Named for the six historic cannons rusted together in two clusters on the sandy seabed, The Cannons is a fascinating lagoon snorkel site inside the Cocos (Keeling) Islands atoll. These cannons are believed to have been used as ballast on 19th-century wooden ships and later dumped in the lagoon. Beyond the wreckage, the site boasts vibrant coral bommies and a dazzling array of marine life, including reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, octopus, and the endemic Cocos Pygmy Angelfish. Sheltered from the south-east trade winds, the calm, crystal-clear waters make for excellent snorkelling conditions.
The Cannons
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 12 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Trade Wind Swell
The lagoon is generally calm, but during strong south-east trade wind periods (typically May–October) the exposed edges can experience choppy conditions.
Low risk: Boat Traffic
Marine traffic in the lagoon channel — dive boats and local vessels may be operating in the area.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
Be the first to share a photo
No photos yet — yours could be the first.
Photos are reviewed by moderators before they appear.
Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Cannons is located inside the lagoon of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, accessible by boat from Direction Island or West Island. Local dive operators (e.g. CocosDive) run trips to the site. The spot lies in the lee of the prevailing south-east trade winds.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the jetty areas on West Island or Direction Island.
Dive/snorkel charter fees apply; contact local operators for current pricing.
Spot Map
Community
Trust
Is this spot real, accurate, still loved?
Nearby spots
No nearby spots yet.
Needs verification
Quick verify
One tap helps the community keep this spot honest.
About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports