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Statia
has diving life like no other destination
in the Caribbean. The warm water and the
underwater volcanic fissures and canyons
have given this area a diversified diving
selection.
One
can dive coral and sponge covered walls
and pinnacles with dramatic backdrops
of visual delights. These walls a frequented
by black rip sharks, eagle rays and larger
fish varieties.
The
shallower reefs 40 feet to 75 feet have
been carved from volcanic fingers that
are covered with a variety of soft and
hard corals. Barrel sponges and pillar
coral seem to be the norm for the visual
backdrops.
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The
fish life is abundant with a few rarer species
like the flying gurnards, high hats and jack-knife
fish making daily showings. Hundreds of critters
make their home in numerous cracks and ledges.
This is truly a photographers delight.
One
of the many dive sites in Statia consists of
tangled shipwrecks located in 60 to 70 feet
of water. Many of these wrecks are surrounded
by hundreds of schooling snappers, goat fish
and other curious fishes. Large barracudas guard
the upper waters while spotted morays and southern
stingrays patrol below.
For
those interested in archeological dives, Statia
has plenty. One can find glass shards from old
plates, wine bottles or an old Dutch clay pipe.
It
is said that Sint Eustatius suffered an earthquake
and that a part of this very prosperous colony
collapsed into the sea. And it is true that
the many underwater vestiges turn every dive
in Statia into a treasure hunt adventure.
The
wall that supported the quay for the merchant
ships did in fact collapse from a lack of maintenance
when the colony was almost forgotten at the
end of the 18th century.
There
are quite a few wrecks that lie on the bottom
of the sea and occasionally a diver will make
a discovery that makes his heart beat faster;
a perfectly intact bottle, the vision of an
anchor lying on the sand or even a blue bead
that were once given to the slaves as salary
- their only wealth.
The
divers bring their discoveries to the historic
museum that tells of a rich colorful past of
an island that has now become so calm.
The
natural wealth of the underwater world will
surprise you with the deep walls, the extremely
healthy coral and the famous flying gurnards
that live in these waters that are only now
beginning to be discovered by man.
The
highlight of a many diver's vacation is to dive
with the flying gurnards. Statia has several
dive areas where divers can see one or up to
a dozen of these spectacular fishes. They are
considered uncommon throughout the Caribbean,
however in Statia's waters one can see them
everyday.
Whether
you are just beginning to dive or whether you
are an old salt and want to dive walls, pinnacles,
reefs or an old archeological shipwreck site,
Statia has them all. The abundance of fish,
coral and color makes this truly a divers dreams
come true. And bring a camera.
To
help preserve Statia's pristine marine life,
the St. Eustatius Marine Park, managed by Stenapa,
was established in 1998.
Local
Dive Operators
The
following offer complete Scuba diving packages
(PADI), dives, resort courses, lessons, certification
programs, equipment rental, accessories and
snorkel tours.
| Scuba
Diving Schools in St Eustatius |
Dive
Statia
PO Box 58
Lowertown, Oranjestad
Telephone: (599) 318-2435
Toll-free: 866-614-3491
Fax: (599) 318-2539
USA telephone: 1-405-843-7846
USA fax: 1-405-843-3040
e-mail: info@divestatia.com |
Golden
Rock Dive Center
PO Box 61
Lowertown, Oranjestad
Telephone/Fax: (599) 318-2964
Toll-free US only: 1-800-311-6658
e-mail: grdivers@goldenrock.net |
Scubaqua
The Golden Era Hotel
Oranje Bay
Lowertown, Oranjestad
Telephone: 599-318-2345
Fax 599-318-2160
e-mail: dive@scubaqua.com |
Links
& Sources:
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