The Cutting is named after a large crevice in the shore at the head of a small bay, a feature that continues underwater as the reef descends. It lies about 2.8 km south of Port Hacking on the Royal National Park coast and is one of several sites that can only be dived in calm seas because parts of it are shallow. From a sand bottom of about 22 m the reef rises to 17 m and then jumps vertically to 10 m.

East of the anchor the sand is at about 20 m with very large boulders off the reef, and overhangs and holes at around 17 m. The southern section slopes more gently up to 10 m, and the reef top ranges from 10 m up to 5 m. The 10–12 m zone normally holds prolific fish – yellowtail, seapike and ladder-finned pomfret in schools, one-spot pullers and black reef and mosaic leatherjackets – and a resident large black ray frequents the area.

Port Jackson sharks are plentiful in August and September, and small rays rest on the sand. The reef is covered in sponges, small gorgonians and sea squirts with plenty of nudibranchs. McFadyen describes it as a very nice dive site.

The range of depths lets divers spend the first part of the dive deeper among the big boulders and finish in the fish-filled shallows, and the site is a good second dive after a deep site such as Barrens Hut or The Split. The Cutting North Reef, just to the north, is a separate site. It suits Open Water divers comfortable on boats, on a calm day.

Boat only. Launch in Port Hacking (Gunnamatta Bay/Tonkin Park at Cronulla, Lilli Pilli or Bundeena ramps), run out through the entrance and turn right (south), passing between Jibbon Bombora and Jibbon Head in suitable weather, then follow the Royal National Park cliffs south. The Cutting is about 2.8 km south of Port Hacking, 10–12 minutes by boat.

McFadyen's GPS is 34° 05.9283' S 151° 09.8450' E. Look for the large crevice in the shore at the head of a small bay, which continues underwater, and anchor on the reef in 12–17 m. Calm seas are needed because parts of the site are shallow.

The Royal National Park coast south of Jibbon faces east and takes swell from the north-east round to the south-east; southerly swell partly wraps around. These sites lie close to the cliffs, and the shallower ones need calm seas so that boats can anchor near shore and divers are not caught in surge – plan on seas under about 1–1.5 m. Westerly and north-westerly winds give the best conditions; a strong north-easter makes the return to Port Hacking rough.

Visibility is generally good because the coast is far from urban runoff, typically 12–20 m, occasionally 30 m. The shallow reef top at 5–10 m surges badly in any swell, so this is a calm-day site. Port Jackson sharks gather in large numbers in late winter (August–September).

Descend and go east over the boulder-strewn bottom to the overhangs and holes at about 17 m, return to the anchor, then explore the southern section's gentler slope and follow the 10–12 m contour back towards the anchor, finishing on the 5–10 m reef top if gas allows.

No regular charter – private boat or dive-club (St George Scuba Club) only; no charter boat currently operates out of Port Hacking.