Sunny Day Market
A neighborhood grocery stop beneath Statia's White Wall
Why Go
Tucked into the quiet residential stretch below the dramatic White Wall limestone cliff, Sunny Day Market is the kind of small island grocery where you swing by for cold drinks, pantry basics, and a quick chat before heading back out to hike The Quill or dive the Aquarium.
The Experience
Sunny Day Market is a compact, locally run retail shop serving Oranjestad's south-side neighborhoods on Sint Eustatius. Expect a straightforward island grocery experience: shelves of dry goods, a cooler wall stacked with sodas, water and local beer, snacks for the road, and a rotating selection of household basics. It's not a boutique or a fancy deli - it's a practical stop that visitors staying in nearby apartments and dive lodges lean on when the bigger supermarkets in town are closed or when you just need one more bottle of water before a Quill hike. The pace is unhurried, staff know their regulars, and prices are typical for Statia's import-heavy economy.
What to Try
Grab a cold Carib or Heineken and a bag of local snacks (plantain chips, tamarind sweets) for a sunset picnic at the White Wall viewpoint. Stock up on bottled water and electrolyte drinks before diving with the Statia National Marine Park or hiking to The Quill's crater rim - dehydration sneaks up fast in the trade-wind sun. If you're self-catering at a nearby apartment, pick up eggs, bread, coffee and a few tinned staples to cover breakfast.
Insider Tip
Small Statia markets keep island hours - many close for a long midday break and shut early on Sundays. Ask about the day's fresh-bread or produce delivery (usually tied to the twice-weekly cargo boat from St. Maarten); the shelves are fullest within a day of the ship coming in, and thinnest just before the next arrival. Bring small US dollar bills or a few euros - card readers on Statia can be temperamental when the internet dips.
The Practical Stuff
Located on White Wall, Oranjestad, on the south side of Sint Eustatius, an easy 5-10 minute drive from the town center and F.D. Roosevelt Airport. Parking is informal roadside. Cash (USD is the local currency on Statia) is the safest bet; some card payment may be available but expect occasional outages. Hours vary - typical island convenience-store pattern of morning through early evening with a possible midday pause, and reduced hours on Sundays. No dedicated website; call ahead or ask your accommodation host to confirm opening times.
Pair It With
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — Perfect self-catering base a short walk away - stock up here for breakfasts and sunset drinks on the terrace.
- Baby Beach Guide — Grab cold drinks and snacks before heading to this quiet south-coast beach for a low-key swim and picnic.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Load up on water and electrolytes before a boat dive at one of Statia's signature reef sites.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — Pick up picnic supplies for a shaded break in this local park between sightseeing stops.
