Eustatia Island
Encyclopedia
Eustatia Island is a 30 acre volcanic island
of the British Virgin Islands
(BVI) in the Caribbean
. The word "Eustatia” is a Greek derived word meaning, “good place to stay.” The entire island, and a small neighboring island, Saba Rock, are both under the same long term lease. The Lessor is the Government of the BVI and the Lessee is a BVI corporation owned by a private individual. 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.
Gorda and Prickly Pear
and to the south of Necker Island
. The BVI are a group of islands located approximately 1,100 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, 60 miles dues east of Puerto Rico and about 120 miles northeast of St. Barts.
While the months of September-November tend to receive the greatest accumulations of rain, there is no official “rainy season”. Squalls tend to be intermittent, short lasting, but fairly intense. Relative humidity typically ranges from 60-80%.
Hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30th with the statistical peak in mid September. The last hurricane to hit Eustatia was August 30th, 2010, when Hurricane Earl brushed the area as a Category 4 hurricane. Prior to Hurricane Earl, no direct strikes had occurred since the 1990s.
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 make Eustatia Sound a windsurfing and kite surfing mecca, while the surrounding reefs provide plenty of opportunities for safe snorkeling and diving.
On Virgin Gorda, the Bitter End Yacht Club offers open air dining through three distinct venues, a 25 slip marina and one of the best known water sports centers in the Caribbean . Saba Rock Island Resort features a 10 deep water slip marina, rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, nautical museum and salt water tank with sea life. The 140 acre Biras Creek Resort has 31 suites, a marina, a restaurant and 5 star rated services. The Leverick Bay Resort and Marina is situated in the western end of North Sound and offers rooms and suites, full service dock, a 15 slip marina, restaurant, bar and grill, fishing and dive tours, gift shop and nautical gallery . Prickly Pear Island, a designated National Park, features a number of beaches and hiking trails. Necker Island, a world famous Virgin Limited Edition luxury retreat, and Mosquito Island, are both owned by British billionaire, Sir Richard Branson.
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 Hawksbills sea turtles are routinely spotted as are southern and spotted stingrays. Conch, lobster, crabs and other invertebrates are abundant.
Over the years, Eustatia Island has been rented to very high profile guests where complete anonymity and privacy are required. The private island rental policy requires that staff adhere to very strict standards to ensure that even the presence of clientele is kept completely confidential and that no other details are disclosed.
Eustatia Island has a private fleet of yachts available for charter, most notably, a San Juan 38 luxury motor cruiser, a Friendship 42 sailing yacht, and a Pursuit 3070 center console deep sea fishing vessel. An on- site water sports center reserved for guests only has Hobie cats, kayaks, paddle boards, as well as fishing , snorkeling, kite boarding and other water sports equipment.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
(BVI) in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The word "Eustatia” is a Greek derived word meaning, “good place to stay.” The entire island, and a small neighboring island, Saba Rock, are both under the same long term lease. The Lessor is the Government of the BVI and the Lessee is a BVI corporation owned by a private individual. 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.
Location
Eustatia Island is located at latitude 18.41 north and longitude 64.22 west in the eastern section of the British Virgin Islands slightly to the north of Virgin GordaVirgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda is the third-largest and second most populous of the British Virgin Islands . Located at approximately 18 degrees, 48 minutes North, and 64 degrees, 30 minutes West, it covers an area of about...
Gorda and Prickly Pear
Prickly Pear (British Virgin Islands)
Prickly Pear is an island of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It is uninhabited but has a beach bar and recreational water sports facility on it...
and to the south of Necker Island
Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)
Necker Island is a small island in the British Virgin Islands just north of Virgin Gorda, located at . All of the land on the island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, famous for his Virgin brand, and it is part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of luxury properties...
. The BVI are a group of islands located approximately 1,100 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, 60 miles dues east of Puerto Rico and about 120 miles northeast of St. Barts.
Climate
Similar to neighboring islands, Eustatia has fresh trade winds, warm year round ambient and water temperatures, and over 300 days of sunshine per year. Trade winds tend to average 10-15 knots from the east northeast. Ambient temperatures range from average day time highs of 85F-90F in the summer to 80F-85F in the winter. Lows average 80F to 75F respectively. Water temperatures are warm year round with the coolest being 77F in the winter to a high 85F in the summer.While the months of September-November tend to receive the greatest accumulations of rain, there is no official “rainy season”. Squalls tend to be intermittent, short lasting, but fairly intense. Relative humidity typically ranges from 60-80%.
Hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30th with the statistical peak in mid September. The last hurricane to hit Eustatia was August 30th, 2010, when Hurricane Earl brushed the area as a Category 4 hurricane. Prior to Hurricane Earl, no direct strikes had occurred since the 1990s.
Geography
Eustatia Island is volcanic in origin and is approximately 30 acres in size, 1,870 feet (0.35 miles) in length, 1,020 feet (0.2 miles) in width and is 210 feet in elevation. 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 make Eustatia Sound a windsurfing and kite surfing mecca, while the surrounding reefs provide plenty of opportunities for safe snorkeling and diving.
On Virgin Gorda, the Bitter End Yacht Club offers open air dining through three distinct venues, a 25 slip marina and one of the best known water sports centers in the Caribbean . Saba Rock Island Resort features a 10 deep water slip marina, rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, nautical museum and salt water tank with sea life. The 140 acre Biras Creek Resort has 31 suites, a marina, a restaurant and 5 star rated services. The Leverick Bay Resort and Marina is situated in the western end of North Sound and offers rooms and suites, full service dock, a 15 slip marina, restaurant, bar and grill, fishing and dive tours, gift shop and nautical gallery . Prickly Pear Island, a designated National Park, features a number of beaches and hiking trails. Necker Island, a world famous Virgin Limited Edition luxury retreat, and Mosquito Island, are both owned by British billionaire, Sir Richard Branson.
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 BVI 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 Hawksbills sea turtles are routinely spotted as are southern and spotted stingrays. Conch, lobster, crabs and other invertebrates are abundant.
Private Island Rental
The owner’s 26 acre estate within the island has been available for rent selectively on a limited basis to a discriminating few. The estate has two villas for guests but, if need be, an additional cottage normally used for staff can also be made available to accommodate larger parties. While 10 guests is an ideal number, a maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated. Beginning in the fall of 2010 the island rental will be more broadly marketed. Introductory rates range from $52,000 to $87,360 per week for two villas or a single villa ranging from $25,000 to $55,216 per week depending on the villa and time of year. Guests have full use of the estate and amenities. Eustatia is one of three private island rentals currently available in the BVI.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.Privacy
While islands and resorts may be privately owned or leased, British Virgin Islands law mandates that all beaches up to the high water mark are Crown land and therefore open to the public. Reaching most islands in the area can only be done by boat or by private helicopter so the beaches on the few privately owned islands in the area have very limited access.Over the years, Eustatia Island has been rented to very high profile guests where complete anonymity and privacy are required. The private island rental policy requires that staff adhere to very strict standards to ensure that even the presence of clientele is kept completely confidential and that no other details are disclosed.
Sustainability
All of the homes on the island utilize an extensive solar system which provides the island with 100 percent of its electrical requirements through solar conversion. Water requirements are fully sustainable. Water is collected through rainfall, filtered and used for drinking and bathing requirements. An organic sewage treatment process recycles gray water into landscaping. Most furnishings were selected from recycled or sustainable wood species. Light fixtures were salvaged from old naval vessels.Activities
The area is internationally recognized for sailing and water sports activities. Sailing, SCUBA and snorkeling, windsurfing, kite boarding, surfing, deep sea fishing, fly fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, and power boating are available.Eustatia Island has a private fleet of yachts available for charter, most notably, a San Juan 38 luxury motor cruiser, a Friendship 42 sailing yacht, and a Pursuit 3070 center console deep sea fishing vessel. An on- site water sports center reserved for guests only has Hobie cats, kayaks, paddle boards, as well as fishing , snorkeling, kite boarding and other water sports equipment.