Summers here again which means one of my favourite places around Cape Town is back as an option for those hot summer days. Crystal Pools (also known as kamikaze canyon), is just around the corner from Gordon’s Bay right near Kogelbaai, and forms part of the Steenbras River trail. The path up to the pools follows the river from its mouth at the sea up a steep river gorge towards the top of the mountain where a 65m waterfall is the rivers entrance into the first of a series of deep, natural rock pools. The hike isn’t a tough one, but I would recommend a guide (or at least someone that’s been to the pools before), as the path isn’t that clear in places and there are a couple of dangerous sections where a fall could be nasty.
The best thing about the pools is natural rock jumps situated all around them, which range in height from around 6m all the way up to 30m. The pools themselves are extremely deep (rumour has it that an R80 000 Rolex was lost down one of the pools and never recovered as salvage divers couldn’t find the bottom – maybe a tad unlikely, but you get the point, the pools are deep), and its the climb up to some of the jumps which is a lot more dangerous (and nerve wracking), than the jump itself. The baboons in the area have been known to steal food from peoples bags unattended so keep an eye on them, and watch your footing around the ledges as a fall can be fatal. Aside from that if you’re up for a bit of an adrenaline rush, these are some of the best rock pool jumps I’ve ever come across and the highest of which is a really intimidating prospect which leaves you with a feeling of genuine relief once you surface from the jump.
The best time to head up to the pools is early morning to avoid the scorching summer sun, and also to make it back before the devil wind which can howl up the gorge picks up in the afternoon. You will also need a permit to head up to the pools. Its probably safer to head up with a registered guide and for an additional fee you can abseil down from the 65m cascade at the top pool. With the accidents that have happened in the past and particularly if you’re a visitor to Cape Town, this is probably the best way to do it.