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.

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Troglodyte’s Cove Halal Travel Guide

Troglodytes_Cove_Aerial - Aerial view if the dive site Troglodyte’s Cove. (Photo CDS&M)

Position

S34°10.828’ E018°49.509’ Troglodyte's Cove GPS -34.180467,18.82515

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

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 and then shelves down gradually to 14 m, at which depth it reaches the fine sand. The ripples on the sand are roughly 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.

Muslim Friendly Travel TO Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Troglodyte’s Cove

-34.174|18.836|width=|align= Troglodyte's Cove and nearby dive sites}} The entry gully at Troglodytes Cove DSC03302 - The entry gully from near the top}}

The site can be visited 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. Troglodytes_gully_from_the_water_DSC00090 - View of the inlet from the water. The entry/exit point is right in the middle of the photo. The cave mouth is just visible up the gully.}}

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 Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Gordon's Bay Old Harbour|Gordon's Bay harbour or 4.4 km from Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Harbour Island|Harbour Island. Anchor off shore where you want to dive. The inlet is not a suitable anchorage.

What to See

Klipfish_at_Troglodytes_cove_DSC08354 - Klipfish Koester_at_Troglodytes_cove_DSC08319 - Koester

Marine life

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

Photography

Routes

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 and 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
In at gully at mouth of cave, down, out and round to left (west). to quite near to Lorry Bay and back to gully.

Stay Safe

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

Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Bikini Beach|Bikini Beach GPS -34.165383,18.858200
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Ledges|Ledges GPS -34.169883,18.845433
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Vogelsteen|Vogelsteen GPS -34.171700,18.839250
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cow and Calf|Cow and Calf GPS -34.171833,18.837717
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Cow and Calf|Stone Dog GPS -34.174306,18.836378
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Pinnacle|Pinnacle GPS -34.174467,18.833017
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Tony’s Reef|Tony's Reef GPS -34.176083,18.829083
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Lorry Bay|Lorry Bay GPS -34.182583,18.821867
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Phil’s Bay|Phil's Bay GPS -34.186650,18.818883
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay|Rocky Bay Noble Reef GPS -34.188867,18.818714
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Rocky Bay|Rocky Bay GPS -34.193083,18.818550

Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay#Gordon's Bay

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

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