Caribbean Diving in Statia: Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort

Statia sits between St Maarten and St Kitts, within easy reach of major hubs, but the island itself feels a world away from mass‑market Caribbean tourism. There are:

• No cruise ships
• No high‑rise hotels
• No big international chains

Golden Rock is the island’s only true resort. Underwater you’ll almost never see other groups; topside you get quiet, safe, small‑island Caribbean with a polished, design‑forward base to come home to.

Key differentiators:

• No liveaboards, no shore diving, no cruise‑ship traffic in the marine park
• Still undiscovered by mass diving tourism
• Five‑star‑style comfort at a very strong price‑to‑quality ratio for the Caribbean
• Exceptionally healthy reefs and thriving marine life, from dense reef fish populations and macro subjects to frequent turtles and reef sharks

Golden Rock works with Statia’s dedicated dive operator, Statia Divers, in the St Eustatius National Marine Park, which fully surrounds the island. Protection is strict:

• Around 36 dive sites in the park
• No anchoring on reef
• No liveaboards allowed
• Only one other dive shop on the island – and the two operators coordinate, so you don’t end up on the same site

The result is healthy reefs and very low diver traffic. Highlights include:

• Recognition by National Geographic as one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean
• Top rankings in Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards (Caribbean) for:
  

    - Health of marine life

    - Wreck diving

    - Underwater photography

    - Macro

    - Advanced diving

Underwater, you’ll find:

• Volcanic reef structure – lava flows, ridges and boulders coated in corals and sponges
• Historic wreck material – more than 400 documented wreck sites from the 16th–18th centuries (often cannons, ballast, pottery and artefacts)
• Two standout modern wrecks:
  Chien Tong (~17 m) – a former fishing vessel, now an atmospheric night dive where turtles often sleep
  Charles L. Brown (31 m)– one of the longest wrecks in the Caribbean
• Macro and reef life – excellent nudibranch and macro subjects plus dense reef fish life
• Sharks and turtles – nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, the occasional tiger shark, and very strong turtle activity; Statia is considered one of the top ten turtle nesting sites worldwide.
  

Most dives are boat dives with moderate depths, manageable currents and consistently good visibility – interesting enough for experienced divers, but not extreme.

  

One unique feature at Golden Rock is the 11 m / 33 ft deep, ocean‑fed saltwater lagoon right at the resort:

• Fed directly from the sea
• Used for courses and skills refreshers
• Features an old school bus, statues and other structures
  

Guests can pay for a tank fill and jump in for an extra dive whenever it suits, logging easy practice or just squeezing in one more descent before they fly. It’s also handy for photographers fine‑tuning new camera rigs and buoyancy.

The on‑site dive centre is modern and built with travelling divers in mind:

• Two dive boats, taking a maximum of 28 divers total (12 on one, 16 on the other)
• Typical guide ratio of 6:1
• All boat diving – no shore entries
• Full valet service – staff can move and set up your gear and camera equipment, and store it between dives
  

For photographers:

• A large, dedicated camera room occupies roughly a third of the dive shop, with benches and charging space
• The resort is flexible – for serious shooters with a lot of kit, the second bedroom of a two‑bedroom cottage can be converted into a private camera room on request

Snorkelling directly off the dive boats is limited because much of the reef starts deeper, but the resort organises shore snorkelling near the harbour with drinks and a relaxed beach setup.

  

Golden Rock now offers 75 ocean‑facing units across three main categories:

Cottages (17 total)

• 11 one‑bedroom and 6 two‑bedroom
• Ocean views, separate living space, outdoor kitchens, private gardens - Ideal for dive groups and buddies who want a social “village” feel
  

Deluxe ocean rooms (25)

• The original hotel‑style rooms
• Modern, comfortable, all with sea views

Suites (26)

• More spacious, with larger living areas and stand‑alone bathtubs
• Great for couples or anyone wanting extra comfort
  

The resort has planted over 140,000 plants, so you’re walking through maturing tropical gardens on Turkish marble paths, with the sea or the Quill volcano almost always in view.

Golden Rock features in the Michelin Guide and holds a Michelin Key – a hotel‑specific accolade that rewards properties with exceptional character and hospitality. It’s not a Michelin star (which is for restaurants), but it does underline that this is a very considered, high‑quality place to stay.

No matter which room category you choose, you’ll enjoy either an ocean or garden view. Airport or harbor transfers on arrival and departure are included in the room rate, with the resort team meeting you directly on Statia. Daily breakfast at Breeze is also included, making the overall stay feel seamless from the moment you land.

There are two main food and beverage hubs on site:

Breeze – the central restaurant and bar

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Guests are usually on at least a bed & breakfast basis
• A prominent bar and large communal tables that work well for dive groups

Bobbie’s Beach Club – by the lagoon

• More casual, beach‑club feel
• Grills, barbecue, pizzas
• A full‑time sushi chef – a frequent highlight in guest feedback

Food quality is consistently praised, and it’s a big reason non‑divers enjoy Golden Rock as much as the scuba crowd.

Golden Rock’s eco credentials go beyond simple labels:

• Extensive greenhouse and gardens supplying fresh produce to the kitchens
• Chickens in the greenhouse, providing the resort’s eggs
• Chemical‑free pools, treated naturally rather than with traditional pool chemicals
• Guided eco tours where guests can see the systems in action and blend their own bush tea

The resort also operates its own solar park and follows a zero-waste-of-water philosophy. It produces its own drinking water on-site, meaning guests can comfortably drink straight from the tap.

Coupled with the island’s strictly protected marine park, it’s a compelling package for divers who care about both reef health and the footprint of their resort.

These efforts are formally recognised through Green Globe and Green Key certifications, reinforcing that sustainability here is practical, measurable, and genuinely embedded in the operation.

Statia is small (around 8 square miles), but there’s enough to keep non-divers and off-gassing days fully occupied. The resort facilitates several island tours and excursions.

• The Quill volcano – a dormant cone directly behind the resort; guided hikes take you to the crater rim and down inside:
  - Approx. 543 m high (one of the highest points in the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
  - Around a 5‑hour trek round‑trip
  - Inside feels like a lost‑world rainforest with lizards and hermit crabs
• History and culture
  - Once a hugely wealthy free port known as the “Golden Rock”
  - First place to salute and recognise the United States as an independent nation
  - Museums, old forts and ruins, plus walking history tours
  
• Beaches and turtle nesting
  - Wild, scenic beaches on the east coast, with strong surf and currents
  - Important nesting areas for turtles
  

On‑site at Golden Rock, non‑divers can enjoy:

• Two large naturally treated pools
• A new spa with treatment rooms and yoga options
• Beach volleyball and crazy golf
• Tennis, basketball, paddle ball, pickleball and fitness facilities
  

The island’s population is only around 3,400 people and crime is very low, so the overall feel is safe, friendly and relaxed.

For clubs and workshops, there’s also a new conference centre attached to the dive shop, seating around 40 people with a full‑size cinema screen – perfect for photo presentations, training or an end‑of‑trip slideshow of everyone’s GoPro footage.

Bluewater Travel offers special packages at Golden Rock that bundle:

• Accommodation in rooms, cottages or suites
• A set number of boat dives in the marine park
• Transfers and other inclusions, depending on the package

These deliver far better value than booking resort and diving separately, especially given the resort’s quality.

What is diving like around Statia?

Statia is ringed by a national marine park with roughly 36 dive sites. Expect volcanic reef structure, healthy corals and sponges, plentiful reef fish, strong macro photography potential and a mix of historic wreck material plus modern wrecks.

Is Golden Rock suitable for newer divers?

Yes. Many sites are well within the comfort zone of newer divers, and the lagoon is excellent for training and refreshers. More advanced wall and current‑exposed sites in the far north and east are only dived with strong, experienced groups in good conditions.

How many wrecks are there?

There are more than 400 documented wreck sites around Statia. Many are historic – cannons, ballast and artefacts from trading ships – but there are also two excellent modern wrecks: the Chien Tong (~17 m) and the Charles L. Brown, one of the Caribbean’s longest wrecks.

What marine life can I expect to see?

You can expect abundant reef fish, excellent macro (including nudibranchs), frequent turtles and regular shark sightings – nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and occasional tiger sharks. Statia is also one of the world’s top turtle‑nesting locations. From about November to April, humpback whales migrate through the channel between Statia and St Kitts; you’ll often hear them underwater and sometimes see them from the resort, though in‑water encounters are not part of standard dive operations.

How busy are the dive sites?

Very quiet. There are no cruise ships, no shore‑diving operations and no liveaboards allowed in the marine park. Only two dive operators share the area and they coordinate site use, so you’ll typically only see your own group underwater.

What is the lagoon used for?

Golden Rock’s lagoon is an 11 m deep, ocean‑fed saltwater basin used for training, courses and extra “fun” dives. There are submerged features such as a school bus and statues. Guests can purchase a tank fill and log an additional dive there whenever it fits their schedule.

Is there a dedicated camera room?

Yes. The dive centre includes a large camera room with ample bench and charging space. For guests with extensive kit, the resort can also convert the second bedroom of a two‑bedroom cottage into a private camera room on request.

Is snorkelling good?

Snorkelling directly over many boat sites is limited because the reef often starts around 10 m. However, there is enjoyable snorkelling from shore near the harbour, which the resort can arrange, including drinks and a relaxed beach setup.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

Statia is a year‑round destination. Water temperatures are usually around 25°C in winter and up to about 29°C in summer. September can have slightly reduced visibility compared with other months, but diving runs all year. Airfares are often higher in peak Caribbean holiday season (roughly December–March), while shoulder seasons can offer good value and conditions.

How do I get to Statia and Golden Rock?

Most guests route via:

• St Maarten (SXM) – frequent non‑stops from North America and Europe, then a 17‑minute Winair flight or ferry. Winair guarantees one checked bag per person on the connection; a second bag may follow on the next morning flight if the aircraft is full.
• St Kitts (SKB) – good coverage from the US East Coast and some European gateways, followed by a private boat transfer of about an hour, or new short‑hop flights as they come online. Bluewater Travel can help you choose the best routing and advise on luggage strategies.

Is it safe?

Yes. Statia is a small, close‑knit island with a population of around 3,400 and very low crime. Guests commonly walk around after dark, and locals are more likely to offer a lift than any hassle.

If you’re looking for:

• Healthy, award‑winning Caribbean diving with minimal crowds
• A modern, nature‑focused resort recognised with a Michelin Key
• A high standard of food and accommodation at a very fair price point for the region
• A safe, quiet island that suits both dedicated divers and non‑diving partners

…then Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort on Statia deserves a prime spot on your shortlist.