The Dive Site
Series
Hidden below the waters surrounding the Cape Peninsula lie one
of the unknown jewels of the area, known to only those who brave
the sea to get a first-hand account. Viewed from above it gives the
impression of being a bleak brown landscape as has been mentioned
to me on many an occasion. Enter the water and suddenly a whole new
world unfolds right before your eyes.
Cape Town is not well known as a diving destination of any note,
particularly to “outsiders” – ie. to those who do
not dive and also tourists to the area. It is certainly not well
marketed world wide, as have dive venues such as Sodwana Bay and
Aliwal Shoal. The aim of this series is to illustrate the many
great diving opportunities available and to draw attention to the
vast marine biodiversity that surrounds us.
Dive Site
Description
The site was named for a wooden tripod navigation beacon which
has now been replaced by a simple post. Sand bottom with bedrock
reef and big boulders, some breaking the surface. There are a few
swim-throughs among the boulder groups north of the big rock.
There are a lot of anemones, sponges and crinoids. Black mussels
patches on the sand bottom further out may support large groups of
Spiny starfish. The outer reefs have large numbers of Common
feather stars and smaller numbers of Elegant feather stars.
Perlemoen (abalone) seem to be making a recovery, with numbers of
small specimens scattered around the reefs. There is a wide variety
of habitats with a wide range of inhabitants.
This is a good photographic site, with a good variety of
seaweed, invertebrates and fish. Macro and wide angle equipment
will usually give good results.
This site is accessible by shore entry.
Follow this linkfor
more information and a dive site map.
Featured Critter –
Orange-clubbed nudibranch
The Orange-clubbed nudibranch(Limacia clavigera) occurs
on both sides of the peninsula, from at least Saldanah Bay to Port
Alfred. It is found on vertical sea walls as well as on kelp
fronds. It is also usually found in small groups and feeds on
bryzoans, especially membranous lace animals. It can attain a
length of 30mm.
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| Perched on a kelp frond, grazing on bryzoans. |
Different angle, same critter. |
About the
cache
The cache is not hidden underwater - it has been placed close to
the dive site entry point.