Babylon
Body of Water:
Caribbean Sea
Max Depth: 30m
GPS Coordinates
Lat: 19.353317
Lon: -81.164317
Babylon. The name alone elicits smiles and twinkles in the eye from those who know. It is named after the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but what makes this dive site special? Why is it rated one of the Top 10 dives in the Caribbean?
Firstly, don't let the distance from the dock and its reputation fool you; Babylon is an easy dive. Really easy. We even bring first-timers here to breathe their first breaths in the ocean. We know, we spoil them!
A towering freestanding pinnacle is Babylon's main feature. It is an awe-inspiring sight to behold, rising from the depths at over 100 feet and topping out just 45 feet at its peak. One of our most regular divers even photographed the entirety of its height to feature as a mural in an elevator shaft. Users of the elevator can pretend they are diving in the Cayman Islands, rising from the deep ocean to a dazzling shallow coral reef as they ascend. Certainly, a unique commute to work!
Divers should circle the pinnacle a few times at different depths to fully appreciate the height of this looming column. Swimming between the pinnacle and the wall is a thrilling experience; the corals and sponges on both sides grow towards the other side, leaving a gap just large enough to swim through. You know those front cover magazine photos of divers swimming amongst abundant coral? You bet some of those were taken here!
Having dizzied yourself circling up the pinnacle, the shallow top of the wall is a perfect place to extend your dive time. Enjoy the wide-open expanses of sand and coral fingers and the plethora of marine life that inhabit this bright, sun-filled environment.