The Cutt

The Cutt is a tidal channel dive site in the Abaco Islands of the northern Bahamas, located near Guana Cay. The channel cut between the cays funnels tidal flow, creating currents that attract sharks, rays, and pelagic fish.

Overview

Located in the Abaco Island chain near Guana Cay (approximately 26.75°N, 77.87°W), The Cutt is a tidal channel where ocean water is forced between two cay formations. Channel cuts like this one are a feature of Abaco diving — the tidal currents concentrate nutrients and attract larger predatory fish. Divers drop in at one end and drift with the current through the cut, with the boat repositioning to the exit point. Reefs flank the channel and provide the main visual interest between current pulses.

Site Information

• Location: Guana Cay area, Abaco Islands, Bahamas
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Drift dive
• Maximum Depth: 18 meters
• Current: Moderate to strong depending on tidal stage — dive at incoming tide
• Best Time: November to May

Marine Life

The ScubaBoard thread cited for this site specifically mentions that “the flow through the cut can sometimes bring sharks and rays into the area” for a cut north of Guana Cay — this is the only site-adjacent confirmation found, and it does not name species. The previously-listed “Caribbean reef sharks and eagle rays” are a reasonable regional inference (both are common in Abaco tidal cuts generally) but are not confirmed by name in the source. Grouper and snapper “congregating around the channel edges” and the coral/sponge/invertebrate claims are generic regional statements with no site-specific source found today — treat them as plausible but unconfirmed for this exact location.

Dive Profile

Coordinate entry timing carefully with the boat captain. Enter when tidal flow is building but not yet at maximum. Drift through the channel at a comfortable depth, using natural rock formations for reference points. The boat picks up divers at the exit point, making this a one-way drift. Depths through the cut range from approximately 10 to 18 meters.

Entry and Exit

Boat drift dive only. This is not a site suitable for solo diving or independent shore entry. Work with a local Abaco dive operator who knows the tidal timing for this specific channel.

Tips and Recommendations

• Check the tide tables before diving — the dive window is 30-60 minutes around the right tidal stage
• Carry an SMB and deploy it as you ascend so the boat can track you
• If the current is too strong, abort and reschedule — pushing against this kind of flow is dangerous

Safety Considerations

Strong tidal currents are the primary hazard. Do not attempt to dive against the current. If separated from the group, ascend and deploy your SMB. The current direction reverses fully — do not re-enter at the wrong tidal stage. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving techniques before attempting this site.

Re-audit note (2026-07-17): Re-fetched the ScubaBoard thread today; it does contain a relevant forum post describing “going out the cut north of Guana Cay and running south,” noting “the flow through the cut can sometimes bring sharks and rays into the area” — consistent with, but not a rigorous confirmation of, the channel-dive characterization used here. Actively searched for additional independent sources: Dive Guana’s own site (diveguana.com/scuba-diving-and-island-hopping.html) lists Guana Cay-area dive/snorkel destinations (Hope Town, Green Turtle Cay, Man-O-War Cay, No Name Cay, Manjack Cay, north end of Guana Cay) but does not name or describe “The Cutt” specifically. A general Abaco dive-site search surfaced named sites in the region (Guana Coral Caverns, The Cathedral, The Towers, Grouper Alley, Wayne’s World, Tarpon Reef, Coral Caverns, Catacombs, Ledge) but none matching “The Cutt” by name. abacoescape.com’s snorkeling page could not be retrieved with usable content. No additional independent, content-bearing source was found. Recommendation: validated should remain false.

Sources: ScubaBoard - Diving in Abaco (re-verified 2026-07-17 — forum post confirms a current-driven cut north of Guana Cay draws sharks and rays, but this is an informal, non-authoritative source). Only one source found; validation status remains false pending additional independent sources. Description based on confirmed GPS location and regional channel-dive characteristics in Abaco, not a dedicated site profile. Last updated 2026-07-17.