Reservations 877-477-8590 | Mention Discount Code: HBC3944Off the beaten track in St. Eustatius
While the island itself may be ‘off the beaten track’ – a known getaway for tourist seeking a relaxed and quaint vacation, one great place made for the start of our new series of “Off the beaten track”!
Visit the Quill – designated as a National Park in 1998, this dormant volcano soars to a height of 600 meters (2000ft)!
This captivating volcano is now covered with lush rainforest and has attracted hundreds of visitors over the past years.
A tour guide may accompany you, or you are free to hike on your own – either way it’s a fascinating experience. Having hiked your way up to the crater, take a moment and take it in. Look around and enjoy the natural surroundings. Explore the lush tropical rainforest as you hike down the interior of the crater, to a depth of 273 meters – nestled with enormous ‘elephant ears’, tree ferns, begonias, and fruit trees.
The Dutch settlers first called it “Kuil” meaning pit or hole, but the English settlers renamed it “Quill”. There are over a dozen species of orchids found at the Quill, some quite rare and over 50 species of birds found around the island; some native, some visitors.
The entrance fee tags for hiking the Quill are sold at STENAPA and the Tourist Office – www.statiatourism.com. If you plan on hiking with a Guide, you should make a reservation 3 days in advance with the STENAPA office – www.statiapark.org. The fee is US$10 per person and children are welcome to hike the Quill as well! If on the other hand, you decide to hike without a Guide, the entrance fee tag is US$3 per person.
From Oranjestad, the island’s town to the main entrance trail of the Quill – will approximately take 45 minutes by foot. While strolling through town you will find direction signs which guide you to the beginning of the tracks of the Quill (Rosemary Lane/ Rosemarylaan).
Map trails: Schematic map of the Quill
There are many things to do in St. Eustatius that are not so touristy and will get you connected with the locals.
Read more: http://caribbeantl.com/caribbean-islands/st-eustatius
Photo Credit: Cees Timmers
