GRAMVA Enterprises: Statia's Go-To Fuel & Road-Trip Pit Stop
Family-run fuel station and automotive shop that's kept Statia rolling since 2000.
Why Go
On an island with no public buses and one road that loops the volcano, your rental Jeep's fuel gauge becomes surprisingly important — and everyone from dive guides to hotel shuttles points you to the same place on Faeschweg when the needle dips.
The Experience
GRAMVA sits just outside Oranjestad's Lower Town on Faeschweg, a short roll from the harbor road and the airport turn-off. Pull up under the canopy and you'll find a straightforward, no-frills island fuel station where the attendants know most of the license plates by heart. What sets it apart is the attached shop: batteries, tires, engine oil, filters, plus a growing selection of tools and home-goods that has turned it into a de facto general store for residents. Managing Director Anthonie Hooker built the business from a single pump in 2000 into one of the island's most recognized local enterprises — it's the kind of place where a quick fill-up often turns into a five-minute chat about the swell at Zeelandia or which trail up the Quill is muddiest today.
What to Try
Top up your rental before heading south toward White Wall or north to Venus Bay — fuel stops on Statia are limited, so plan the tank around the loop, not the other way around. If you're staying longer than a weekend, grab a spare jerry can, a bottle of engine oil, or a set of jumper cables here rather than paying to ship them in. The shop is also a handy stop for household basics if your villa or apartment turns out to be missing a hose clamp, a bucket, or a fresh set of wiper blades before rainy-season squalls.
Insider Tip
Fuel up early. Statia island hours are relaxed, and if you're planning a sunrise hike up The Quill or an early boat trip, you don't want to discover the pumps aren't running yet. Locals also know that paying with cash keeps things moving — card systems on the island can be temperamental after storms, and having small USD or NAf bills on hand avoids the awkward wait.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Faeschweg z/n, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands). Phone: +599-318-3041. Getting there: 5-minute drive from F.D. Roosevelt Airport (FEA) or a short walk uphill from the Lower Town harbor. Parking is on-site at the pumps. Payment: cash (USD widely accepted) is safest; card acceptance varies. Best for: rental-car top-ups, automotive supplies, and last-minute hardware runs before exploring the island.
Pair It With
- Baby Beach Guide — A quiet, undeveloped stretch of sand a short drive away — an easy first stop once you've topped off the tank.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — One of Statia's signature reefs; fuel up here before meeting your dive operator for the boat ride out.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — A relaxed community green space nearby, handy for a stretch-your-legs break between errands and exploring.
