A view from the island’s highest point, a trail through dry vegetation down to the bay and historic sites give a trip to Sint Eustatius a distinct focus on nature and culture.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes

Mazinga Peak is the highest point on Sint Eustatius and offers panoramic views of the island. In Boven National Park, cacti and acacias cover rocky outcrops and open grassland. The Venus Bay Trail follows its own course: it first climbs to the Gilboa Ridges, then descends through mostly dry tropical forest to Venus Bay, ending at a picnic table. Venus Bay is in Boven National Park. If you plan to hike the trail, it’s best to confirm current access locally.

Hiking trails in Sint Eustatius’s Quill National Park also pass through dry semi-deciduous woodland and descend through the elf forest on the crater rim into tropical rainforest. This offers contrasting landscape experiences to choose from: open, rocky terrain in Boven and a route through several vegetation zones in the Quill.

Wildlife on Sint Eustatius includes nesting seabirds and native forest species; sightings are not guaranteed. Several hiking trails pass old stone walls. Historic military batteries are also located along hiking trails. Trail conditions may vary.

Sea and National Marine Park

The St. Eustatius National Marine Park was established in 1996. The dive sites of Sint Eustatius extend 27 km along the coast. At all dive and snorkel sites in the park, you must be accompanied by a dive center. Check the current local rules before planning activities. The park also contains two reserves, one in the north and one in the south; fishing and anchoring are prohibited in both. For planning purposes, these two points should be read separately: accompaniment by a dive center is required at the park’s dive and snorkel sites; the fishing and anchoring ban applies specifically to the two reserves in the north and south.

Snorkeling in Gallows Bay is free.

Historic Sites and Traces

Fort Oranje and the ruins of Lower Town are historic landmarks connected to the island’s important role in Caribbean and international history. In Lower Town Oranjestad, visitors can walk among historic ruins, including old warehouses, stone ovens and brick buildings. Erosion and hurricanes have affected the site, and conditions may change. Check the local conditions before visiting.

You can also encounter traces of the past along hiking trails: several trails on Sint Eustatius pass old stone walls, while others run past historic military batteries. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation was established in 1974.

For the general travel overview: Netherlands Antilles.