Hello to all,
We are planning our first trip to Bonaire this March; so excited as we have been dreaming of this place for some time. We are thinking of staying at the Black Durgon and wonder if anyone has stayed in Room #7? If so does it also have an oceanfront view and private patio, as well a door that opens to the oceanside? I have read many reports on this website and this place certainly sounds like a gem! Thanks for any response from a chilly northern BC town.
Janie

You really want 10, 2b, 9 or 6. All these have a patio with tables and cloths lines. None of the rooms have a really open view of the ocean. We were in 8 and it is small, but preferable to 7 (we had our choice of 7 or 8) in our opinion. Neither 7 or 8 have a patio/porch.

But it really doesn't matter - the rooms at BD are for sleeping. The dock/breakfast area/hammocks are for looking at the ocean.

BD is not for everyone - it's at bit 60's-ish, but we love it.

janie,
stayed in 7 this past august. would agree with Brad not the best as no patio to hang out in. It does though have the wireless router located in it so if internet is big to you good room. Door does open to ocean side.
Have been to black durgon 7 times. I'd say number 6 is the best most conveted room. Again Brad is right Black Durgon is NOT about the room but location . If the room is a focus this is not the place.

I'd agree, 6 or 10. BD has a fabulous house reef. The rooms are sparce but clean.

And how much time do you spend in a room when on Bon. The outside of the place is just rustic awesome. I loved it back there.

Thanks to everyone for the replies, much appreciated. I totally agree that 95% of the time would be spent outside the room. We have been dreaming of this trip for years and the more we read the sooner we hope to get there. Does anyone have any comments about snorkeling after Omar and which sites were less affected by the storm? Such a shame but nature does what nature does.
Cheers,
Janie

As of our visit to Black Durgon last Dec.--Al was no longer hauling tanks down the stairs to the cage!! To those of us with bad backs, knees, etc--kind of a big thing.

That was our 2nd visit.

We dove more than we would otherwise have, elsewhere.

Jim,
you must have a special relationship with AL. Been going there since 2001 and never remember tanks at the dive cage. Then again maybe I am just slow.
Janie, I am not a big snorkeler usually only when I can't dive. However this time I hired Renee for a couple of snorkels and really enjoyed them. Recommend you get in touch with her and do a couple of guided snorkels with her. SHe's great and will give you insights as to what is where. "Renee Snorkel Trips" <info@reneesnorkeltrips.com>

Janie,
We were there last winter and saw an eagle ray, octopus, squid and a turtle all within an hour of landing, and that was in town from Club Nautico up to Something Special. Snorkeled with Renee also and she is great and we learned a few new entry spots, but really anywhere you get in the water is great. Best snorkeling on the planet,IMHO, even after the storms. We dive too, but usually only about 2 times per stay, the snorkeling is that good. We can stay in the water much longer, usually about 6 hours a day, when we snorkel. Try everywhere, you will always find something new and wonderful. Have a great trip.

Janie,
We were there last winter and saw an eagle ray, octopus, suid and a turtle all within an hour of landing, and that was in town from Club Nautico up to Something Special. Snorkeled with Renee also and she is great and we learned a few new entry spots, but really anywhere you get in the water is great. Best snorkeling on the planet,IMHO, even after the storms. We dive too, but usually only about 2 times per stay, the snorkeling is that good. We can stay in the water much longer, usually about 6 hours a day, when we snorkel. Try everywhere, you will always find something new and wonderful. Have a great trip.

What's the problem Jim?

I just convinced my bride that carrying the tanks down the stairs was better than going to the gym, and that she could eat anything she wanted while on BON if she'd just tote those tanks.

When we got home my regular dive buddy ratted me out: "You what?? I been tryin' to get that boy to tote my tanks for years..."

I read this and chuckled. Bob you are right... Al, nor any of us (possibly Rick on a special occasion like my birthday), have ever carried or stowed the tanks downstairs.

Janie, enjoy your trip. Personally, I love #7 because it is a large room.

Say hi to the Remora for me

We all agree that the rooms at BD, while clean and utilitarian, are somewhat spartan. Now, a list of the great things...

1. Breakfast with Doris. Go down a little early, get a cup of coffee, and sit while she cooks you a hot breakfast.

2. Get a beer/wine/toddy and go sit on the end of the dock to watch the sun set.

3. Then gear up and go hover at the base of Small Wall for an hour. If you stay real still and control your breathing you can stay an hour and a half. The beer/wine/toddy is only steps away when you get out.

3. Get everybody to bring something and have a big cook out - there's a community gas grill. Be sure to invite Al - we tried to get Doris to come, but she wouldn't.

4. Get a book and a beer/wine/toddy and lay in a hammock for an extended surface interval. Books can be read through eyelids.

5. Snorkel along the ironshore shelf south from BD. It's shallow, but some interesting critters hang out in that zone.

6. Get Al to hold still for a while and get him talking. He can tell some stories.

7. repeat as appropriate.

Are divers afforded the ability to dive Small Wall if not staying at BD? Thanks.

Only guests at BD or the apartments (name escapes me) via BD property - at least that is how it was. Most afternoons will find one or more boats moored there.

I did a long surface swim south from BD to the water plant and from BD to the hard right turn in the road northward, then dove back. So, I guess you could do a long surface swim from one of those to small wall if you don't want to boat or don't know someone in the adjoining properties.

The apartments - Divers Paradise

Brad is correct, only guests at BD or DP can dive off the property. Al will let you know in person if you try to dive there...

Rona, I was scratching my head as well...I remember schleping tanks down to the dock...

Thanks for the info, but not the replies I had hoped for.

If you were staying there, Pat, you'd appreciate the policy.

Our favorite is #6, for the balcony. Stayed there 9 years in a row so far. Stayed in #5 once - street side - thumbs down!

Hi Rona
How's my little key finder doing--lol
Last time there I had the pleasure of loading the truck --and making sure all the tanks faced the proper way--it was, as usual a very enjoyable 8 days.

Pat, I understand. It would be nice to allow everyone through but think about it this way. The policy is in place for a reason. The Inn is small and rented privately to guests who choose the Inn for the unique laid back ambiance and privacy. If access was granted to everyone, the "no worry, easy peaceful feeling" of the Inn would surely change.

Staying at the Durgon is like "coming home" for so many people. It feels ok to leave your things out on the table when you run upstairs to your room for something, or your shoes and towels out on the chairs when you hop in for a dive.

Also, part of the allure of the Durgon is having 24 hour access, just feet from your room, to Small Wall and Black Durgon Reefs...without being over run or concerned about "strangers" on the pier. This is why many people stay at the Inn year after year - Gail included

The solution: 1) stay at the Inn and enjoy the reef any moment of any day or 2) hop on a boat from your dive operator... it is only a few minutes ride from any of the other hotels.

HI BILL!!! Hope the family is doing well! We send our best to all of you.

Brad - sounds like you've got the Durgon pegged! Enjoy, especially your #4 - that hammock and a great book. You should title that "How to enjoy the Durgon in 7 easy steps".

Rona
We send our best to you all. Marie celebrated her b-day last night with the family,we're still talking about the trip--We could do it again tomorrow!

Amen Rona!
Already miss the place. Ofcourse have been missing you, Emily and Rick for sometime. the place has alot of character and characters--Al definitely included.
Janie you'll have a great time. March is a bit busy and you'll have to consider the cruise ships.
annoying but workable,you can always just stay at the durgon when they are around.

Our first visit was BR (Before Rona) and some tanks were in the cage then, maybe Al got Doris to tote'em, lol...... It was also before our bad back and bad knee.

Rona, well said

Jim,
maybe the kindness of strangers :-)
really hard to believe it was AL.
sorry about the physical issues. I'd bring the tanks down for you if I was there. Iam not young but I can still hop down the stairs. I always bring the tanks down and up for Julie and I. Not a macho thing just a division of labor thing.

Mmmm maybe Hop is an exaggeration

Thanks Rona and Gail, I certainly appreciate what you say, but I stay on Bonaire at a resort with an open door policy so I feel a little different I suppose about these things. In any event BD/DP sounds like my kind of place. Perhaps a friendly chat with "AL" might be the way to go....

Bill, please tell Marie HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I had the best vacation with you all! Emily says hello.

Bob, I have seen you bounding up and down those steps, don't underestimate yourself.

Jim, BR - now that is funny! Thanks for the chuckle

I have been involved with the Black Durgon Inn in one way or another since its inception in the early 80's. Perhaps this answer will help with the 2 policy discussions.

As the tanks are not brought down for guests, if you do have a medical issue, speak to Al, as many of the past guests can verify, he will find a way to help you out.

Pat, As far as the resort you stay at, Sand Dollar (I am assuming) is quite large in comparison with 60 condos and public amenities. The Black Durgon has 10 rooms with no public amenities.

My advice again, take a boat trip or stay at the Durgon for a couple of nights and dive the Small Wall till the cows come home. As far as a "friendly chat" with Al, give it a try... good luck with that. With over 55,000 divers a year visiting Bonaire, it's just not possible to have that access available without destroying the ambiance. When it was allowed or exceptions made, things were taken or water was left running, etc. So Al doesn't like the idea but in order to be fair and for the protection of guests and the ambiance, the policy has to stay in place for all non-guests.

FYI - people have even offered to pay to access Small Wall, but the issue is not the payment it ultimately comes down to guests' privacy and safety. I know every vacationer out there can appreciate that!

Patrick: While it is true that the coastline is available to ALL (of course with some exceptions dealing with security) the owner of private property has the legal right to control egress & ingress of their property. That's the law and one which I am certainly in complete agreement with.

If it's BD's policy, they are entitled to do it. If Sand Dollar has an open door policy that's also their right. Understand however that there is no quid pro quo among dive resorts or hotels to have the identical policy. If one wants to dive Small Wall, they can always access via boat or swim over from a neighboring location.

For whatever reason I've always stayed at the BD in the last week of July. One of the more enjoyable aspects of the stay is that I see the same people every year.
I've always seen the school teacher,nurse couple and the physical therapist, it's like family!

When the BD excludes non guest from the property I know my gear will not disappear and that people are watching out for me.I do not want strangers on the property, it only leads to thievery-- along with the great diving that's one of the things I'm paying for!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30273531&l=837abde5d7&id=1025990581

Rona, again, thanks. Part of the reason I liked BD when I stayed there was the secure feeling that my stuff was safe, there wouldn't be folks traipsing up and down the stairs, in and out of the property...as that IS part of the ambiance. BD is not the only property that discourages/prohibits non-guests from diving there.

Patrick, as Rona said, "good luck with that"...I'm LMAO as I'd like to be a fly on the wall during that conversation...no harm meant by my comment either.

i agree, al's concern, first and foremost, should be the security and happiness of his guests. sure it would be nice to allow others to dive small wall from the property but it would have an impact on overall security. i know if i were staying there i'd be a little concerned seeing people walking on and off the property all the time. other places with their own security may allow anyone to dive off their property but as a property owner it's al's prerogative not to allow it...whatever it takes to keep his guests happy.

Another vote for not allowing a herd to dive from BD. I have seen 'visitors' tramp thru with all their gear paying no attention to anyone elses things. I have also seen them sit at the tables down by the water front after a dive.
The feeling of friends and family is so important to staying at the Black Durgeon.

As for Rona's tongue in cheek 'good luck with that' - There's a couple that has been with our group for 15+ years, staying at the BDI at least once a year with the group - but they were staying elsewhere at the time. They stopped in to say hi to Al, and since they couldn't find him, decided to go snorkling! Meanwhile Al dropped in, and they surfaced to say hello. And he scolded them for being on the property without permission. The 'she' of the couple said, but Al, it's US! He said I know who you are, but you are not guests here now, and you are trespassing. The "she' was VERY put out, nose out of joint, but policy is policy! And you just got to respect the policy.

Gail..Well said. We should all respect their right to set up any legal policy they desire and also to accept and honor it. There are many, many places to shore dive on Bonaire, no reason to intrude or tresspass.

As a property owner we are very protective of our own beach at Bellevue, so I certainly understand and strongly support BD's position and policy.

Gail...lol...I had a nice visual with that one...LMAO...

SO we all get the point now, I think

Bonaire has a lot more visitors and thus we understand more policies, etc. have to be put in place for myriad reasons.

Thanks for the pictures ABC, I am sure Sand Dollar struggles with that the same way BDI and others struggle as it is so different than the "Bonaire way" -- time changes things -- right or wrong sometimes things just have to be.

As far as the limited access, from a positive viewpoint, it just means that we all have to take longer vacations to spend more time on island so we can sample all the different hotels, right?

Wish I was there right now!!

i agree rona....hope you and your family are there the same time we are in the not too distant future.

Rona you're too polite. To compare the sand dollar to the black durgon is absurd. I hope the poster isn't as pompus as they sound. Sorry to be blunt but find this misdirection of original conversation irritating.

I asked a simple question, Bob, now I am "pompus"(sp)?? Many threads and post on BT irritate me but I just smile and read on....normally.

1. Do guests in the street-side units have a key for access to the dock and patio area at Black Durgon allowing sunrise, and night snorkeling [say 10 to 12 PM?

2. Same question if staying at Divers Paradise.

3. Is there a clothes line [outside] for towels etc for those in the street side units?

I am unable to make reservation more than a month or so in advance hence if I am lucky enough to get a room at Black Durgon it is likely one of street entry units.

""""1. Do guests in the street-side units have a key for access to the dock and patio area at Black Durgon allowing sunrise, and night snorkeling [say 10 to 12 PM?

2. Same question if staying at Divers Paradise.

3. Is there a clothes line [outside] for towels etc for those in the street side units?

I am unable to make reservation more than a month or so in advance hence if I am lucky enough to get a room at Black Durgon it is likely one of street entry units.""""

Just think of the BD / Divers Paradise.
as like staying at someones 10 br house and youz got one of the rooms, In a very nice spot on Bonaire ,,, Go where you want when you want! I love it there! but don't expect much more then a simple room, a good breakfast and some great diving just out your back door

William,

As a guest you have access to the dock and patio area 24 hours a day when staying at Black Durgon or Divers Paradise.

There are clothes lines available for all rooms on both properties.

The Divers Paradise Apartments do have kitchens and refrigerators in each room.

Eugene & Michael: Thanks for your inputs. I hope I will be able to come in March or April but I won't know for sure until about 30 [maybe 45] days before. At that point, I'll contact Al and see if he has anything for even part of my planned one week visit.

On the Google Earth Image:

[A] is The Black Durgon Inn Dock
[B] is The Black Durgon Inn ?
[C] is ???
[D] is ???
[E] is Private Home ?
[F] is Private Home ?
[G] is Divers Paradise

Correction and/or completions.

On the original Google Earth there is a small blue square just above and to the right of the [D]. It says “Outdoor Eating Area.” Does that have anything to do with the Black Durgon Inn?

William - Great image!

In the image:
A. is the pier
B. is the Inn
C. is a private house
D. is a private house
E. is a private house
F. is a private house
G. is Divers Paradise

No, the blue square near the D has nothing to do with Black Durgon - and is not a public outdoor eating area - must have been placed in error.

The little blue square on the LEFT above the [A] is the Black Durgon Inn's Dive Storage locker and the square to the RIGHT is the open air kitchen and eating area.

Guests of the Black Durgon are welcome to use the kitchen and bbq after breakfast. There are also shared refrigerators for guest use.

William, G is Divers Paradise and B is the Black Durgon, A is the dock. C, D, E, and F are private homes.

The Kitchen/eating area at BD

Rona and *Tink*:

OK. Thanks for enlightening me. Black Durgon sounds ideal for my next visit.

Hey everyone, Annie here, had to giggle about the "friendly chat with Al" line! ah come on! under all that gruffness he really is a dear....isn't he, Rona? lol Hope you had a great stay when you and Em were there this summer. Obviously, you survived.
all the chat about the inn is spot on altho I don't think Doris got enough press. Diving, snorkeling, hanging in the hammock, doing communal meals with all your new best friends that you made at BDI, getting Al to tell jokes and stories,hangin out with Scratch, it's all amazing...but the best thing about the BDI is Doris!!! If any of you will be there before I get back in January please gave her a huge hug and kiss and tell her it's from Annie. The reasons we all keep going back; the laid back atmosphere, the fact that half the island isn'tt traipsing (sp?) through the property, you can leave your stuff out, the class of people that stay there... did I make my point? Shhhh, it's supposed to be a secret! Can't wait to get back !!

Anne,
Agree about Doris. She is the glue that holds the place together. It's one reason I would be relucant to stay at Diver's Paradise--No Doris :-)
and would miss communal feel of Black Durgon.
Okay might miss Al too. You can always catch him at breakfast not so easy the rest of the day. Gee making me sad as I don't have a plan yet for my return--bummer--PBD setting in again.

Bob,

Just for information, Doris also handles needs at Divers Paradise.

Missing Doris's breakfasts just is not an option for me even though we have our own house on the Island. My routine is a morning walk then breakfast at home then when the metabolism kicks in another breakfast with Doris. Unfortunately I can only afford the calories a couple days a week.

Now I know where all Mike's extra calories come from when we stay in Bonaire. It's not from my cookies or brownies!!!

hi, hi, are you guys on the island???? And how are you? Loved the pumpkin man, Jen.

Anne,

Close to the island in our thoughts. We leave Oct 31 for a short trip. Then back in mid December for a few weeks.

Just my 2 cents worth-we've stayed at DP twice and enjoy having our own kitchen and extra space (although we are hardly ever there!) So far it has been super clean and comfortable (thanks to Doris' housekeeping skills) although does get a bit hot inside. (we keep the AC off during the day) It is a nice walk to BDI for convenient diving or picking up gear. If you like being on your own, both BDI and DP are perfect. Just don't expect much in the way of service like other "resorts" if that is what you're looking for. We're pretty easy-going travelers; however, this past trip the only complaint we had was our apt. only had part of a roll of TP (which we try to use sparingly) so with 1 1/2 days left we ran out, we asked for another roll of TP and was told we had to supply it ourselves. I thought that a bit stingy as I would expect to at least get the basic necessities supplied at our accomodations. So just a heads up: be ready to supply everything you need. Otherwise, a great place to stay!