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 reef consists of large rounded granite corestones rising
almost vertically from the flat sand bottom. There are narrow and
wide crevices, some from 5m below the surface down to the full 13m
depth. There is also a small swimthrough cavern at the south west
side at the bottom, and another lower one slightly further to the
north, also on the west side. A long very deep gully or crack runs
magnetic north/south, but is too narrow to swim through without
touching the sides below about 6m.
The reef is heavily encrusted with Common feather stars, Red
bait, Red-chested and Mauve sea cucumbers, false corals and
encrusting sponges. Areas with dense populations of brachiopods
(lamp shells) can be found in some of the deep crevices. Kelp grows
on the upper parts of the reef, but it does not reach the surface
and is only visible from the surface when you are over the reef.
There is a large variety of invertebrates but usually not many big
fish.
This site is accessible by boat, or a long swim from the neatby
Windmill Beach
Follow this link
for more information and a dive site map.
Featured Critter –
Two-eyed blenny
The Two-eyed blenny(Chalaroderma ocellata) occurs on
both sides of the peninsula, but is most commonly seen in False
Bay. It is found in water ranging from 5m to at least 30m,
preferring rocky reefs with crevices. Typically these fish are to
be seen with their heads poking out of their habitat. The
distinguishing feature is the second eye on the gill plate. This is
a very skittish creature and will quickly disappear when
approached.
 |
 |
| Unusually out in the open. |
Peeking out from its hidey hole. |
About the
cache
The cache is not hidden underwater - it has been placed at a
popular tourist location. Please use stealth when retrieving and
replacing the cache - you will be seen. Best done together with a
caching friend to act as a lookout / distraction. The dive site is
pretty much straight out to sea, approximately 320 m away. See the
reference waypoint.