Cave entrance
Engelbrecht Cave West
Advanced Cave: CDAA site rating [1] [2]. These categories are the named scheme's own; they describe the training a site calls for.
The western dive entrance of Engelbrecht Cave, an Advanced Cave-rated passage of about 340 m to 12 m deep with two sumps, restrictions and a rain-affected first sump.
A long stairway of cut limestone blocks leads from the viewing platform in the western tourist cave down to a small entrance pool. The first sump, about 100 m long, begins with a narrow restriction that divers pass one at a time and ends at another flat restriction before an inner air chamber with a rock pile and crescent-shaped lake.
Beyond the rock pile a second sump, usually very clear, continues with several side passages to a rock collapse and a small surfacing pool with room for two or three divers. The CDAA rates the passage Advanced Cave and gives a total length of about 340 m and a maximum depth of 12 m.
The environment
Fresh water in shallow sumps under the city; restrictions, an air chamber and a rock pile to cross on foot.
Conditions
Storm water can enter the first sump after heavy rain, so visibility there ranges from very clear to nil; the second sump is usually clear.
Typical ranges from published sources, not current conditions.
Facilities
Café, tour desk, viewing platforms, toilets and picnic areas at the show cave.
Other entrances to Engelbrecht Cave
For orientation, not navigation. Hollow dots are approximate.
Every fact on this page, with its source (9)
| Fact | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The West passage is Advanced Cave rated. | Verified | [1] [2] |
| The West passage extends about 340 metres from the doline opening with a maximum depth of 12 m; the first sump is about 100 m long. | Verified | [1] |
| The first sump can be contaminated by storm water after heavy rain, so visibility ranges from crystal clear to zero; the second sump is typically crystal clear. | Verified | [1] |
| Diving is permitted between 8 AM and 8 PM daily. | Verified | [1] |
| Divers collect a key from the Lady Nelson Visitor Centre, sign in and out, keep gates locked and return the key; only two keys exist. | Verified | [1] |
| The show cave has a café, tour desk, viewing platforms, toilets and picnic areas. | Verified | [1] |
| Coordinates are the mapped entrance of the public show cave. | Verified | [3] |
| Coordinates are the mapped entrance of the public show cave. | Verified | [3] |
| The West passage is rated Advanced Cave, so diving it requires a CDAA Advanced Cave rating; bookings are made through the CDAA booking system. | Verified | [1] [2] |
Verified: stated by an official or primary source we opened. Reported: from a secondary source only. Sources conflict: the note gives both versions. May be out of date: the newest source we found is old.
Written in our own words from the sources above. Report a correction