The allready beautiful wreck during the day: the Chien Tong transforms at night in orange fireworks as the cup coral polyps open to feed. Even more impressive are the vast numbers of enormous turtles who use the wreck as a hotel to sleep at night. Sometimes you have to pinch yourselve to believe what you see.

The origin of blue beads dates back to the 17th century. The Dutch West India Company used these beads (made in Amsterdam) to pay the slaves on Statia their ‘wages’. After emancipation, legends say the freed slaves gathered on the cliffs and threw their beads into the sea to celebrate their freedom. Blue Bead Hole is a dive site just between the old harbor and the colorful reefs on the Southern corner of the island. Here you’ll find a mix of coral heads, sand patches, and sea grass. And if you are lucky, a blue bead or two. Actually, according the legend, the beads find you not the other way around. Even without being found there is a good chance you will encounter quite a few amazing critters here. Pike and Sailfin Blennies, Scorpionfish, and Mantis Shrimp are all waiting to be found. The most sought after fish are the ‘Guardians of the Blue Beads’, Flying Gurnards. It’s no coincidence that the blue of the ‘Guardians’ fins perfectly matches the color of the beads!

Coral and sponges disguise the hidden ballast stones underneath. The amount and collection of artifacts here is out of this world; barrel hoops, wine bottles (often occupied by sail fin blennies), pottery, anchors and a cannon form the museums main collection.

Our favorite has to be the grappling hook we found though. A grappling hook is a device with multiple hooks (flukes), attached to a rope. Grappling hooks were used in naval warfare to catch ship rigging so that it could be boarded. What’s even more fascinating is that one of its flukes holds a human pelvic bone. Blackbeard himself maybe? Anne Bonny? The debate continues. Hundreds of yellow bricks are scattered over the ocean floor here as well, the same bricks made in Holland used to construct our historic building.

It is not just the history that makes this dive site unique. The marine life here is in a league of it’s own. Fingerprint cyphoma, octopus, squid, scorpion fish, seahorses and frogfish are all regulars at this underwater museum.

Scubaqua Dive Center is probably one of the most unique dive centers in the Caribbean. Half of our shop is housed in a beautiful historical building once occupied by the Dutch West India Trading Company. We completed a total renovation to meet the modern divers' needs without detracting from the historic appeal or 17th century charm of this landmark building. A full selection of retail merchandise and souvenirs along with dive and snorkel gear is available for purchase in our shop as well. A wide assortment of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is also available. So please feel free to kick back and soak up the Caribbean atmosphere with a cold drink on our terrace and enjoy the best view Statia has to offer. 

The view when you approach the 327 foot long Charles Brown wreck is spectacular. The huge wreck makes a killer dive on itself but when you add crystal clear water, hundreds of Horse Eye Jacks, Turtles, Sharks and a huge resident Barracuda - named Charlie - you understand why every diver visiting Sint Eustatius wants to dive here. The wreck stretches from 100 till 60 feet deep and is therefore suitable for less experienced divers as well - if you dare to look Charlie in his eyes that is!

Less famous but certainly not less spectacular is Charlie’s “little brother” the 170 feet long Chien Tong. Standing straight up in 70 feet of water in the protected Oranjestad bay this wreck is a magnet for juvenile turtles. Don’t miss the night dive on this wreck when the turtles mom’s and dad’s join in for a good night rest.