The Black Durgon Inn is a moderately priced oceanfront property with a tranquil tropical ambience. We have easy access to clear, calm water and world-class diving and snorkeling from the property, 50 feet from our shore it drop to 120 feet. 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 and snorkelers to a proficient comfort level. The Black Durgon Inn...a place where non divers can relax, new and uneasy divers, snorkelers, swimmers 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. Private Pier Rental: Snorkel, Scuba equipment, Kayaks Bed and Breakfast: Yes Condominium/Apartment: Available on request Additional Information: Credit Cards: No Nearest Airport: Flamingo Distance to Nearest Airport: 3 miles
Small quiet inn located on one of the island's most visited dive site "Small Wall" Walk out your room walk downstairs to the convenient dive locker and dive in right off the pier. Al Catalfumo can help you with any problem that may arise. I feel very relaxed and safe when staying at the Inn. The next time I go will my 25th time. Love it that much.
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Date of stay: September 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you a scuba diver and do you want the flexibility to dive at any hour? Do you want to stay at a quiet spot or be bombarded by families full of wild children? If you want crowds and 5 star amenities and $$$$, then this is not for you.
If you want to hang with fellow scuba divers and snorkelers in a tranquil atmosphere with easy access to diving and snorkeling then definitely consider staying here. We come back annually. This year we spent 2 wonderful weeks at the Black Durgon. Wonderful is an understatement. I could go scuba diving at any hour off of our private dock onto our private dive site “Small Wall” The gear compound is just yards away from the dock and accessible by guests 24/7. No need to hire a boat to dive “Small Wall”. Al installed a new ladder that is so much easier to climb back up from the dive. So many dive spots on the island and yet all that I need to see is here on Small Wall and easy access!
Doris still makes the great breakfasts and Al shares intriguing stories. I could have stayed longer as it was so relaxing. I have already signed up to return next year!
Ps. Learn how to play rumikube!
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Date of stay: June 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Another wonderful two weeks of diving while staying at the black Durgon Inn. Al and Doris are so welcoming, and the stay was great! We plan to return next year! no question, just book a vacation here and enjoy! small wall dive site is right here with easy entry and exits for snorkelers and divers.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Black Durgon is a great little place away from the big resorts. The owner, Al was always helpful and gave great advice on places to visit. The breakfast was always great. The room are simple and very clean. Plus you can dive/snorkel one of the best site right off the dock. The other guest and staff treated us like family. It became obvious why people continue to come here year after year.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have stayed at the Black Durgon many times over the years and it is always very enjoyable. This is a small water front property. It is actually situated just a few feet form water's edge, and at the "small wall" dive site. You can't stay anywhere on Bonaire closer to the water than the Black Durgon Inn. The sandy grounds between the Inn and the sea is manicured with large palm trees, hammocks, bbq grill, kayak's horseshoes, ping pong, and a large covered patio, with kitchen(equiped with range, firdg. and cooking utensiles) for guests that extends all the way to the water's edge. The Inn also has one of the nicest piers on Bonaire. It is extra wide and streches out about 35'. This is a perfect location for diving, snorkeling, or swimming and sunning on the pier or sandy grounds. The management at the Inn is especially friendly and accomodating. The Inn is spotlessly clean, provides a free breakfast on the covered patio each morning, and has cable tv. Also, tanks for scuba divers are provided, and there is a dive locker off the pier, about 20' from the sea. If you like the sea and lots of relaxation and one of the best dive sites on Bonaire, you will love the Black Durgon Inn(which by the way is named after a fish common the the waters around Bonaire). By the way, most of the guests at the BDI are multiple repeat visitors. After you try it, you will be too. Their slogan is: "come as a vacationer and leave as a friend". ENJOY!
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Date of stay: June 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Little did I know after spending our Honeymoon on the island of Bonaire in 1992 that it would become our favorite dive vacation destination! My husband and I have returned to Bonaire six times and spent the last four visits at the Black Durgon Inn. Although there are many places around the world to dive, we prefer the slower pace and friendly staff at the BDI. The entire establishment is designed to work with the natural flora and fauna of the island and is well located for two of the better dive sites on Bonaire. Some of our biggest sea life encounters were experienced right off their dock! Every morning you are greeted with breakfast and a smile, and if you are lucky a friendly iguana might stop by to join you. We have been to other hotels on the island, but if you are looking for a family friendly place to stay with beginner to advanced diving, snorkeling and more, or just to sit in a hammock and read, then look no further then the Black Durgon Inn. I thought I would take a minute to express appreciation for one of the pleasures I have encountered in my life and all the people that have left a lasting impression on my heart. Hope to see you soon!
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Date of stay: May 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experienced Bonaire diving group tried new accommodations.
The location and reef are very good. Access to small wall is as close as getting in the water. This is one of the better sites on this end of the island.
Diving gas was a problem. The manager ONLY allows air that he provides (and you pay for separately) to be used on his property, thus making Nitrox dives on this site a non option even if you bring your own tanks. His air packages were available ONLY for daily or weekly prices. The operator would not even allow us to pay a tankage fee to use other diving gas. Access to the ocean is very limited in this area of the island, so its a very long swim to this reef if you don't stay at this operator.
The room was somewhat disappointing. There was no safe for high value personal belongings. There was no coffee pot in the room or on site with the exception of a small shared french press in the kitchen. Shared refrigerators outside the rooms and a limited group kitchen area were the only food preparation options. No blankets were provided on the bed. Ants seemed to be a constant nuisance in the room. Breakfast hours were very limited, and not available Sundays (our first morning after arrival, when the island is basically shut down). The only water in the room was "cold" water in the bathroom sink and the shower (warm and less warm).
Access to the ocean from the room was strange. Room 2 is the only which has access both on the parking lot side and the ocean side, all others only from the ocean side. To get to ocean side rooms, navigation thru iron gates, a narrow hall with chained restriction, navigation along narrow paths with steps and many elevation changes makes getting gear to and from rooms cumbersome. There is a single pair of shared rinse tubs near the dock, adjacent to the equipment storage area.
Even payment was a pain since no modern electronic payment methods are supported, only mailed travelers checks and local cash are accepted. Numerous confusing emails were exchanged about the accommodations and pricing. Be sure to bring all correspondence, and understand what additional charges and rules will apply if you want to dive this site.
I felt uneasy, even unwelcome here. I arrived excited and happy and quickly became the opposite.
For me the hassle was not worth the location.
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Date of stay: July 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent a week at the Black Durgon Inn and had the best vacation ever! It was our 2nd time to Bonaire, and we will stay at the Black Durgon Inn on our return vistis. It is small and the rooms are basic but clean, they all have AC and cable TV, and you get a fresh good breakfast every morning. The views are fantastic, the communal kitchen is convenient and a great place to meet the other guests and grab a cold beer to watch the sunset. It is like one happy family from the start in a very peaceful and relaxing setting. We had a great time with the other guests, all wonderful people - most are repeat customers of many years. The owners are the best. Al is an island icon and certified one couple while we were there, Rona (Al's daughter), her husband Rick and their daughter Emily will treat you like family and are charming hosts (all are Expatriate Americans). Rick took us diving at Town Pier at night and at Salt Pier. However, the BEST reef on Bonaire (Small Wall) is right in front of the Inn. Just go right or left from the diving dock and you will be dazzled. This is not a fancy place, but is absolutely charming, had everything we needed and wanted, and we saw the best sunsets ever. You can see fish in the water right from your breakfast table. If you are laid back and love nature, the ocean and peace and quiet, this is your place.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Recently returned for my sixth visit, I have come with a large group, a small group, just familly or this year a combination. Nothing fazes them.
If you want to just dive then one of the best sites on the island is 20 steps from breakfast (thank you Doris), the owners are divers and can point you in the direction of any other sites you fancy. Air just turns up at the front of the hotel, load it in your pickup (they will arrange the rental!) and away you go.
This year I came with three blokes and a ten year old to go diving, RIck (dive instructor) was waiting up for us at 4am when we arrived and was still up to greet us at breakfast. Rick then signed off my ten year old daughter who had been intimidated by instructors in Egypt and she was so comfortable she did extra dives with him for fun.
To stress the system I then had a women and an eight month old baby delivered, so Rona (Rick's wife) produced a cot, toys and a baby bouncer plus starter food and information on where to shop. A baby friendly dive operation, what's that about?
Restaurants are two minutes away or there's a guest kitchen plus barbecue so all needs are catered for, thoroughly recommended and back next year.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed together with my boyfriend in the Black Durgon Inn, beginning of april. We were really looking forward for this holiday en to go diving. I am that kind of person who likes to compare al the hotels and b&b's in advance to make sure I will have a nice holiday. I did a lot of research on the internet and o yes, I read all the reviews on Tripadvisor ( a lot of time and energy ;-)). We wanted a cosy hotel/hostel/b&b at the beach, close to Kralendijk, possibility to rent divegear, a hammock, a nice view from our room, breakfast in the morning and definitely no big resort. And yes, Black Durgon Inn has it all! I hesitated a little bit in the beginning and I am sure that I drove Al crazy with all my e-mails and questions (Sorry Al :-)). I hesitated because of the pictures of the rooms I saw. For me a bit old fashioned. Now I can say, the room doesn't matter, you are outside the whole day and all the others things are too positive to bother about a modern room with fancy shower. When we arrive, I thought a few seconds, o no, because of the building from the streetview. But from the moment you will see the back, I am sure you will fall in love. The private jetty is super. The sunset there is stunning. Right in front is one of the best divesites of the island. You can get out of your bed and immediately jump in to the water and go diving. The breakfast was very ok. One day, while we were having breakfast, we saw right in front of us a group of dolphins passing by. Al; if you would invest in something in the future, I recommend soft and new long chairs. Than it would be totally perfect for me. :-) We will go back one day and I recommend this place to everyone. I just hope that not too many people will discover this beautiful place and that we will have a room the day we want to go back ;-). Maria and Al, thank you for everything! Greetings from Belgium!
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Date of stay: April 2013
Value
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Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Kralendijk area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
black durgon inn and scuba hotel bonaire
LOCATION
CaribbeanBonaireKralendijk
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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