Travelling to St. Eustatius? Need Vaccinations?
Just slightly off the beaten path, peaceful St. Eustatius (affectionately called Statia) has escaped the fate of most neighbouring Caribbean islands, and still offers untrampled scenery, pristine coral reefs teeming with fish, and beaches you can call your own. What’s to do on this tiny jewel of an island? Visit the excellent Historical Museum or Old Fort Oranje, built in 1629, with its original cannons and bastions, high on a cliff affording a sweeping view of the waterfront. See the Botanical Gardens and the Marine Park, or find out what it’s like to experience the total relaxation of diving with schools of colourful fish on untouched coral reefs. Your first stop on your way to St. Eustatius should be a visit to our Travel Health Clinic, four to eight weeks before departure, so that you will be completely safe and up-to-date with the Vaccinations you need for St. Eustatius.
What Vaccinations do I need for Travel to St. Eustatius?
Travellers to St. Eustatius are generally advised the following vaccinations:
Diphtheria Vaccine (Given as the combined DTP Vaccine)
Tetanus Vaccine (Given as the combined DTP Vaccine)
Polio Vaccine (Given as the combined DTP Vaccine)
Typhoid Vaccination
In addition, depending upon your itinerary, where you are travelling, length of travel and your occupational and lifestyle risks, you may also require vaccinations for the following:
Have a look at our pricing table for information about the cost of the travel vaccinations required for St. Eustatius. If you are travelling further in the region, you may also wish to check what vaccinations you require for neighbouring countries in the Caribbean.
Further Travel Health Advice for St. Eustatius
Heat and Humidity
St. Eustatius has a dry, hot climate, and temperatures vary from 22 up to 31. It is important to protect your skin by using a good sun block lotion with SPF 20 or higher. Apply liberally and often. When snorkelling, take care to put extra sun block on your back. Stay hydrated throughout the day, and bring lots of water with you wherever you go in St. Eustatius.
Drinking Water
The tap water in St. Eustatius is considered safe to drink, however, bottled mineral water is widely available. Remember to drink often and whether it be water or fruit juices, replenish fluids throughout the day. Avoid ice cubes.
Food and Drink
You can expect a good selection of restaurants here, serving anything from the local Creole cuisine to International specialties, such as Cantonese and French, but it goes without saying that if you prefer fresh rather than imported, you might want to stay with seafood. Regional specialties include pickled conch (pronounced conk), spicy grilled fish, and lobster. Caribbean rums are imported here, since rum is no longer brewed in St. Eustatius, and most restaurants have a fair selection of wines. The beer of choice is, naturally, Heineken, called “a Greenie”.
Seeking Treatment Abroad
If you need health care in St. Eustatius, there is a good hospital in Oranjestad, as well as a private clinic. The standard of care is good, however, for more complicated medical procedures, many people travel to St. Maarten. Remember that you should arrange in advance to have enough money with you to pay for any health care you might need.
Travel and Health Insurance
Protect yourself, and your family, with comprehensive travel health insurance which will cover your intended itinerary and any potentially risky activities, such as snorkelling.
Personal Safety
There is virtually no crime on this little island, so aside from observing the normal precautions, visitors are very safe in St. Eustatius.