Page 570 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

M ACRO: These dives are very popular them ended up in the sand at about 60′ or the challenge will be to see what you can
with underwater photographers and 18m in the middle of the harbor. So while remember after the dive. Turtles, rays, eels
and every fish you can think of are com-
divers who enjoy the smaller and more unu- some people are looking for the small stuff mon. • Aquarium • Dooby’s crack

sual marine life. Glenn, a photo nut himself, others like looking for the beads which is B OULDER SLIDES: Found on the north
end of Statia are near shore where the
has spent years shooting the multitude of the only artifact that if found can be kept cliffs are very steep. Boulders the sizes of
small cars have rolled down over the centu-
sea creatures that call this area home and by visitors. The locals say once you find a ries and became coral and sponge havens
with all kinds of nooks and crannies where
has developed techniques for getting them bead you will always come back to Statia. • marine stuff likes to hide. These sites are
weather sensitive but when you hit it right
to come out and put on a show. Some of Blue Bead Hole sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and sometimes
manta rays can be enjoyed. • North Point •
the favorites are the Pike Blennies, Sail Fin Gibraltar • Normans Nose
IBlennies, Flying Gurnards, Pipe fish, Mantis
SOLATED ROCK OURCROPPINGS: Formed
shrimp, decorator crabs, etc. The macro dive during the violent times when the vol-

site we dive most is called the Blue Bead cano was active with rocky ridges popping

Hole which is an entire other story itself. out of the sand. These sites are special as

Blue Beads or ‘trading beads’ were made in they are in a sand field so any life in the

the early 1700′s for trade with indigenous area will congregate on them for cover,

people around the world. They are a well cleaning, and food. The abundance of ma-

known part of Statia’s history, and some of rine life on these sites is overwhelming and