange for diving.
Hidden Treasure: Statia's Blue Beads
In Statia, the search for tiny blue beads is a pastime of locals and visitors in the know. But why? Well, these beads are representative of Statia's unique history: hundreds of years ago, they originated in Amsterdam and made their way to the Dutch West Indies through the seafaring ships of Dutch East India Company. The beads were used to value the enslaved African captives and have appeared all over the New World. Many of these beads were stored in Statia and were used as payment for wages and bartering until the time of emancipation. According to local folklore, after emancipation the folklore explains that Statians went to the cliffs and threw their beads into the sea, signifying their release from slavery and ability to earn real money. And it's said that once you find a bead, you are forever connected to Statia and will return again and again. Happy hunting!
Take a quick trip on Edge I or Edge II the fastest way to get to neighboring islands. These high speed ferries allow you to enjoy day trips for diving, hiking or touring: St. Barts.Saba.
Bluebeard Charters
Bluebeard Charters out of Simpson Bay features day-sail trips on its Heineken Cat to Anguilla that include a fabulous snorkeling stop at Prickly Pear, a magical white-sand beach surrounded by three reefs teeming with marine life and bathed by translucent sapphire-colored waters. Guests are treated to a barbecue lunch and plenty of cold drinks. Contact: Bluebeard Charters.
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Zee Best Breakfast! Voted best breakfast on the island. Authentic, fresh-baked French pastries, light-as-air crepes and scrumptious lunches. Open daily in two locations; Simpson Bay and Marina Port-de-Plaisance with a lovely view of the marina. 
This quiet little island is filled with remnants of its glorious history preserved through the efforts of the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation. Heritage is everywhere, from museums and archeological sites to preservation projects like restoration of Honem Dali, St. Eustatius' 18th century Jewish Synagogue, one of the first in the New World. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum in the old Simon Doncker house offers a good overview of Statia history and you can arrange for walking tours as well. You can still see the foundations of Old Oranjestad, the historical town reclaimed by the sea. Sometimes when walking the beach, you can still find bits of the same type of blue beads used to "buy" Manhattan. A hike to the beautifully restored 17th century Fort Oranje offers beautiful views of the harbor and sea. The new town of Oranjestad is filled with quaint architecture, little shops and galleries and restaurants. 
After a refreshing beverage at The Old Gin House, strike out for The Quill, an extinct volcano at about 2,000 feet above sea level. You can actually walk onto the crater floor. It is recommended you make a reservation three days in advance with the office of STENAPA (
In Statia, the search for tiny blue beads is a pastime of locals and visitors in the know. But why? Well, these beads are representative of Statia's unique history: hundreds of years ago, they originated in Amsterdam and made their way to the Dutch West Indies through the seafaring ships of Dutch East India Company. The beads were used to value the enslaved African captives and have appeared all over the New World. Many of these beads were stored in Statia and were used as payment for wages and bartering until the time of emancipation. According to local folklore, after emancipation the folklore explains that Statians went to the cliffs and threw their beads into the sea, signifying their release from slavery and ability to earn real money. And it's said that once you find a bead, you are forever connected to Statia and will return again and again. Happy hunting! 
More Info
Take a quick trip on Edge I or Edge II the fastest way to get to neighboring islands. These high speed ferries allow you to enjoy day trips for diving, hiking or touring: 
Bluebeard Charters out of Simpson Bay features day-sail trips on its Heineken Cat to Anguilla that include a fabulous snorkeling stop at Prickly Pear, a magical white-sand beach surrounded by three reefs teeming with marine life and bathed by translucent sapphire-colored waters. Guests are treated to a barbecue lunch and plenty of cold drinks. Contact: 
