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Dive Review of Golden Rock Dive Center in
St. Eustatius/Netherlands Antilles

Golden Rock Dive Center: "Out of the way dive destination. Wonderful.", Nov, 2022,

by Jane E Anderson, AR, US ( 1 report). Report 12242.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I have mixed feelings about writing this review. Do I really want to help let this secret get out? Statia has remarkably healthy coral and superb aquatic species diversity. I find new-to-me species almost every day. I compare it Little Cayman if LC had only 2 boats going out per day instead of a dozen.

Statia is an island between Saba and St. Kitts that has been overlooked by Industrial Tourism. No cruise ships. No mega hotels. No golf. Laws protecting aquatic resources are strict enough to discourage even liveabords. The resulting dives are a joy.

I urge anyone considering Statia to read/listen to its surprising and important history: [en.wikipedia.org link] or [amazon.com link]. Some dives feature a treasure hunt for historical artifacts that litter the bottom.

Golden Rock Dive Center is run by a charming young couple who, with their 2 dive masters, have a competent and cheerful operation that is best for individuals, dive buddies and small groups. They will coordinate with hotels (Recommend the Old Gin House on the ocean side) and put together a dive trip package for you. [goldenrockdive.com link] They are located on the dock at Gallows bay and surface intervals are taken there. Boat rides to dive sites are short.

Other things to do include hiking the dormant volcano, The Quill; investigating the museum and fort, strolling the old town. Not much in the way of shopping. There is a botanical garden. Many options for food but some you have to walk a ways to. Rooms at the Old Gin House include breakfast.

For November/Dec., the water temp is 82 degrees. Air temp is 79-82 degrees.
Websites Golden Rock Dive Center   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Caribbean. Pacific.
Closest Airport EUX Getting There To Sint Maarten, then connect on WINAIR to EUX

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 82-82°F / 28-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-90 Ft/ 18-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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