Cayman Expands Marine Protection and No-Take and No-Dive Areas

[scubadada]

We did 2 dives on Babylon from the Cayman Aggressor V Cayman Aggressor V, November 24-December 1, 2018 I have also dived Babylon from Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers

 

[KathyV]

We did 2 dives on Babylon from the Cayman Aggressor V Cayman Aggressor V, November 24-December 1, 2018 I have also dived Babylon from Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers

Thanks, I checked my log book and I was remembering correctly, we also did a couple of dives on Babylon when we were on the Cayman Aggressor. I used all kinds of gushing and glowing words to describe the site!

Whenever someone says "why would you do a liveaboard trip in the Caymans when most of the sites are so close to shore?" I answer "True, but you get to do a whole lot of diving on the best sites off of all 3 Cayman islands - as long as the weather cooperates."

We had great weather when we did the CA IV trip and I am glad that we made the trip. It was the first time that we dived the Cayman Sister Islands (and we dived Babylon, too!)

 

[Joneill]

That would make it 356 - one of the closed dive sites is off Little Cayman!

Thanks for the correction, Babylon is on the north side of the island but you may be able to dive it with the End End dive ops. Ocean Frontiers lists Babylon as one of the dive sites that they sometimes dive, see below. We dived it when we did the Cayman Aggressor trip and it was amazing!

55 Dive Sites on the East End of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands

Babylon
Noted as one of the Top 10 wall dives in the Caribbean. Just mention the word Babylon to any Cayman Divemaster and you will notice a sparkle in their eye. This is the kind of dive is saved for their day off or to really impress experienced divers. Babylon is one of the most remote sites on Grand Cayman and is located on the North Wall, half way between Rum Point and East End. Babylon is most frequented by dive boats on 3 Tank Safaris around the island or by live-a-board vessels. Do not confuse all the hype about the beauty of this dive site and its remote location as to making it an advanced dive. Once you get there, Babylon is a very easy dive, the top of the Cayman wall starts between 35-45 feet. There are large sand patches on top of the wall and excellent shallow reefs for those scuba divers that do not want to venture too deep. For scuba divers who want a true vertical experience, they will find it on the wall at Babylon. The wall topography changes from a sheer plunging wall face to cascading sheets of plate coral and large pinnacles jutting in to the crystal clear waters of the Cayman Trench. While you are captivated by the pure vistas of Babylon do not forget to witness the Cayman reef inhabitants. The wall teems with schools of Chromis, often interrupted by Barracuda, Stop-Light Parrot fish or Queen Angels. The wall is decorated with thick outcroppings of Black Coral, Purple Sea Fans, Barrel sponges and a great variety of other tropical marine life.

Cayman 365 was covering all 3 islands - so 10 less is 355!

Dive365 Cayman Islands

I’m well aware of Babylon and it’s reputation - but the “stars have yet to align” to allow me to get there with Ocean Frontiers!

Friends who live on island say it’s one of their favorite sites.

 

[KathyV]

Cayman 365 was covering all 3 islands - so 10 less is 355!

Dive365 Cayman Islands

I’m well aware of Babylon and it’s reputation - by the stars have yet to align to allow me to get there with Ocean Frontiers!

Friends who live on island say it’s one of their favorite sites.

Of course, you're right!

 

[mi000ke]

All this plus the maximum dive depth of 100ft. makes the Caymans less and less attractive...

10 out of 365 sites will hardly be noticed, and as I presume the new regs only limit moorings at those sites, it may still be possible to dive them from an adjacent legal mooring if you really have a need. Many of the Grand Cayman sites are very close to each other, and i’ve done two-fers on a few of my dives.

As to depth, I’ve broken 100’ on lots of dives, although I dive EAN32 (or sometimes it’s 31 or 30), so have a MOD of around 110 or so. IMHO, on the deep wall it looks pretty much the same from 80 - 120’, so 100’ or so limit is no big deal.

With the new marine environmental rules, I’m betting cayman will become even more and more attractive.

 

[Joneill]

10 out of 365 sites will hardly be noticed, and as I presume the new regs only limit moorings at those sites, it may still be possible to dive them from an adjacent legal mooring if you really have a need. Many of the Grand Cayman sites are very close to each other, and i’ve done two-fers on a few of my dives.

As to depth, I’ve broken 100’ on lots of dives, although I dive EAN32 (or sometimes it’s 31 or 30), so have a MOD of around 110 or so. IMHO, on the deep wall it looks pretty much the same from 80 - 120’, so 100’ or so limit is no big deal.

With the new marine environmental rules, I’m betting cayman will become even more and more attractive.

Agreed - I’ve been down to 110-115’ on numerous occasions - but not really worth the reduced bottom time as not really anything different to see past 100 feet. The best stuff to see is usually much shallower - especially the marine life!

 

[caydiver]

 

[Joneill]

So much of the cut and paste on this thread is just not right. Does anyone believe everything written in their local newspaper? The names of the dive sites aren’t even correct. I honestly don’t understand the point of someone visiting a country for a couple of weeks out of year sharing local news that may be incorrect or have no bearing on anyone besides locals. What flavor is the Koolaid? I still like orange and red.

So, I guess only locals can comment on Cayman news here?

Many of us love the Cayman Islands and spend lots of time and money diving there that many, including you as a Dive Op, benefit from.

I’m sorry, but I really don’t get your reaction to Kathy sharing what is actually great news on new marine protections - regardless if the details are completely accurate or not.

Instead, how about providing the correct info that you allude to knowing instead of giving someone grief for posting info on a topic that many of us may not have been aware of otherwise?

 

[jgttrey]

Instead, how about providing the correct info that you allude to knowing instead of giving someone grief for posting info on a topic that many of us may not have been aware of otherwise?

Amen. If only a local DM can share info then I wish they would do so.

 

[caydiver]