Eustatia Island

Eustatia Island

Eustatia Island is a 30-acre volcanic island of the British Virgin Islands.

The word "Eustatia” is a Greek derived word meaning, “good place to stay.” The entire island, and a small neighbouring island, Saba Rock, are both under the same long term lease. The island is regularly featured and photographed for several publications and was listed as one to top 20 most beautiful islands in the world in the December 2004 issue of Islands magazine.

The island lies in the eastern section of the British Virgin Islands slightly to the north of Virgin Gorda and Prickly Pear and to the south of Necker Island.

Ownership

The island was purchased in 2000 by Mike Hahn, a financier and avid sailor who grew up on Lake Erie.

The island is leased by the Crown to a locally registered company, Eustatia Corporation, which lease includes neighbouring Saba Rock, a popular restaurant/bar/boutique hotel frequented by sailors, kiteboarders, musicians/actors and creative types. Though company ownership is a private matter in the islands, it is widely believed locally that the island is owned by Larry Page.

Geography

Eustatia Island shown in red

Eustatia Island is volcanic in origin and is approximately 30 acres in size, 620 yards long, 360 yards wide, with its highest point 210 feet above sea level. The terrain is hilly, but not as rugged as some of the BVI’s other islands with most of Eustatia being accessible by foot. Three white sand beaches are located on the island, with the main beach on the south, a smaller beach on the north side, and another beach on the southwest side of the island.

Surrounding Area

The North Sound area is considered to be the prime resort and yachting location in the BVI where mega yachts, celebrities and high-net-worth individuals come to enjoy the protected waters, water sports and access to a range of islands and resorts. The protected waters and anchorages combined with proximity to luxury resorts and services, as well as neighboring islands provide privacy and convenience.

The island overlooks Eustatia Sound, a body of water protected by the extensive Eustatia reef and separated from the North Sound area by a narrow gap within which lies Saba Rock. Eustatia Sound is generally off limits to charter boats and provides some of the best water sports activities in the islands. The steady trade winds blowing across the protected waters attract windsurfers and kite surfers, while the surrounding reefs provide safe snorkeling and diving waters.

Plants, Wildlife, Sea Life

A variety of tropical flora and fauna including, jasmine, hibiscus, bougainvillea, tamarind, frangipani, allemande, honey suckle, cacti and succulents are found throughout the island. One of the largest mature coconut palm plantations in the territory is located on the main beach of Eustatia Island. Bird species include sea gulls, pelicans, frigates, boobies, hummingbirds, and doves. Several species of lizards including wood slave, ground, saddleback, and man lizards are also regularly seen throughout the island.

Commonly seen in the surrounding water are a wide variety of reef fish including, grunts, parrotfish, trumpet, trigger, snapper, grouper, wrasse, damsel, porcupine and dozens of other species. Green, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill sea turtles are routinely spotted as are southern and spotted stingrays. Conch, lobster, crabs and other invertebrates are abundant.

Island Features

Within the owner’s 26 acre estate there is a three bedroom hilltop villa with pool and hot tub and sunrise and sunset views, a two bedroom villa on the beach nestled in a palm grove, and a three bedroom cottage. The estate has three white sand beaches, hiking trails, a mountain top pavilion and viewing decks, beach pavilion, and lounging pavilion. There are two additional private homes which share approximately four acres on the southwest tip of the island which are subleased. The island was carefully developed to keep it in a natural state.

History

During the Golden Age of Piracy the island has been rumoured to have been the haunt of pirates. North Sound served as an anchorage for pirates who would have used an “s” route through Eustatia Sound to gain access to the open waters of the Caribbean Sea to escape British ships blocking the entrance and exit to North Sound. This route required superior helming and intimate knowledge of the many shallow spots and cuts through the reefs in order to not run aground.

Outside links

• Location map: 18°30’36"N, 64°21’36"W