Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Troglodyte's Cove

The dive site Troglodyte's Cove or Cave Gully is a shoreline rocky reef in the Gordon's Bay area on the east side of False Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Position
This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.
 * S34°10.828’ E018°49.509’

Name
The site is named "Troglodyte's Cove" or "Cave Gully" for the cave at the head of the inlet which shows signs of recent habitation in the form of garbage and discarded utensils.

Depth
Maximum about 14 m at the edge of the sand.

Topography
The gully below the cave mouth has steep rock sides and pebble/boulder bottom. Reef ridges roughly parallel to shore formations, and gets to 9 m depth very close to the outer edge of the shoreline, then shelves down gradually to 14 m, at which depth it reaches the fine sand. The ripples on the sand are approximately perpendicular to shoreline as wave crests are also usually perpendicular to the shoreline. There are some fairly big outcrops and boulders up to about 3 m high above the bottom, and some overhangs near the shoreline, especially in the inlet. Towards Lorry Bay (West of the gully) the reef is more rugged and spectacular.

Geology: Sandstone with some quartzite veins. Probably of the Peninsula formation.

Conditions
South westerly swell should be short and low.

Facilities
Off road paved parking.

Get in


The site can be accessed by boat or from the shore.

Shore dive with a moderate climb. There is off-road paved parking on the seaward side of Faure Marine Drive (R44) at S34°10.887’ E018°49.464’. The path is to the right facing the sea. Walk along the path until it starts to descend steeply then turn shorewards to the deep gully and walk along the sloping ledge on the rock face that leads down to the cave mouth. From there climb down the boulder slope to the water’s edge at the large rusty steel roller. There is a convenient rock to stand on to do final kit-up, and the water will usually be deep enough to jump in. About 250 m total walking distance with a descent of about 25 m, most of which is in the last 50 m. Entry and Exit are very sheltered from south west swell and the climb is not difficult. Access altogether reasonable for a fit diver.

Alternatively a boat dive about 4 km from Gordon's Bay harbour or 4.4 km from Harbour Island. Anchor off shore where you want to dive. The inlet is not a suitable anchorage.

Marine life
There is a rock to the north east of the gully which is frequented by a small group of seals.

Routes

 * 1) In at gully at mouth of cave, Very easy entry, climb down rocks no problem. Dive in inlet, rock face on left till out of inlet, then straight out over coarse gravel North magnetic till sand. Turn and swim back about south east magnetic, over sand, gravel/pebbles, occasional small boulders, larger outcrops and finally rocky reef with pebble bottomed gullies to shoreline near the seal reef. Follow shoreline back to inlet and exit at gully
 * 2) In at gully at mouth of cave, down, out and round to left (west). to quite near to Lorry Bay and back to gully.

Hazards
Shore access requires a walk down steep rock and boulders and a slightly tricky entry and exit.

Skills
No special skills required. Reasonable fitness and agility are required for shore entry.

Equipment
No special equipment recommended.

Nearby


Back to the Alphabetical list of sites, or list of dive sites in the Gordon's Bay area

Other regional dive sites:
 * Dive sites of Table Bay and approaches,
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula west coast
 * Dive sites of the Cape Peninsula east coast
 * Dive sites of False Bay offshore and approaches


 * Fresh water dive sites of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area