Forever Young Apartment – Two-Bedroom Statia Base Camp
A quiet, self-catering two-bedroom in Oranjestad, minutes from Fort Oranje and Statia's dive shops.
Why Go
Sint Eustatius is the Caribbean island most travelers have never heard of – no cruise ships, no all-inclusives, just Quill Volcano hikes and shipwreck dives. Forever Young gives you a full apartment in the middle of it all, so you can settle in like a local rather than shuffle through a hotel lobby.
The Experience
You're staying in Oranjestad, Statia's tiny sun-bleached capital, in a self-contained two-bedroom with air conditioning, a proper kitchen, WiFi and free parking – the kind of setup that turns a 3-night island stop into a real week. The apartment sleeps four, so it works equally well for a dive buddy pair spreading out gear or a family who wants their own space after a day on the trails. Mornings are quiet: grab coffee in the kitchen, walk 20 minutes down to Fort Oranje for the view over the roadstead, then drive or taxi to whichever dive site or trailhead is calling. Evenings you're cooking with groceries from the local supermarkets or wandering into one of Upper Town's small restaurants. F.D. Roosevelt Airport is famously close – Statia is small enough that 'near the airport' still means quiet nights.
What to Try
Use the kitchen. Statia has a handful of restaurants but limited hours, and self-catering is genuinely part of the experience here – hit the grocery in Upper Town on arrival, cook a proper meal, and eat out only when you actually want to. Also: base your dive week here. The apartment is close enough to Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort and the harbor that morning boat pickups are painless, and having a full kitchen after diving beats hotel restaurant fatigue by day three.
Insider Tip
Rent a small 4x4 or jeep on day one, even though the island is tiny. Statia's best moments – the Quill crater rim hike, Venus Bay, the Botanical Garden on the windward side – all need a car, and the apartment's free parking means you can keep it right at your door instead of paying resort fees. Book the rental before you arrive; the island's fleet is small and gets thin in high season.
The Practical Stuff
Two-bedroom, one-bath, sleeps 4, with AC, full kitchen (fridge, stovetop, microwave, kettle, coffee maker), flat-screen TV, WiFi and free private parking. Check-in from 4:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM. Address: Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands). Roughly a 20-minute walk to Fort Oranje and a short drive to dive shops and trailheads; F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) is minutes away. Bring US dollars (the local currency) and a dive card if you're diving – the Statia National Marine Park fee is separate.
Pair It With
- Fort Oranje Guide — The 17th-century Dutch fort perched over the harbor – a 20-minute walk from the apartment and Statia's essential first stop for context and the classic Oranjestad view.
- The Quill volcano hike — A dormant volcano with a rainforest inside the crater – the island's signature half-day hike, easy to slot in before returning to the apartment to shower and cook.
- Scubaqua or Golden Rock Dive Center — Statia is a diver's island (Blue Bead wrecks, lava tubes, healthy reef); both shops are a short drive from Oranjestad and pair perfectly with a self-catering base.
- Berkel's Family Deli or Ocean View Terrace — For the nights you don't feel like cooking – classic Statian spots in Upper Town within easy reach of the apartment.
