History repeats itself…….another fantastic trip to Bonaire and The Black Durgon. This is our second visit in as many years. We returned primarily to have the pleasure of staying again at The Black Durgon. Al, the owner, only lets the nicest, most interesting and courteous people stay at his rustic resort on the sea. We spent most of our time diving right off his dock; diving on Small Wall and Black Durgon Reef. No matter what the conditions are elsewhere, you know you can always come back and jump off his dock and have a great dive. While the rooms are spotlessly clean and rustic, you wind up spending most of your time down at the community kitchen/sea-side lounge area, dining and mingling with the many long-time repeat guests, cooking up and eating meals together and sharing your adventures of the day. Come to The Black Durgon to enjoy the diving life with wonderful people, for the great value offered for an ocean front property, for the pleasure of eating your own and others home cooked meals with friends who become family and for the ease of diving in uncrowded conditions off the end of the dock without getting in a car/truck or boat. It truly doesn’t get any better. If you are someone that spends a lot of time in their hotel room/condo watching a gazillion channels on a big flat screen TV with an air-conditioner running 24 hours a day waiting for room service to deliver, getting your hair done or sitting around a pool….you won’t be happy at the Black Durgon and should stay elsewhere. Happy Diving!

This was our third time at the BDI. Had previously travelled there with oldest daughter three years ago. Brought all the kids this time.

The place still maintains it's charm. It has very basic accomodations, but they are spotlessly clean. The place sits right on the water, just north of Small Wall. Small Wall is an excellent site, so much so that dive boats were seen there every day. But, from Black Durgon, it's the "house reef" and is great.

Al is a great guy, and is very patient if you have someone needed some scuba skills work or updates.

The layout of the property is U-shaped, with the dive locker on one side, the open air kitchen on the other, and rooms on the hill, in-between. It is a very quiet and peacefull place, with no rifraff running around. Some of our friends stayed on the south end of the island and had stuff stolen off their balcony. The BDI is about 3 miles north of downtown, and is very, very quiet. There is a convenience store about a mile down the road.

The place has an open-air kitchen, which you are allowed to use. There is a BBQ grill, too. We generally ate out at dinner, but did grill a couple of times.

It is a very relaxing place, and most of the people you meet there are repeat customers (including me). If you're a serious diver, this is a great spot. Tanks are always available, and Al is a wealth of information, and an all-around good guy. For non-divers, the onsite pier has great snorkeling and swimming.

This was our first time to Bonaire. I have to say that nearly everyone we met at Black Durgon Inn had been there many times before. The location at the Small Wall dive site or the Black Durgon dive site is right there! Other divers get there by boat, but not us!! The main draw is certainly diving and the diving location. Also, reading or relaxing in the hammock are good choices there, too. It was the first time that we had been to a place set up for divers. It was great to leave our gear in the locked storage out by the pier. (have to use the bathtub in Kauai, so this was great to us) We really enjoyed spending time with such wonderful people.
I would only recommend this B &B to serious divers who are not looking for luxury accommodations. It is not loud party place. It is peaceful. Everything I read about it such as "Spartan, minimalistic, rustic" were true. The room was certainly adequate for our needs. It was very clean. The furniture is old but functional. The walls needed repair from water damage around the window and the place could use some TLC overall. The reason people return is not the accommodations, I think, but because of the wonderful people that go there, the peaceful atmosphere, and the great diving. We were very content and our needs were met.
I had not expected wash cloths but they were there. Doris is a sweet woman who works hard to make the place clean. She cooks an adequate breakfast. There are eggs a couple of times during the week. She makes French Toast made one day/week. One day, she made us brownies. The community kitchen took some getting used to and would not be for everyone. We were glad to have it and it worked for us. Many people like to go out to eat each night anyway.
Al, the owner is a very busy man. He makes everyone feel at home without hovering over them. I think what amazed me the most was so many of the long term friendships that I saw that Al had. I felt that he was very accessible, although I read that others didn't think so.
My husband had a medical emergency while we were there and we had to leave suddenly (not dive related). Everyone at the resort was so supportive and kind. One nice couple (Dan and Terry) staying there rushed my husband (and me)to the hospital. Dan left is such a hurry, he was not even wearing a shirt or shoes. They were so kind and said that anyone there would have done the same thing for us. Al, the owner, offered to go to the hospital if needed. He was very concerned and told us who to ask for in the way of an evaluation. My husband had arterial blood clots and needed to have an emergency evacuation to Miami for a higher level of care. The most important thing I need to share with people is the importance of travel insurance. Travel Guard insurance quickly got us a private medical Lear Jet that took us directly to Miami. We got the adventure package that covers lost or stolen gear but most importantly emergency evacuation that was to cost $20,000-$30,000. The small hospital was adequate for basic needs and the specialists in Miami attribute my husband keeping his foot to the good medical care in Bonaire. Dr. Miranda was very nice to us and we appreciated his care and kindness so much. The nurses in Miami knew all about Travel Guard insurance because people need to come there from the Caribbean. So my best advice is: www.travelguard.com
My husband was in the ICU in Miami wanting to plan the next trip to Black Durgon. After 7 days in the Miami Aventura Hospital, my husband is recovering well at home in California. We have fond memories of our 5 vacation days in Bonaire.

My review will be LONG & SWEET! Rick and I came to the Black Durgon after reading the reviews. It sounded just perfect for us. We arrived the first time June 9 2008, Rick got scuba certified and I began my cert. Met such great people, most if not all divers. Loved the Black Durgon & Al so much, decided to go back in August. Just couldn't get enough of the beautiful location, the diving and snorkeling among the best on the entire island. Still working on my certification, but Al is the BEST INSTRUCTOR anywhere. Patient and Calm and he knows his STUFF!!
I found the entire atmosphere to be soothing, calm and so friendly. It just makes you forget about all the hustle and bustle of life. It is very affordable and comfortable.
The rooms, they are just fine. Clean and I never once saw a bug!
Doris always is there if you need anything, extra towel and she always cooks you up a nice breakfast and has the coffee on.
Rick and I are both in our 50's and love life. We love the water. We will continue to go to the Black Durgon until our legs can't carry us anymore, and when we can't dive anymore, we'll sit and watch the sunsets from the dock.
The only negative thing about the Black Durgon in Bonaire, is LEAVING THERE. I left part of my soul there. But that's ok, going back for NEW YEAR'S!! I WILL DO MY OPEN WATER DIVES AND BE CERTIFIED.