Resort Report: Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort and Statia Divers

Divers in the know call St. Eustatius the hidden gem of Caribbean diving. Known to locals as “Statia,” this small, less-visited island  offers an attractive combination of historic charms, natural beauty and protected underwater landscapes. You can get the best Statia has to offer at the Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort.

When Golden Rock opened in the fall of 2021, it was heralded as the island's first upscale resort development, offering a full suite of five-star services and amenities. The property has lived up to these expectations, and it does so in an eco-conscious way that respects and preserves the island's bucolic atmosphere and natural environment. Electricity is provided by an array of more than 2,200 solar panels. A reverse osmosis system turns ocean water into pure drinking water, while wastewater is processed through biological filtration and used for irrigation. This dedication to sustainable operation has earned the resort a coveted Green Key certification, which is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence in sustainable tourism.

Guest accommodations set on the slopes of the island's landmark Quill volcano spread outward rather than upward, preserving views of the Atlantic and the forested peak. Options include deluxe rooms and suites with private balconies, sustainable amenities. Guests can also choose private villas and one- and two-bedroom cottages crafted to evoke a combination of unpretentious luxury and local charm. The resort's 40-acre property is landscaped with more than 140,000 flowers, trees and indigenous vegetation that creates new habitat for birds, butterflies and local wildlife. This garden-like setting is crisscrossed by palm-shaded walking paths lined with hibiscus, frangipani, and bougainvillea.

A 20,000 square foot greenhouse provides organic produce for the resort's signature Breezes Restaurant and the Bobbies Beach Club eatery. Breezes is considered the island's premier dining destination, serving seasonal-inspired menus from the land and sea. Bobbie's offers pizza, sushi and an assortment of casual and comfort foods and snacks.

Resort amenities cater to both active pursuits and relaxation. The grounds include two freshwater pools, a multi-use sports fields, racket courts, an oceanfront fitness center, and spaces for yoga and pilates classes. Children have a playground, mini golf and a game center. Adults can relax at the Rock Spa, attend art sessions and wine tastings, or nod off in hammocks spaced around a calm lagoon. At night, the resort's staff astronomer leads stargazing sessions. Off-property activities include hikes on the slopes of the island's landmark Quill volcano and Boven National Park, bird watching, island tours and guided history walks in the capital of  Oranjestad.

Diving activities begin at the on-site Statia Divers facility, which sits on the shore of the Caribbean's largest man-made, ocean-fed lagoon. This football-field-size body of sheltered water includes a small wreck at a depth of 30 feet, providing an ideal environment for scuba training and check-out dives. The dive center offers a range of PADI dive courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster and specialties such as Deep, Wreck and Enriched Air Nitrox Diver. The dive center stocks a full complement of top-quality Scubapro rental gear and provides free nitrox to qualified divers.

Golden Rock operates a pair of dive boats located on the island's calm leeward shore, providing valet-style services tailored to each diver's interests and abilities.  63, 80 and 100 cubic-foot tanks are available for both air and nitrox fills. A vast majority of Statia's dive sites can be reached 5-20 minute boat ride from the harbor, and all sites lie within a marine park that surrounds the entire island.

Statia delivers a diverse mix of underwater landscapes that include hard and soft coral reefs, slopes, sponge-covered walls, sea mounts, archaeological sites, lava flows, thermal vents, caverns, canyons and critter-rich sand and rubble seabeds. Divers can explore 7 modern wrecks ranging in size up to the 300-foot Charlie Brown wreck, and Statia's sea bed also holds the scattered remains of several hundred historic wrecks from the age of sail. Statia's most famous underwater artifacts are the small blue glass beads that were once used as currency in maritime trade.

Marine life thrives in the protected waters of Statia's Marine Park. Divers often encounter nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and black-tip reef sharks, four species of sea turtle, large schools of reef and pelagic fish, stingrays and spotted eagle rays. Less frequent but highly memorable encounters include dolphin pods, manta rays and migrating whales. Muck diving sites yield flying gurnards,  Frogfish, octopus, flamingo tongue snails, lettuce sea slug and nudibranch. Macro enthusiasts can hunt for pike blennies, orange-sided gobies, sea horses and Pederson cleaning shrimp.

Caradonna works with Golden Rock to create bespoke dive and activity packages tailored to your individual interests, schedule and budget. Agents can also create seamless air-inclusive packages that make travel easy and convenient.