Airport Caves - Roatán

The Caves of Babylon are a fun collection of swim-throughs, not really a true cave system, all winding back to a central chamber. We’re talking big openings here, easy for most divers to navigate without feeling squeezed. Sunlight spills in through cracks in the reef, making the ‘cave’ glow in places, and the walls are lined with magic corals and a surprising number of nudibranchs if you look closely. Keep an eye out on the sandy entrances; we’ve seen small rays and reef sharks hanging around there. It’s a good mellow dive, topping out at 19 metres, perfect for divers who enjoy exploring overhead environments without intense current or tight squeezes.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.088100, -86.884500
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila

Best Time to Dive in Roatán

The warmest water temperatures in Roatán occur in September, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.4°C
  • February: 27.3°C
  • March: 27.4°C
  • April: 28.0°C
  • May: 28.9°C
  • June: 29.3°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.2°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 29.1°C
  • December: 28.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Roatán

Nearest Dive Centres to Airport Caves

Marine Life in Roatán

Home to 170 recorded species including 150 reef fish, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 1 sharks & rays, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Airport Caves

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum depth for diving at Airport Caves in Utila?
The maximum depth for diving at Airport Caves is 19 meters. This makes it a great site for divers looking to explore the underwater world near Utila.
What kind of marine life and underwater formations can divers expect to see at Airport Caves?
At Airport Caves, divers can expect to explore fascinating cave formations. The site is home to diverse marine life, including Garden Eels, Stingrays, and Trumpetfish. On the reef, you'll also encounter a variety of fish such as Barracuda, Black Durgon, and Angelfishes. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
How difficult is the Airport Caves dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
The Airport Caves dive site is rated as intermediate in difficulty. Due to its cave environment and intermediate rating, it is generally not recommended for beginner divers. Divers should have appropriate experience and training for this type of dive.
When is the best time of year to dive at Airport Caves for optimal conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive at Airport Caves for optimal conditions. For general information on seasonal diving, you might consult our When to Dive guide.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Airport Caves in Utila?
While the specific certifications required for Airport Caves are not detailed in the provided data, its classification as an intermediate cave dive suggests that advanced or specialty certifications in cavern or cave diving may be beneficial or required. Divers should always check with local dive operators for specific requirements.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like when diving at Airport Caves?
Divers at Airport Caves can typically expect excellent average visibility of 20 meters. However, the provided data does not include specific information regarding typical current conditions at this dive site.