In order for the park to close at 5p, they give you strict instructions before you enter.  You have to start your hike up Brandaris mountain before 12n, you have to leave Wayaka Beaches by 330p, and you have to leave Boka & Salina Slagbaai by 4p. So, with that in mind, we headed to the park early to begin our hike in the cool morning hours.  I say “cool” and mean it was in the mid-80’s.  The hike is 241 meters or 748′ and is the highest peak on Bonaire.  It takes about 45 minutes one way and is considered to be a medium difficult level hike.

At the start of our hike up Mountain Brandaris.

In the middle of our hike, I have fallen behind.

The majority of the hike is what we would consider fairly easy, nice dirt path with a few rocks, ditches, tree limbs to climb over.  It wasn’t until we got to the last 10% of the hike that it got challenging.  You had to crawl up large boulders and skirt around large rock formations, some times on all fours. Matt and I stopped just short of the top as I was exhausted, but Wayne made it all the way up and said it was really pretty, but very windy.

I’m cooling off while enjoying the view.

Very different landscape from other islands, but still beautiful.

View of the salt flats from up above.

After we scurried down, we headed straight for Wayaka Beach as a dip in the ocean was earned by all.  We headed to Wayaka II as that is supposed to be the best dive/snorkel spot.  It sure was a pretty site with a wide variety of fish, crystal clear waters, and a health reef.

Panorama photo of Wayaka Beach Snorkel II spot.

Well deserved rest in the picture perfect water.

Home of some of the most colorful and large fish in the sea.

Now that we were cooled off, we headed out of the park.  We wanted to stop by the 1,000 steps snorkel spot before we made it back to the boat.  On the “road” in to 1,000 steps, you have to laugh as it is a road wide enough for one car with a cliff on one side and rock formations on the other, but it is a two-way street.  On the way, you will see these great signs that have been modified to represent the true dangers.

Modified diver crossing sign.

Original pedestrian crossing sign. You never see peds crossing the street here.

As I mentioned in a prior post, there are not really 1,000 steps down to the beach – thank goodness!  There are only 72, but they are steep.  Matt stayed at the top and captured some fun shots from up above.

Mr. Iggy greeting us at 1,000 steps entrance.

Everyone looks good in this breathtaking water.

This is by far the best snorkeling we have ever seen!  It has the widest variety of fish and absolutely gorgeous formations of star coral. These have grown into high rising pagoda-like structures whose hollow cores provide homes for many reef creatures. Matt and I were lucky enough to see a beautiful manta ray with a 20′ wing span which was an absolute joy to behold, too bad we did not have our camera or go pro.  There were huge schools of tangs, large puffers, turtles, and sting rays.  It is certainly worth coming back to again and again and again!.

After our big hike and two long swims, we were exhausted so we headed back to the boat.  We showered, had a snack and decided to head back to Karel’s for happy hour.

Another gorgeous sunset with Sugar Shack. Photo taken from Karel’s Bar.