St Eustatius National Marine Park

The marine park rings Sint Eustatius and covers both natural reef on volcanic ground and what is left of the harbour that made the island one of the busiest trading ports in the eighteenth-century Caribbean. Ballast stones, anchors and cargo lie scattered across the anchorage where hundreds of ships worked, alongside modern wrecks placed for diving. Reef sharks and turtles are seen regularly. The park was established in 1996 and is run by the same foundation that manages the island's land parks.

The landscape

• The anchorage debris - ballast, anchors and cargo from the eighteenth-century port.
• The volcanic reef - coral growing on old lava structure.
• The placed wrecks - vessels sunk deliberately as dive sites.
• The sharks and turtles - the larger animals regularly seen on the sites.

When to go

December to April is calmest. Swell cancels boat dives at times in any season. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Things to know

Historic material is scattered and low-relief, and it takes a guide to make sense of it. Operators on Statia are very few and booking ahead is necessary. Weather cancels dives.

Nearby

Oranjestad is on the shore above, and Zeelandia Beach is northeast.