At 11 square miles, with a population of 3,000 and no major cruise ports, you could be forgiven for not knowing about St Eustatius (Statia), one of the tiniest – and most charming – islands in the Caribbean . While many holiday destinations in this part of the world embrace an attitude of more is more, lining their shores with mega-resorts, margarita bars and beach clubs, this Dutch municipality tucked between St Kitts, St Barts, and St Maarten hangs fast to its identity as a biodiverse tourist paradise. Read Next 10 new holiday favourites – and how to visit before the tourist crowds Arriving on the island, I was struck by the serenity.
Rather than car horns and construction noise, birdsong and faint Calypso music followed me everywhere. A holiday in Statia is a steal compared with its better-known neighbours. In St Kitts, for example, UK visitors spend an average US$4,680.
80 (£3,612) per couple on a 10-day stay (excluding airfare), according to the St Kitts Tourism Authority. Meanwhile, Statia Tourism estimates couples spend $3,800 (£2,932) for the equivalent – yet the island receives fewer than 10,000 visitors a year. The average hotel cost is around $180 (£139) a night, while most guests spend about $100 (£77) a day on excursions , food and shuttles (shared taxis).
Perhaps because of its laid-back feel and relative affordability, Statia has become an under-the-radar favourite of outdoor adventure lovers. During my own recent visit, I discovered how the lush isl.