brief bonaire report 10/16-23

[KRL1973]

Wife and I took our 1st of hopefully many trips to Bonaire.

Stayed at Black Durgon Inn who arranged rental thru AB truck rental. Had great expereinces with both. Mosquitos and no-se-ums are present so do use bug spray when out if not in a good breeze.

In a nutshell had a great trip. The shorediving ease and freedom are everything they are described to be from all the Bonaire fans out there.

Prior to this trip my only warm water dive experience was a week trip to cozumel so I was naturally comparing the 2 much of the time I was there. Bonaire compares very well for diving freedom and healthy abundant hard corals and other flora while Coz has more big animal encounters and more diverse topography (swim thrus)

The town struck me as rather funky and ramshackle at 1st but I grew to love it by the end of the week. I was really impressed by the park in the north of the island. There are truely some very lovely spots with striking scenery. My favorites were Wayaka 2 and nearby Boka Slaagbai(sp?). I had a blast driving the rough dirt track in the park as well.

Took over 2 hrs of underwater HD footage that I will be spending a long time going over and editing. Hope to post a link to some of it eventually.

Viz was somewhat reduced from what I have read to be the norm. I estimated 50-70ft. on most dives. Strangely to me, the deeper water tended to have the reduced viz.

Here are the sites I dove:
Small wall -several times as this is Black Durgons house reef
Bachelor's beach
Salt pier (day +night) -saw a turtle at night!-totally unexpected
Angel city
Hilma Hooker
Invisables
Karpata
Wayaka 2

I found all of these to range from great to fantastic dives. Often did late afternoon dives after a siesta and found it to be very cool to end a dive at dusk and surface to a fabulous sunset. (noticed more critter activity at this time as well)

-ken

 

[gypsyjim]

Thanks. Whets my appetite to get back!

Dam, can't wait till next June!

 

[drrich2]

Glad you had a great time, and reported on the conditions. I wondered how it was doing since I left.

I was in Bonaire the week of Oct. 2-9. The first half of the week was very rainy (highly unusual) and vis. was compromised. On the other hand, given the weird weather patterns, we hit Light House on the far south end of the island, & an unmarked area about 1 or 2 sites west of it but still on the south end (note: at one of those sites on one occasion a bunch of tiny gnats you wouldn't think could bite into human skin nearly ate us alive). And Red Slave. So much farther south then usual for me. Mosquitos were murderous on a night dive at Windsock, but otherwise didn't bother us a lot (except in our room!!!).

Things improved by the end of the week. Had a great time overall, though; buddy & I got in 23 dives!

Oh, I've been to Bonaire 3 times before, most recently March 2010. Until the Oct. 2010, never saw a lionfish there. In Oct. 2010, saw a number of them. I think Wallob saw 6 plus a 'baby' on one of the dives. Got used to seeing the markers used to identify where they are, too.

Richard.

 

[smokey braden]

krl1973,
thank you for the trip report.
what was your take on the place you stayed?
was it on the water?
would you stay there on your next trip to bonaire?
thank you,

 

[chauncy19]

smokey braden,
realize you're not asking me but I have stayed at black durgon 8 times and obviously it appeals to me.it is on the water and has easy access to small wall dive site. its spartan accommodations, share kitchen by the sea. if it fits you its great, if it doesn't it doesn't , if you want a resort feel this isn't it.

 

[KRL1973]

smokey,

black durgon is right on the water, very tranquil and quiet. You get to know the other guests and the owner as it is a very small place.

I would stay there again for sure. It is very basic though and if you are looking for luxury it wouldn't be the place for you.

Oops just noticed you got you answer already. -well I 2nd it then

 

[KRL1973]

Glad you had a great time, and reported on the conditions. I wondered how it was doing since I left.

I was in Bonaire the week of Oct. 2-9. The first half of the week was very rainy (highly unusual) and vis. was compromised. On the other hand, given the weird weather patterns, we hit Light House on the far south end of the island, & an unmarked area about 1 or 2 sites west of it but still on the south end (note: at one of those sites on one occasion a bunch of tiny gnats you wouldn't think could bite into human skin nearly ate us alive). And Red Slave. So much farther south then usual for me. Mosquitos were murderous on a night dive at Windsock, but otherwise didn't bother us a lot (except in our room!!!).

Things improved by the end of the week. Had a great time overall, though; buddy & I got in 23 dives!

Oh, I've been to Bonaire 3 times before, most recently March 2010. Until the Oct. 2010, never saw a lionfish there. In Oct. 2010, saw a number of them. I think Wallob saw 6 plus a 'baby' on one of the dives. Got used to seeing the markers used to identify where they are, too.

Richard.

Richard,

I saw numerous lionfish as well. There is a 'hotline' to report the locations I used and black durgon provided a handful of the markers.

One one occassion I found a group of 5 lion fish and they were bigger than the others I saw...breeding??? hope they went out and got them like they told me they would over the phone

 

[Barb729]

Rick & I stay at the Black Durgon, and love it. It's small, friendly, meet divers from all the world, who if they wanted, could stay at a more updated with all the extras resort.
Once you stay at the Durgon, it's hard to go anyplace else.
We love the freedom it offers it's guest. Love the outdoor kitchen, the clean rooms, the dock for relaxing on or jumping in to dive the Small Wall.
Glad you had such a positive experience. We're addicted to Bonaire, Black Durgon,
We will be hitting our 9h trip in December in 3 years.

 

[Barb729]

Hey Chauncy
How have ya been. Going back Dec 25 thru Jan 9th. Hopefully we'll meet up at the Durgon someday. Hope you are well.

 

[chauncy19]

Barb729,
Wish I was heading back to black durgon but instead I/we are trying Curacao and All West apartments in about 2 weeks. Still have AA FF miles and determined to use them
will know better after this trip if it makes sense to fly over to Bonaire but no matter given how regularly you are going to Black Durgon we're bound to meet up.
I do have miles with Continental now too so if i can handle the red eye will be back no matter.