Tarpons

[greyhoundmom]

We are four days out. I love Tarpons. My first encounter was 3 years ago when we went sailing on The Pepper from Maho. They took us to Mary's Point...amazing Tarpons. The second time was two years ago on the way to Jost with Capt. Phil. We stopped to snorkel, huge Tarpons. Last year, in the most unlikely place, we went to Trunk early a.m. Looking at the island in the middle, to the right about halfway out, a swarm of people in the water and below us, six five foot Tarpons just weaving in and out...a lot of turbulence of top of the water but below...nirvana! I had a newbie with me and we stayed there for two hours watching the Tarpons. Back to beach and yelling at the the rest of our group (and lots of others) to swim out and see the Tarpons! They all looked at us like we were nuts (we were) but no one came out. So, anyone new to the rock this summer, you must do this if you are at Trunk! I'll be the crazy lady yelling at everyone!

[toni]

We were at salt pond 2years ago first thing in the am all by ourselves and there was all kind of disturbance in the water really close to shore. All we could see were a couple fins sticking out swimming aroundand small fish zipping in front of where we'd see the fins. Now we are minimal snorkelers so we're thinking sharks??? Of course we didnt go in the water! But some people came by after and said maybe tarpon so this might be a place to check out too.

I'm working on the whole snorkeling fear thing, must be watching jaws too many times

[EagleRayLover]

once I was snorkeling through such a big school of silversides that I could not see anything in front of me. Imagine my surprise when a 5-6 foot tarpon was about 10 inches in front of me head to head!! he was harmless but he did take my breath away for a few seconds!

[Gigi]

Greyhoundmom,

When was your Trunk encounter last year? We were there in late July and may have been part of the group of people that were out there with you. It was awesome to see and we swam and followed them for a long time! Got some great video of it too.

[greyhoundmom]

Gigi, we were there on July 28th for a week last year. It's possible we were there on the same day! I'm glad you experienced them too! Would love to see your video if you can post it

[conchman]

My wife and I snorkeled Maho several years ago and encounterd a school of them (maybe like 12, they where every where), they were shoaling the point. At one time one was to my left, right, and below. I was not sure how my wife would react so I played stupid. She said "Did you see that" and I replied, "See What?" On this same snorkel we also saw a spotted eagle ray and a 4' nurse shark. Cool thing about Maho some people do not know, it drops off quickly in depth, between that and the nursery it attracts serious water beasts...we always head there when we go.

[Need2GetAway]

We saw 4 Tarpons very close to shore right in front of Beach Bar!

[Steve S]

In 9 visits with a lot of snorkeling, I have never seen a tarpon .

[liamsaunt]

I've often spotted tarpon at Waterlemon Cay. They seem to hang around in the deep water that's to the left of the Cay (if you are looking at it from shore). I've also seen them around the back at Cinnamon cay, and at Trunk Bay. They are beautiful fish.

[traveler22]

once about 5 years ago, snorkeling,early and alone at the rocky point at Cinnamon.I was just staring into a group of silvers when a very large tarpon zipped right past my mask like a silver bolt of lightning. saw nothing at first but bubbles and more bubbles, couldn't believe how fast it was and so glad it wasn't a shark way cool experience! pure raw nature

[polly]

We usually see tarpon later in the day. We generally go snorkeling after work around 4-5 at Maho and have found them at both ends of the beach. Last Sunday we were at Francis and hit pay dirt- 5 big turtles, 3 octopi, a spotted ray and 2 big tarpon cruising by.

[Need2GetAway]

That's interesting Polly. The tarpons at Beach Bar were during happy hour. lol

[conchman]

Sorry for you luck Steve. Polly might have hit the secrect at Maho ..we were there later afternoon. Only year that we saw that many. We seemed to avoid Maho due to parking. Now we hit it as often as we can.

[psufan]

Had never seen tarpon until this trip. Our first encounter was at the ferry dock when we arrived! We also saw them at Whistling Cay on our snorkle stop with Capt. Phil. Also, from our villa balcony overlooking Francis Bay, we saw a very large fish chasing bait fish. Based on what has been posted here it is very likely that was a tarpon as well.

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

I know that you are excited! Leaving tomarrow in the early am!!!! We sure wish we could stay on with you! We have seen tarpon in several places this trip so they must be realy moving. We did see a really big barracuda and now I am forgetting where... I will call you and let you know where. ( they tend to hang out in the same place most of the time) There is also one big one just off shore mid way on Lovango beach, but the coolest tarpon ( and 1 smaller barrcuda) just under the light off the dock. You might see the same thing off the dingy docks in Cruz bay. You stand there a while and soon your eyes will focus on them scarfing up a meal of tiny little fish that are drawn to the light. They even come up out of the water! Soooo cool. Enjoy your much deserved vacation!!!!