Golden Rock Divers
Registered
Hello from St. Eustatius (Statia),
It has been brought to my attention that there is limited information on St. Eustatius or as we call it Statia so I am going to try and improve that. I will provide some general info now and continue to monitor this site for questions you may have in the future. First let me introduce myself my name is Glenn Faires, I have along with my wife Michele been living on Statia since 1995 and we started Golden Rock Dive Center. After working and living on several islands from Bahamas, Cozumel, and St. Maarten we were interested in getting in to the dive travel business and had been looking for the right island for several years when we first visited Statia. By the end of the first day on Statia we know this was the place we had been looking for, a true diamond in the rough, old Caribbean charm, no mass tourism history, hiking, with more diversity of marine life than we could find anywhere in the region. Little did we know at the time but the water of Statia held more natural treasure than we ever expected in fact only after several years in business and listening to our guest did it become clear to us what we had stumbled on. What has now become known for the most diverse diving in the Caribbean with 8 distinct ecosystems all with different structure and life to enjoy. These different sites include Wall dives, Coral encrusted lava flows, Patch reef, Macro dives, Penetration ship wrecks, Historical wrecks, Isolated outcroppings, and Boulder slides. With a small population of residents and less than 100 hotel rooms there is little fishing pressure or pollution so the marine life thrives here with healthy populations you will have a complete ecosystem from the very small to the largest reef predators. Some points about the island that are challenging are the limited dining experiences, normal to a small island and the additional inter island flight from SXM to Statia. However these are minimal when compared to the quality of diving and the peacefully laidback atmosphere you will enjoy during your holiday. Please keep in mind that the info I provide is biased as I want you to come for a visit but also keep in mind I will be here diving with you so I cant afford to be misleading. I hope to receive questions from you with regards to any aspect of Statia and especially the diving and U/W photography opportunities is one of my passions. Please have a look at our web site goldenrockdive.com
It has been brought to my attention that there is limited information on St. Eustatius or as we call it Statia so I am going to try and improve that. I will provide some general info now and continue to monitor this site for questions you may have in the future. First let me introduce myself my name is Glenn Faires, I have along with my wife Michele been living on Statia since 1995 and we started Golden Rock Dive Center. After working and living on several islands from Bahamas, Cozumel, and St. Maarten we were interested in getting in to the dive travel business and had been looking for the right island for several years when we first visited Statia. By the end of the first day on Statia we know this was the place we had been looking for, a true diamond in the rough, old Caribbean charm, no mass tourism history, hiking, with more diversity of marine life than we could find anywhere in the region. Little did we know at the time but the water of Statia held more natural treasure than we ever expected in fact only after several years in business and listening to our guest did it become clear to us what we had stumbled on. What has now become known for the most diverse diving in the Caribbean with 8 distinct ecosystems all with different structure and life to enjoy. These different sites include Wall dives, Coral encrusted lava flows, Patch reef, Macro dives, Penetration ship wrecks, Historical wrecks, Isolated outcroppings, and Boulder slides. With a small population of residents and less than 100 hotel rooms there is little fishing pressure or pollution so the marine life thrives here with healthy populations you will have a complete ecosystem from the very small to the largest reef predators. Some points about the island that are challenging are the limited dining experiences, normal to a small island and the additional inter island flight from SXM to Statia. However these are minimal when compared to the quality of diving and the peacefully laidback atmosphere you will enjoy during your holiday. Please keep in mind that the info I provide is biased as I want you to come for a visit but also keep in mind I will be here diving with you so I cant afford to be misleading. I hope to receive questions from you with regards to any aspect of Statia and especially the diving and U/W photography opportunities is one of my passions. Please have a look at our web site goldenrockdive.com
Glenn, nice post. I told you when I left last week I would work to get the word out. If you have access to Undercurrent check out my trip report there. I butchered yours and Michele's name, sorry about that. For those who have not been to Statia, or do not have access to Undercurrent (shame on you) here is my impression of the island. If you have been around long enough to remember Sea Hunt, Flipper and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea you may have been diving when diving was really an adventure. Diving on Statia can make you feel like you are Capt. Don anchoring off an unknown island and discovering what is under the water for the first time. Every dive has tons of lobsters, rays, and large, un-pressured reef fish. Sharks were not uncommon too. The corals are in great shape. Glenn's boat "EZ Livin" is a perfect dive platform for this island. Very short trips to the many dive sites, in a week we didn't scratch the surface of all the sites. The island is really what the Caribbean was like 25 years ago. For those Parrot Heads out there this is the type of island life Jimmy Buffet sings about. Golden Rock was like a throw back to when diving was a real adventure sport, nothing fancy but a great atmosphere. Where else can you get a local to grill up a great beach BBQ of lobster and fish? If your the type of diver who likes 5 star meals served with a white napkin then don't bother. But, if you are a diver who wants to experience what Grand Cayman and Coz use to be like spend a few days on Statia. You will not be sorry.
