Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius Cruise Port

When you imagine cruising to the Netherlands, the small town of Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius should be at the top of your list. The capital of the island of Sint Eustatius (also called Statia by locals) within the Caribbean Netherlands, Oranjestad includes a historic harbor and fort that have been around since the 17th century. While it was once a bustling seaport for merchants used by the Dutch, Europeans, and American colonies, this dropped off sharply around 1796 when the French took over the island. Oranjestad and its 1,000 residents contain the island's government, as well as most of the facilities. In fact, many travel from nearby Saint Kitts to enjoy less expensive food imports. Divided into an Upper Town and Lower Town, this is the place to go for a low-key Caribbean getaway. Here are some of our favorite experiences for the cruise port of Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius:

Fort Oranje is the main historical attraction in town. Built by the British in 1703, it replaced the wooden fort erected in 1629. You can tour the cannons and triple bastions while enjoying the amazing view of the bay from its cobblestone walks.
Since a large part of the island is nature, there's no better way to explore it than at Quill/Boven National Park. The first official national park of the Netherlands Antilles and a protected nature preserve, there's a large diversity of plant and animal life here. You’ll also find the dormant volcano called The Quill and its limestone formation called The Wall. The network of trails around the park let you choose the difficulty level of your hike.
The Sint Eustatius Museum is located in the center of Oranjestad and includes prehistoric archaeology and artefacts from the days when the island was dubbed "The Golden Rock." You'll also find other pieces showcasing the island’s Jewish community, along with nautical and colonial relics.
Despite being a Caribbean island, it doesn't have the endless beaches that others do. If you're looking for sun and sand, Oranjestad Beach is a pleasant place for a swim and to find nesting sea turtles.

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