Meet the site
Cannons – sometimes 'Canons' on local lists and 'Gerhard's Canons' in Underwater Australasia's coverage – is an easy, relaxed dive that the official Cocos tourism listing notes is 'often paired' with a visit to Direction Island. The depth range is 14–22 m. The name comes from a group of old cannons lying on sandy patches between small Porites coral colonies. Diveplanit explains the local belief that they are surplus cannons dumped as ballast by copra-trading ships, and notes that the cannons are 'really just a sideshow' to the reef. The fine sand under the ledges supports spotted garden eels and white-cap partner gobies sharing burrows with shrimps, and octopus, moray eels and flutemouths work the patches. Underwater Australasia lists Indian and titan triggerfish, fusiliers, surgeonfish, parrotfish, gold-spot emperors, blue-striped and midnight snapper here; titan triggerfish nest in summer and can be territorial. The endemic Cocos pygmy angelfish is regularly found here. What made the site famous, though, is the large wildlife: Cannons was the home range of Kat, a male dugong that for years approached divers closely, and dolphins and manta rays are regularly seen passing through. Encounters with the dugong were never guaranteed, and divers should check with Cocos Dive on current sightings rather than assume he is still present. The combination of history, sand-dwelling macro life and a chance of big animals, in calm and moderate depths, makes Cannons suitable for all levels and a reliable choice when conditions elsewhere are poor. It sits among the other northern-rim sites – Two Ridges, Fan Wall and Cable Bommie are all close by – and the boat usually moves on to the Direction Island beach afterwards. Please don't handle the cannons; they are historic relics, and the coral colonies around them are fragile.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cannons is recorded as Reef in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Cannons suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Cannons through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Dugong (resident male 'Kat', historically), bottlenose and spinner dolphins, manta rays, spotted garden eels, white-cap partner gobies, titan and Indian triggerfish, octopus, moray eels, gold-spot emperors, blue-striped and midnight snapper, Cocos pygmy angelfish, turtles, reef sharks
Location
Sandy reef patches with old cannons on the northern rim of the southern atoll, near Direction Island, at -12.0882, 96.8731.
Facilities nearby
Departs West Island; no shops or fuel on the outer islands – Cocos Dive supplies lunch on day trips.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
cocoskeelingislands.com.auunderwater.com.audiveplanit.comdiveplanit.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
