Discover the Caribbean's latest unmasked secret.  Statia, officially "St. Eustatius", is known throughout the region for its rich history.  Until recent years, even the locals sort of 'overlooked' diving tourism on this island because the main industry is as an oil transfer station.  Three dive shops now attract divers from Europe and the U.S.  The combination of interesting history, a fabulous pine forest within the crater and friendly locals make this island unique.  Although there's not yet quite the variety of hotels, cottages and restaurants we find on Saba (not exactly a metropolis either!), you'll find there's more than adequate facilities to accommodate the diving traveler.  

My friend recently returned from Statia to exclaim:  "It's like Africa in the Caribbean".   I also just returned from a Statia trip (July 2003) and although I found Statia far from primitive, I am reminded that the island is more geared toward the low maintenance, diving enthusiast--no spas, just one fancy restaurant and a laid back feeling of a Caribbean you once knew.

So if you're looking to go "off the beaten track" where you will find an island far from tourism exploitation and perhaps lacking a bit in tourism polish, an island that offers healthy diving and is working toward preserving their new found treasure, then perhaps Statia is right up your alley.  There's good information on Hotels and Cottages--please link below. More exploring and restaurant information should be up in the next week--stay tuned!

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