Mount Brandaris
Mount Brandaris
4.5
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Near the northwestern shore, the peak is a good place to take in the sweep of the island and the curve of the Caribbean horizon.
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4.5
36 reviews
Excellent
21
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14
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1
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0
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0
Marcy A
Houston, TX233 contributions
Feb 2023
This was an excellent hike. It took us 1 hr to ascend and 45 minutes to descend. There were 22 mi/hr winds at the steep park. Very challenging but worth it. The views are fantastic. A must-do for hikers.
Written 1 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaltyKansan
Kansas1,686 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Go, but go Early! A very fun and fairly short hike, taking us about 2 hours at a medium pace. The sign at the beginning of the trail recommends 1 liter of water, and I would confirm. After you get to the rocks, the breeze is improved but the shade is less. We went snorkeling in the park after, it was a fantastic trip! The road in and out is arduous, so plan on going slow.
Written 1 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumphius
Damariscotta, Maine3 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
I'm writing this review to give the first time visitor information on how to visit the highlights of Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire because visiting this park requires some advance planning.
We are an active, outdoors family traveling with children ages 11 and 16.
When you visit Bonaire, the main attraction is the diving/snorkeling on the island. You must pay a nature fee for the Bonaire National Marine Park in order to dive/snorkel around the island. The fee is US $25 for divers and $10 for non-divers. But if you are planning to visit Washington-Slagbaai National Park the full $25 diver fee includes admission to the park. If you paid the non-diver fee of $10, you have to pay another $15 at the gate. So if you are planning to visit the park and are snorkeling/not diving, you might as well pay the full $25 nature fee up front. To get to the park you must drive through the town of Rincon. When you arrive at the entrance of the park, you must show the receipt of the nature pass and photo ID. Photocopies of passport/driver's license are acceptable if you don't want to carry them with you. If you are paying the fee at the gate, credit cards are accepted.
At the entrance, there is a small but nice and comprehensive museum to give you the history of the island and information about the flora, fauna and marine life.
There are 2 one way routes through the park, the long route (34km) and the short route (24km). The road is a dirt/gravelly road that is best travelled via a truck/SUV driving about 20 km/hr or slower most of the way. The long route takes 2 1/2hours and the short route takes 1 1/2hours. But a whole day should be reserved to visit the park in order to enjoy the sights. Once you leave the gate/entrance area, there are no services along the way until you reach Boka Slagbaai where there are restrooms. It is also hot, high desert. So make sure you pack plenty of water and food.
We took the shorter route to hike Mt Brandaris. You cannot take the long route and summit Brandaris on the same trip because the roads are one way and there are time limits the park imposes to see the sights. It is best to get to the park in the morning if hiking up Mt Brandaris to avoid the hottest part of the day. The last entry time the park allows hikers up Mt. Brandaris is 12p. You will definitely want to get to the trailhead long before that because it gets very hot. The first part of the hike is easy on a loose gravel and dirt trail through cacti and scrub. There are goats, iguanas and lizards along the trail. The last 1/3 of the hike is up hill scrambling through rocks and boulders until you get to the summit (241m/784ft). The summit is mostly bare rock and quite windy with full sun exposure. You have great views overlooking the sea, salt marshes and desert. The return hike is on the same trail. There is a lot of loose rocks and gravel on the way down which makes the return a little precarious. But with decent walking shoes, a fairly fit person should have no trouble. Plan on 2 hours to do the hike which leaves ample time to enjoy the summit. Continue along the short route to Wayaka II beach. There are some steps that lead down to a small sand beach with caves and great snorkeling. The park allows you to stay until 3:30p at Wayaka. Afterwards, take a stop at Boka Slagbaai to see flamingos and snorkel some more. There are restrooms here. Departure from Boka Slagbaai must be by 4p. From Boka Slagbaai, it is about 45min. to the exit.
We did not do the long route but hopefully will check that out on another visit. But if you want to combine a great hike and snorkeling, this is a great day outing for the family.
We are an active, outdoors family traveling with children ages 11 and 16.
When you visit Bonaire, the main attraction is the diving/snorkeling on the island. You must pay a nature fee for the Bonaire National Marine Park in order to dive/snorkel around the island. The fee is US $25 for divers and $10 for non-divers. But if you are planning to visit Washington-Slagbaai National Park the full $25 diver fee includes admission to the park. If you paid the non-diver fee of $10, you have to pay another $15 at the gate. So if you are planning to visit the park and are snorkeling/not diving, you might as well pay the full $25 nature fee up front. To get to the park you must drive through the town of Rincon. When you arrive at the entrance of the park, you must show the receipt of the nature pass and photo ID. Photocopies of passport/driver's license are acceptable if you don't want to carry them with you. If you are paying the fee at the gate, credit cards are accepted.
At the entrance, there is a small but nice and comprehensive museum to give you the history of the island and information about the flora, fauna and marine life.
There are 2 one way routes through the park, the long route (34km) and the short route (24km). The road is a dirt/gravelly road that is best travelled via a truck/SUV driving about 20 km/hr or slower most of the way. The long route takes 2 1/2hours and the short route takes 1 1/2hours. But a whole day should be reserved to visit the park in order to enjoy the sights. Once you leave the gate/entrance area, there are no services along the way until you reach Boka Slagbaai where there are restrooms. It is also hot, high desert. So make sure you pack plenty of water and food.
We took the shorter route to hike Mt Brandaris. You cannot take the long route and summit Brandaris on the same trip because the roads are one way and there are time limits the park imposes to see the sights. It is best to get to the park in the morning if hiking up Mt Brandaris to avoid the hottest part of the day. The last entry time the park allows hikers up Mt. Brandaris is 12p. You will definitely want to get to the trailhead long before that because it gets very hot. The first part of the hike is easy on a loose gravel and dirt trail through cacti and scrub. There are goats, iguanas and lizards along the trail. The last 1/3 of the hike is up hill scrambling through rocks and boulders until you get to the summit (241m/784ft). The summit is mostly bare rock and quite windy with full sun exposure. You have great views overlooking the sea, salt marshes and desert. The return hike is on the same trail. There is a lot of loose rocks and gravel on the way down which makes the return a little precarious. But with decent walking shoes, a fairly fit person should have no trouble. Plan on 2 hours to do the hike which leaves ample time to enjoy the summit. Continue along the short route to Wayaka II beach. There are some steps that lead down to a small sand beach with caves and great snorkeling. The park allows you to stay until 3:30p at Wayaka. Afterwards, take a stop at Boka Slagbaai to see flamingos and snorkel some more. There are restrooms here. Departure from Boka Slagbaai must be by 4p. From Boka Slagbaai, it is about 45min. to the exit.
We did not do the long route but hopefully will check that out on another visit. But if you want to combine a great hike and snorkeling, this is a great day outing for the family.
Written 20 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CookFamilyTravelers
Providenciales23 contributions
July 2016 • Family
This was a lot of fun but it wasn't a hike at all. The first part of the trail is along the road. That's about as close to a hike as you get. Once you start to climb up the mountain, there is no trail at all. You are just jumping from rock to rock. There are trail markers along the way so you can easily figure out which way to go. The climb is short and there are two places at the top to admire the beautiful views. It is great fun if you are in great shape and you have hiking boots or other suitable footwear on. Plan to arrive early to avoid the afternoon heat. Afterwards, take a scenic drive through the park and stop along the way to snorkel at the various beaches located inside the park. The long route is best but remember the roads are dirt roads and you need an off road vehicle to traverse the park comfortably. If you just drive through the park, it will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. To make the most of the park, bring along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Hike, snorkel, swim, and sightsee. Inside the park there is only one place to get food and use the restrooms so plan accordingly.
Written 29 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness37301
Chicago, IL6 contributions
dont try this in flip flops with your purse. you need real shoes and a backpack.
Dont leave anything in your car anywhere on Bonaire.
Dont leave anything in your car anywhere on Bonaire.
Written 9 December 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MvdK01
Heemstede, The Netherlands779 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Don't go here on your flip flops, you will not make it to the summit and the walk will be dangerous. The walk is sometimes steep, take care of the sharp cactus pins on the way and you have to be in a good condition. Bring enough water on this 2 hour journey. Once on top of the Brandaris you will enjoy the 360' view. Worth the effort !
Written 9 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PokerCPA
Caribbean272 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
We have been coming to Bonaire for 17 years and have never hiked Brandaris. A lot of people that we know that have lived on the island haven't either. Well, it was pretty easy at first but as you get to the bottom of the mountain, it is almost like rock climbing! I really enjoyed it but there are some steep parts and if you are not careful you could really hurt yourself. This is something that I am glad I did but "been there, done that" and I do not need to do it again! Go early or else they won't let you go in to hike it after 12. I would say that an hour in and an hour out is about right.
Written 13 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan C
Stratham, NH94 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
But this hike is not for the faint of heart or ill prepared. Hiked to the top in about 45 minutes, fast pace, no stopping. You will need good shoes. The entire trail is rocky, last part is steep and exposed. Hot, make sure you bring at least a pint of water. Hike down takes almost as long. This is not the place to sprain your ankle. Views from the top are wonderful.
Road through the park is quite rough, you will be going 20 km/h max. Don't rush it, enjoy the flamingoes, iguanas, desolate desert landscape.
Road through the park is quite rough, you will be going 20 km/h max. Don't rush it, enjoy the flamingoes, iguanas, desolate desert landscape.
Written 1 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JMblowingbubbles
Cedar Park, TX94 contributions
Dec 2019
We climbed to the top and although diving was our favorite activity on the island, this ranked a close 2nd. It requires good shoes and isn’t for those who aren’t normally physically active but the view from the top is well worth the climb. (The end is truly a climb! It’s on steep rocks, some loose and going back down was also challenging, possibly more so than going up.) There’s little shade along the way and gets rather warm, so be sure to take water with you.
Written 18 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chair75
Appleton, WI35 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
It is recommended that you climb this Mountain before noon in order to make it back through the park. It's along the long road. We started out at 11:55 am. We used walking sticks and were glad we did. It's a rough and steep climb and sometimes not the easiest to see the arrows to know you are going the right way. There are loose rocks and it's very windy.
It's nice once you get up to the top. The harder part is coming down by following the arrows. My husband was ahead of me and heard me slip and fall. Luckily I didn't fall very far or hit very hard.
We did get lost on the way down. We made it back by about 3:15. About 5 minutes later, the ranger came by and told us get out now! We tried to stop at one more place, but the ranger was following us and was making sure we took the road out. The rangers check your license plate and make sure to compare it to their records as you are leaving so that they know whose left in the park that needs to close by 5.
We would recommend this if you like to climb and have closed toed shoes on.
It's nice once you get up to the top. The harder part is coming down by following the arrows. My husband was ahead of me and heard me slip and fall. Luckily I didn't fall very far or hit very hard.
We did get lost on the way down. We made it back by about 3:15. About 5 minutes later, the ranger came by and told us get out now! We tried to stop at one more place, but the ranger was following us and was making sure we took the road out. The rangers check your license plate and make sure to compare it to their records as you are leaving so that they know whose left in the park that needs to close by 5.
We would recommend this if you like to climb and have closed toed shoes on.
Written 19 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HenrySusan H
Nashville, Tennessee
We climbed Mount Christoffel on Curacao last year. We found it wonderful but very strenuous. My wife and I are in our mid-60s. Has anyone climbed both Christoffel and Brandaris and can give us an idea of how difficult Brandaris is compared to Christoffel? Thanks.
Written 22 June 2022
We climbed the steps of Hooiberg on Aruba and were looking to climb this one as well, how much is trail and how much is climbing? Is it leisurely or more like a workout? Are the steep part like staircase steep or more vertical? Sorry for so many questions, just want to be prepared lol
Written 24 October 2019
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