Brisk Island

Brisk Island is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and travelers alike. The tiny island, located in the Dutch Caribbean, is home to more than 1,000 species of bird, including the world’s smallest parrot. It also boasts a lush rainforest, pristine coral reefs, and a variety of other exotic plants and animals. With so much to see and do, Brisk Island is sure to captivate anyone who visits!

History

Brisk Island first came into existence over 50 million years ago, as part of a volcanic island chain that formed in the Caribbean. The current island was formed more than 10,000 years ago by rising ocean levels and is now just 4.6 hectares (11 acres) in size.

Today, Brisk Island is managed by the Dutch government as an ecologically-sensitive nature reserve. Visitors are welcome to explore the stunning natural beauty of this lush tropical paradise, but must do so responsibly. The island is restricted to foot traffic only and visitors must stay on the trails in order to protect fragile areas of vegetation – including endangered species like Ace’s helmeted hatsheer (pictured above). Visitors are allowed access to four main trail destinations: Sintra House National Park, Cod Rock Nature Reserve (see below), Ingenuity Island Commando Training Centre and Cable Beach Cave Trails.

Climate

Brisk Island is mainly made up of tropical rainforest, which receives abundant amounts of rainfall year-round. During the dry season, when temperatures drop below 28° Celsius (82° Fahrenheit), growth rates are greatly reduced and land fauna moves elsewhere to survive – making Brisk an ideal time to explore some stunning plant life! As luck would have it, this natural phenomenon makes the island a fantastic birding hotspot as well.

Culture

With its lush natural beauty and cultural heritage, Brisk Island is a real treasure trove of resources. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists on site, artifacts dating back as far as 7 500 years have been recovered by archaeologists – including stone tools and ancient pottery shards that provide evidence of life before the arrival of Europeans. Just like this Mesolithic quarry worker’s axe (pictured below), these artefacts are thought to date from some 2 800-3 200 years ago.

Politics

Brisk Island is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated as the Cod Rock Nature Reserve in 1987. The area’s unique treasures have promoted its name to be used at international summits and locations – from the British Parliament (Cod Rock) to Singapore’s Parliament House (cod rock hill) . In 2004, Brisk Island was also named Regional Integrated Coastal Zone Management Area – protecting it from development for over 100 years!

Government services

Brisk Island is governed by a board of community representatives who own and operate the property on behalf of Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines .

Discover more about Brisk Island Special Area Management in our fact sheet. Eco facts

Tipping is always allowed when tour guides are present, a 5% service charge applies at other times. The fees cover costs associated with providing the opportunity to visit Brisk Island. For more information on eco-tourism and its benefits see our fact sheet here .

Tourism

Brisk Island Special Area Management is a gold-standard eco-tourism destination. The whole island has been fully protected and minimises any impact on natural resources or ecosystems, ensuring sustainability of the wildlife which use it now – as well as preserving historical sites for future generations.

FACTS & FIGURES: 5600 hectares (11 500 acres) 7500 years old ‘sunk’ coastline 2 times bigger than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef 10 000 hectares of open, undeveloped coastline Wildlife 4-5 times greater than most similar nature reserves 6 types of threatened sea turtles and marine life 800 plant species including 270 endemic to Australia 1 record ‘rock concert’ by more than 500 humpback whales in the area A diverse range o f birds 350 million shellfish have invaded Brisk Island Cod Rock Nature Reserve formed.

Transport

The island is accessible by plane from Brisbane, Cairns or Townsville. Cruise ships also stop at the nearby port of Cooktown. Boat Cruises are an affordable way to see some of the best scenery, without all the hassle. See our list for our preferred accommodation providers.

Brisbane Jetty & Cruise Ships: Located just a few hundred metres from Stanley, Brisk Island is easily accessed by air – or attached via 4WD (Evening cruise only). Our Marina in Cooktown offers luxury fully serviced hand picked spots on the Great Barrier Reef Queensland’s stunning wild.

Cuisine

Local produce is the key to great Brisk Island cuisine. Fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables abound from local growers – so you can expect delicious dishes that reflect the diversity of this beautiful island ecosystem. Food sourced from the Island goes far beyond a meal to be enjoyed when dining with us – we encourage you to take home what you can, and share your bounty with friends, family and co-workers.

Wildlife

Briskin island is home to some of the most significant wildlife in Queensland. Find flightless birds like emus and cassowaries, plus mammals such as the endangered galah – along with a bounty of lizards, snakes and spiders. Our plants grow from the seasonal tides and evolving weather conditions, supporting diverse plant life in our trees.

Bird Watching: Christmas Island Pelicans are one of nature’s wonders – soaring high above the waves with heads bowed to catch their reflection in the water below. They stay aloft for hours on end, even sleeping upside down- but when I see them gliding over my head perched so close – it is as if they are standing right there at eye.

Conclusion

Located in the Indian Ocean, Brisk Island is a coral-rich island with a diverse animal and plant life. The coral reefs provide habitats for many fish and aquatic invertebrates. The island is home to the world’s second-largest population of nesting seabirds – the brown-headed reef heron. The island is also rich in other wildlife such as tortoises, monkeys, and lizards.

FAQ

What Is The Climate Like On Brisk Island?

The islands generally have a hot, humid and buggy climate. The temperatures range from 23 degrees Celsius in winter to 35 degrees Celsius during summer. This is similar to the temperature range of many continental islands in Indonesia. In October, you may need a jumper when standing on your deck, but be prepared for cool evenings during winter if there are no clouds overhead!

Are Hotels Available?

There are two basic options – that give visitors extended stay accommodation: The Island Resort & Spa which is run by Queensland Tourism and offers stylish 4x4s); or Taroka Eco-Lodge Village which is a short walk to the beach, where families can stay with one or two tents for just $4 per person per night.

Are There Any Restaurants?

There are several attractive casual and more expensive dining options on the island that includes three bars serving pizza’s and burgers as well as tropical fruit shakes & smoothies from café-style outlets plus takeaway meals… including some decent pies! The local Resort & Spa offers a high-end dining experience at their restaurant “Gioele’s” where the chefs cook up Asian / Western cuisine as well as traditional island meals! The resort also serves all day breakfast buffets, afternoon tea and dinner buffets… all included in the nightly room rates.

Where Can I Buy Groceries?

There are significant grocery stores at the main beach and resort shops in Okinderhai, a village on the north-west side of each island.

Are There Any Post Offices Or Banks? 

You will have to go into Ulanya (Maldives national capital) by ferry for currency exchange services and letters should be posted with guest correspondence addressed to: Brisk Island Resort  (ask for Postage address).

Whilst we can’t help you open bank accounts and direct you to the nearest money shops, there are plenty of ATMs at Okinderhai on both islands As for post offices – there is only one (at Naseem Island) and it opens from 4.30 am until noon everyday except Sundays To get your mail back, in Ulania walk down a side street: Basikatta Way leading off Rasathuve Rd & turn left onto Dhandhoo Ave all the way to the post office entrance (behind the bakery).

Where Is Wifi? 

We have confirmed, that Ulanya Hotel on both islands has live streaming wireless everywhere.

What does my flight time actually mean? Also how cheap are flights and accommodation for couples in must families! We suggest to first check the Maldives website here: http://maldivesweb.com/flight-booking At present prices this gives a whopping 4 hour 15.