Zeelandia Beach

Zeelandia runs along Sint Eustatius's Atlantic coast, a long strip of dark volcanic sand with surf coming straight in off the open ocean and the Quill rising at one end. It is the island's biggest beach and it is not a swimming beach: the undertow here is dangerous and drownings have happened. People walk it, look for shells and driftwood, and turtles nest along it in season. The beach runs for well over a kilometre and it is usually possible to walk the whole of it without meeting anyone.

What you actually see

• The dark sand - a long volcanic strip on the island's Atlantic side.
• The Atlantic surf - swell arriving straight off open ocean.
• The Quill - the volcano rising at the southern end of the beach.
• The turtle nesting - the animals using the beach in season.

When to go

December to April is drier. Surf is heavy on this coast in every season. Turtles nest from around April to November.

Honest expectations

Swimming here is genuinely dangerous because of the undertow and it should not be attempted. There are no facilities and no lifeguard. Wind on this coast is constant.

Nearby

The Quill is south, and Oranjestad is southwest.