fla-keys.com · Tourism
Florida Keys tourism overview of Key West reef and dive conditions.
Dive Spot Guide•
Cannonball Cut
Boat-only drift reef south of Key West.
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Intermediate scuba site typically run as a live-drift pickup, with open-water exposure, variable visibility, and enough current that crews plan entries and recoveries around the flow.
About Cannonball Cut
Cannonball Cut is a Key West reef-trace drift dive where broken coral ridges and sandy cuts create a moving route for boat divers. It is usually run from charter boats rather than as a fixed mooring stop, with reef fish, eels, turtles, and the occasional shark adding to the appeal when conditions line up.
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Research Estimate At Cannonball Cut
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 10m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Where Is Cannonball Cut?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Cannonball Cut Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
Up to 18m
Depth Note
Maximum depth reported as 18 m / 60 ft.
Best Season
Usually most comfortable in settled spring-through-fall weather, when offshore trips are easier to run and visibility is more often workable.
Typical Conditions
Offshore reef drift conditions with variable visibility, open-water surface motion, and enough flow that many crews treat the site as a current-managed pickup dive.
Safety & Access At Cannonball Cut
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficStrong current
Safety Notes
Plan this site as a boat-managed drift with clear pickup procedures, and expect current to shape both descent and recovery.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; public dive descriptions note that Cannonball Cut is usually dived without a fixed mooring and is commonly run as a drift with live boat support.
Legal Notes
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary rules apply across the Key West reef tract, and operators should follow current protected-area and anchoring restrictions for the Western Sambo reef zone when running this site.
Local Intel For Cannonball Cut
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Often dived as a drift dive; maximum depth is about 18 m.
Freediving
This site is generally described as a scuba drift stop rather than a dedicated freedive drop.
Snorkeling
Most public descriptions frame Cannonball Cut as a scuba-focused drift dive instead of a routine snorkel stop.
Recent Logged Visits At Cannonball Cut
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Cannonball Cut
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility10m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
