St. Eustatius Group Dive Trip | November 6-13, 2027

Most Caribbean dive destinations have been discovered. The boats are crowded, the reefs are familiar, and the resorts know it. Statia is different. St. Eustatius is an eight-square-mile island in the Eastern Caribbean with 36 moored dive sites, a 10.6-square-mile marine park, no high-rise hotels, no chain restaurants, and dive boats that are typically the only ones at the sites. The reefs here look the way most of the Caribbean used to look, and the island has made a point of keeping it that way.

Dive Arizona is taking a group there November 6-13, 2027. Sixteen dives across five days with Scubaqua Dive Center, one of the most respected dive operations in the Caribbean. Eighteen spots available. Bring your certification card, your sense of adventure, and if you have it, your nitrox certification, nitrox is free!

Trip at a Glance

• Dates: November 6-13, 2027 (fly in November 6, dive November 7-11, free day November 12, fly out November 13)
• 16 dives across 5 days - two morning dives plus a third afternoon dive daily
• One night dive included with the trip
• Additional night dives available at $99 each
• Free nitrox for certified nitrox divers
• Staying at the Old Gin House Hotel, Orange Bay - breakfast included daily
• All dives with Scubaqua Dive Center, located steps from the hotel
• All dives within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park
• 18 spots total
• Open Water certification or higher required to participate in diving
• Non-divers welcome

The Diving

The water runs 78-84 degrees Fahrenheit with visibility ranging from 65 to 100 feet depending on the site. Below the surface you will find colorful coral reefs with barracuda, eagle rays, stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks. Divers who slow down and look close will find nudibranchs, seahorses, and macro life along volcanic rock structures, including the ancient lava labyrinths that have been growing coral for centuries. Statia also has historical shipwrecks, from 17th and 18th century vessels to modern wrecks like the 100-metre cable-runner Charles Brown. The reefs cover eight distinct habitats across 36 moored sites, so no two dives feel the same.

Nitrox - Free for Certified Divers

Scubaqua provides nitrox at no additional charge for certified nitrox divers. If you hold a Computer Nitrox or equivalent nitrox certification, you dive nitrox the entire trip at no extra cost. If you are not yet nitrox certified, Dive Arizona offers the SDI Computer Nitrox course - completing it before the trip means longer no-decompression limits on every dive. Call us at (480) 881-4013 to get that scheduled before November.

Night Diving

One night dive is included with the trip. Statia at night is a different place - creatures that are absent during the day are active after dark, and the same sites you dived at noon look completely different. Additional night dives are available at $99 each. If you want to add more, let us know when you book.

Scubaqua Dive Center

All dives run with Scubaqua Dive Center, which has operated on Statia since 1997 and is consistently rated among the top dive operations in the Caribbean. Scubaqua dives in small groups with a maximum 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, gives a detailed briefing before every dive, and has guides who know the marine park and its wildlife in detail. Their operation is located steps from the Old Gin House Hotel, which means no long transfers between accommodation and the boat.

Where We Stay

The group is staying at the Old Gin House Hotel on Orange Bay, an 18th-century property right next to Scubaqua. Breakfast is included every morning. The oceanfront restaurant has views across the Caribbean Sea toward the neighboring island of Saba. Additional restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel.

For Non-Divers

Statia rewards non-divers who want to explore. The island is small enough to see most of it in a day, but there is more here than the size suggests.

Hike the Quill

The Quill is a dormant volcano that dominates the island's skyline. The hike to the rim and into the rainforest crater is one of the most-recommended experiences on the island, the crater floor is a dense jungle with bird species found nowhere else, and the views from the rim look out over the entire island and the surrounding sea. Multiple trails of varying difficulty are available through Quill National Park.

Fort Oranje and Oranjestad

Statia has one of the most historically significant sites in the Caribbean. Fort Oranje, built in the 1600s, sits above the island's main town of Oranjestad and was the location of the first official salute to the American flag in 1776, a detail that still defines Statia's relationship with the United States. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum in Oranjestad covers the island's remarkable trading history, and walking tours through the town are available through the museum.

Snorkeling and the Blue Beads

The shallow waters around Statia are part of the same protected marine park that the dive sites sit in. Snorkeling along the bay gives non-divers access to clear water and marine life without needing scuba equipment. Statia is also known for its blue beads - small Dutch trading beads from the 18th century that wash up on the beaches and can sometimes be found in the sand near the waterline.

Beaches, Spas, and Island Time

Statia's beaches are quiet and largely unspoiled. Oranje Beach, right in front of the hotel, is the main stretch in Lower Town. Wellness options including massage and spa treatments are available on the island. Scubaqua's terrace is also a well-regarded spot to have a drink and watch the Caribbean sunset, divers and non-divers both end up there.

Food and Dining

Breakfast at the Old Gin House is included every morning. The hotel restaurant serves lunch and dinner with oceanfront views. Several other restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel, Statia's dining scene is small but solid, and the island's Dutch and Caribbean influences show up on the menus.

What's Included

• Seven nights at the Old Gin House Hotel
• Breakfast daily
• 16 guided dives with Scubaqua Dive Center across 5 days
• One night dive
• Free nitrox for certified nitrox divers
• All dives within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park

Not included: flights, travel insurance, gratuities, additional night dives ($99 each), meals beyond breakfast, and personal expenses.

How to Reserve Your Spot

Eighteen spots are available. To reserve your spot, add the trip to your cart above or call us at (480) 881-4013. All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification do I need to dive on this trip?

Open Water Diver certification or higher. Any recognized agency certification at Open Water level or above is accepted. Non-divers are welcome to join the trip without a certification.

Is nitrox included?

Yes, for certified nitrox divers. Scubaqua provides nitrox at no additional charge for divers who hold a nitrox certification. If you are not yet certified, Dive Arizona offers the SDI Computer Nitrox course -- call us at (480) 881-4013 to schedule it before the trip.

How many dives are included?

Sixteen dives across five days -- two morning dives and one afternoon dive each day. One night dive is included. Additional night dives are available at $99 each.

What are the water conditions like in November?

Water temperature runs 78-84 degrees Fahrenheit. Visibility ranges from 65 to 100 feet depending on the site and conditions. November is in Statia's dry season with generally calm water conditions.

What dive sites will we visit?

All dives are within the St. Eustatius National Marine Park, which covers 36 moored sites. Scubaqua guides will select sites based on conditions and group interest. Statia has coral reefs, volcanic lava formations, macro life habitats, and historical shipwrecks including the 100-metre Charles Brown.

Is this trip suitable for newer divers?

Yes. Scubaqua dives with a maximum 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio and is experienced with divers across all experience levels. Open Water certification is the minimum requirement. If you have specific questions about your experience level and the trip, call us at (480) 881-4013.

What is there to do on the free day (November 12)?

November 12 is a free day with no scheduled diving. Options include hiking the Quill volcano, exploring Fort Oranje and Oranjestad, snorkeling, visiting the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum, or simply taking the day at the beach. Scubaqua may be able to arrange additional dives for those who want them -- ask the team when you arrive.

Are non-divers welcome?

Yes. Non-divers are welcome on the trip. Statia has hiking, history, beaches, snorkeling, and a relaxed island atmosphere that makes it a worthwhile destination regardless of whether you dive. The Old Gin House Hotel and its surroundings are the base for the whole group.

What should I know about travel to St. Eustatius?

St. Eustatius is a Dutch Caribbean island (a special municipality of the Netherlands). Getting there typically involves a connection through Sint Maarten (SXM) or another hub. A passport is required for US citizens. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Call us at (480) 881-4013 and we can share what we know about the routing.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance that covers cancellation is strongly recommended for all participants.

Ready to Go?

Eighteen spots. November 6-13, 2027. Reserve yours above or call us at (480) 881-4013. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.

***All trip deposits and payments are non-refundable.***