The Quill
Sint Eustatius · Sint Eustatius · 601 m
Description
The Quill is the dormant volcano that fills the southern half of Sint Eustatius and gives the island its outline. The name comes from the Dutch word for pit and refers to the crater, which sits six hundred metres up and holds a rainforest inside its walls. A marked trail climbs from the edge of Oranjestad to the rim in about an hour, and a second path drops into the crater among giant silk cotton trees, orchids and land crabs. The rim continues to Mazinga, the highest point, with views across to Saba and Saint Kitts. The whole mountain is a national park.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Quill Trail to the crater rim
- Rainforest on the crater floor
- Mazinga summit and the view to Saba and Saint Kitts
- Giant silk cotton trees in the crater
- The White Wall limestone slab
- Around the Mountain Trail
- Lesser Antillean iguanas
- Orchids and bromeliads on the rim
- Land crabs on the crater paths
- Bird watching for tropicbirds and hummingbirds