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Hello, Chris. Great report. All of these Bonaire posts are making me homesick for the island. Looking forward to seeing you and the gang in October!
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Diving Bonaire, Bonaire: Black Durgon Inn - Book online
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Black Durgon Inn
Memberships
PADI, SSI
Facilities
Eco-friendly, Classroom, Free Wifi, Child Friendly
Languages spoken
English
The Black Durgon Inn is moderately priced oceanfront property with a tranquil tropical ambiance.
We have easy direct access to clear calm water and world-class diving and snorkeling from the property.
The Small Wall and Black Durgon Reef is our front-yard. It teams with marine-life to include hard and soft corals,. We offer a relaxing, non-commercial atmosphere, cater to non divers, scuba divers, swimmers, snorkelers and offer quality instruction from swimming to instructor certification. Our forte is bringing new or uneasy divers & snorkelers to a proficient comfort level.
The Black Durgon Inn...a place where non divers can relax, new, uneasy divers, snorkelers can learn to get comfortable and experienced divers continue to enjoy diving time and time again.
Our Vacationers come as tourists and leave as friends.. click on: www.blackdurgon.com.
Reservation or more info email AL at: Bonaire@blackdurgon.com
Just a little piece of paradise, Regards...AL... www.blackdurgon.com
"We can find piece with music, our animals and in the sea"
Land-based facilities
Cameras For Hire, Compressor, Equipment Hire, Servicing, DIN, Valve Adapters, Yoke, Freediving
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Reports for this dive centre
Dive Reports
Bonaire Sea Creatures
20 Nov 2011 - 13 May 2012 with Black Durgon Inn
Bonaire is known as a diver's paradise. For those of you who have non-diving family/friends, do not hesitate to take them to Bonaire. From this snorkeler's perspective, I can say with certainty that staying at the surface will not disappoint.
Other than possibly frog fish, sea horses and flamingo tongues, I have seen the same marine life as my diving friends. The variety of fish, both juvenile and adult, is the best in the eastern Caribbean. Trunkfish, parrotfish, grouper, black durgon, file fish, blennies, porcupines, rays, lobster, and so very many more. Add in a turtle, octopus, and some christmas tree worms and you have heaven under water.
The condition of the reef varies by dive site. Both hard and soft corals thrive in the waters of Bonaire. Some areas have little to no healthy reef while others are alive and full. In my experience, those spots that are not doing as well with reef still often have an abundance of fish activity.
Whether you are a diver or snorkeler, young or old, Bonaire is a great place for a vacation at any time of year.
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Chris Colton
500+ dives
Island of Bonaire
14 Jan 2012 - 24 Jan 2012 with Black Durgon Inn
Been to Bonaire over 30 times. Great variety of dive sites. Some resorts run boat dives, but most of the diving is shore-based. Most groups rent a pickup truck: just decide where and when you want to dive, load up, drive to the site (max.20mins, kit up on the beach and in you go.
40+ dive sites on west (leeward) coast - wrecks, walls, coral buttresses, coral gardens - the lot.
No big pelagics but great fringing coral reef and abundant marine life. Sometimes dolphins, often turtles, eagle rays, only evre one manta in 30 visits.
Favourite sites - Something Special, Salt Pier, Hilma Hooker (wreck), Tolo, Karpata. Currents gentle, except way south. East coast is unsuitable for shore entries - East Coast Divers run trip to the wild side.
Restaurants varied and great - try At Sea, Mona Lisa, Bistro de Paris, Plazita Limeña...
Other activities - snorkelling, island touring, Slagbaai Park, donkey sanctuary, butterfly farm, great photo-opportinities.
I am hooked - guarantee you will be too.
See my report on Black Durgon Inn
Be safe...take only photos, leave only footprints - - 8)
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Chris Colton
500+ dives
Black Durgon Inn
21 Apr 2012 - 4 May 2012 with Black Durgon Inn
This was my thirtieth stay at the Black Durgon Inn, Bonaire. Basic, but very comfortable, small inn. Bed and breakfast and fabulous house reef diving. Run by Al Catalfumo who delivers air twice a day. Great guy and wonderful island character
All Bonaire shore diving is within 20 minutes driving. This place is a great spot for the chilled diver and relaxed visitor. Don't expect glitz, but enjoy clean air-conditioned rooms with en suite showers etc., good breakfasts (Mon-Sat) and a fun clientele. Most guests are regular visitors - once you stay at the BDI, you'll keep going back - if not, poor you!
See you there...
Black Durgon Inn
5 May 2012 - 12 May 2012 with Black Durgon Inn
The Black Durgon Inn is not a frilly or fancy resort, but it is comfortable, quiet, clean, and well maintained and has all I need. You get breakfast and typically there is comraderie with the other guests. Also you have use of an outdoor kitchen and can make meals there if you wish. The really nice thing is some of the best diving is right in front of the Black Durgon. Keep your gear in the locker area, put it on and jump off the dock. Fish life is abundant and the reef goes down to 130 feet, and there is a wall dive there. There are many fine restaurants nearby. I recommend eating at Captain Don's. Super place to get certified, book learn at home and basic skills (mask clearing etc) finish training there. I had three people certified there. Stayed more than a dozen times.
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So true Doug. Keep on going - maybe we'll meet up there, as I go 3-4x each year. Chris
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Richard Whitehill
100+ dives
Black Durgon Inn
3 Mar 2012 - 17 Oct 2012 with Black Durgon Inn
I have been diving on Bonaire since 2007, I dive 2-3 times a year on Bonaire and always stay at The Black Durgon Inn, great spot outside of town.
Breakfast is included weekday mornings in the outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen is available for all guest to use for personal use along with the outdoor grille, we don't have to eat out every night. The accomodations are clean and comfortable with daily room cleaning and air conditioning.
Al the owner is on the premises everyday to help you with your equipment and guidance. Walk to the end of the private pier and fin out 25 yards and you can drop to 130 feet on small wall and Black Durgon Reef. Many, many varieties of fish. I have met wonderful people from all over the world, a truly unique experience at the Black Durgon Inn.
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Hi, Rich. You are absolutely correct - "a truly unique experience at BDI." See you in October!
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Marie Le Haziff
Hi Susan, wonderful report! Im a diver and my partner isnt, so great to know the snorkelling options for him whilst i am diving :)
Susan Witzel
Thanks, Marie. Your partner would definitely enjoy the snorkeling in Bonaire. I go to sites with my diving friends - they dive, I snorkel, and everyone is happy. It seems every time I go out, I find something new.