‘The Island’ – Bird Haven
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden in a strandveld area on ‘The Island’ in Kommetjie which refers to a rocky outcrop and tidal pool area, aka Die Kom and Bird Island, at the southern end of Long Beach. It marks the transition from the sandy expanse of the latter to the more rugged coastline to the south.
It was hidden as a replacement for, and in recognition of, Bush Barker’s GC6HW2D Sunsets and Crayfish, which was hidden on 16/5/16 and archived on 26/11/25 after 57 finds and 4 FPs.
It can easily be combined with the 5-cache Kommetjie Walkway Trail series which starts on the other side of the small bay and continues as far as the lighthouse.
The area is notable for birdwatching, rock pooling, stunning views and wonderful sunsets, making it a distinctive part of this laid-back coastal village famous for surfing and its natural beauty.
Birds commonly seen - especially at low tide - include various cormorants, terns, gulls and migrant waders; black oystercatchers, sacred ibis, and Egyptian geese. More comprehensive and detailed lists are available on several web-sites.
To Find the Cache:
Park at the large parking area @ S 34 8.423 E 18 19.331 adjacent to Die Kom.
Step 1: head a few metres across to the posted coordinates S 34 8.407 E 18 19.342 where you will be standing in front of a noticeboard for Kommetjie Boat Club (KBC) to which a colourful surfboard is attached.
Looking at the noticeboard, you will note that the maximum boat length which can be launched from here is A.5 metres.
Looking at the surfboard, you will spot B surfers depicted on it.
Step 2: now move a short distance across the slipway to the blue Kommetjie Public Launch Site noticeboard. On this you will see that of the 8 white bordered circles, C have a prohibitive diagonal white line across them.
Step 3: move back a little until you are standing at the front side of the small white KBC hut. On the wall of this are three signs. One states that the launch fee for non-members is RD0.
Another gives an emergency contact mobile number. The location number of the sign, which should be used when reporting an emergency is E6-F
Step 4: next walk a few steps south to the concrete bench on top of which is inscribed the name W Smith and a date 1F-02-1992
Step 5: head a few metres along the sandy trail to S 34 8.426 E 18 19.323 the location of a pair of colourful mosaic benches commemorating forcible removals from Kommetjie which occurred between 1968-197G.
Looking at the right-hand bench, you will note that H fishermen are depicted pulling their boat ashore.
Step 6: finally, walk south to S 34 8.448 E 18 19.338 where you will find a fine sculpture of a large seabird made by Chip Snaddon from recycled wood and other materials, which has J letters in the 2nd part of its 2-word name.
The cache is hidden approx. 100m away at: