St. Eustatius

Have you never heard of this small island in the Caribbean? That's because it's a closely guarded secret. St. Eustatius (Statia in local slang) was once the busiest port in the Caribbean in the eighteenth century. Today it is a sleepy island where time has stood still. Sint Eustatius is not your average Caribbean island, imagine the Caribbean from about 25 or 30 years ago and you come close.

The reefs around St. Eustatius flourish in a protected marine park. Here you experience underwater what a large part of the Caribbean must have looked like years ago. Most of the 36 official dive sites are located in the two reserves that cover much of the northern and southwestern waters. The eye-catching volcano “the Quill” dominates the island with its impressive crater and is responsible for the enormous amount of lava flows and blocks below the surface. These ancient lava labyrinths are now completely overgrown with coral and sponges. Combine these reefs with a large number of historic dive sites and more recently sunken wrecks and you have a diver's paradise!

Scubaqua Dive Center

Located on the beach in a beautifully restored historic warehouse, Scubaqua offers a two-tank dive in the morning and also a third dive in the afternoon. They dive in small groups (max. 6:1) and before each dive they give you a detailed briefing about the dive site and the plan. All the dives they do are guided dives but they are experts in not limiting your sense of freedom. Custom-diving Scubaqua style means they give the experienced diver the dives they want. In addition, the inexperienced divers receive the extra attention they need. Dives are 'limited' by the no-decompression limits, often exceeding 70 minutes. For those who are nitrox certified, they offer nitrox for free. After the dives there is no better place to have a cocktail and watch the sunset on the veranda.

Would you like to speak to the people of Scubaqua yourself? Then come to Duikvaker: The Dutch Dive Show, on 4 and 5 February 2023 they will also be present in Expo Houten. Can't wait that long? Then take a look at their website.