Tarpon

Atlantic Tarpon, Megalops atlanticus
These big silvery fish with what look like stainless steel scales and an overbite are generally five to eight feet long and weigh between 80 and 150 pounds. They are found throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the Atlantic coat of the United States south of Virginia and can survive in estuaries, lagoons and rivers as well as in the ocean.

Although their bony meat leaves them undesirable as a food fish, their renowned fighting spirit makes them a favorite of sport fishermen.

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Whistling Cay Snorkel Map

The Whistling Cay Snorkel, especially around the rocks and underwater canyons on the western tip of the island is one of the best snorkels in St. John waters. The proximity to open waters, and the flow of water through the Fungi Passage and the Narrows attracts fish of many shapes, color and sizes. The underwater boulders, rock formations, canyons, steep grooves, arches and walls, covered with spectacularly colored corals, sponges and tunicates are fascinating to explore. My friend, Dan Silber, who came along on this snorkel along with his girlfriend Maddy, described the area as an underwater garden, I like to borrow from the Beatles and describe it as an octopus’s garden.

More about Whistling Cay:

SeeStJohn.com entry: Snorkeling Whistling Cay

Blog entry about the “Customs House” on Whistling Cay”

Whistling Cay

Google Maps satellite view of snorkeling area	Tarpon	Spanish Mackerel
Bar Jacks	Tarpon being cleaned by a Goby	Colorful Coral, Sponge and Tunicate covered walls