The typical experiment on the cloud cavitating flow around an axisymmetric projectile near the free surface is carried out in a Split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) launching system in this paper. An axisymmetric projectile with flat head is used. The features of cavities are obtained in conditions with different submerged depth. Development of the cavity length and effect of free surface are discussed. The free surface can delay the shed process of the cavity on the upper side, which causes the length difference between the upper and down side. With the decrement of submerged depth, the cavity length difference increases.