Where and when to see tarpon
Large, silver, prehistoric-looking fish that gather in schools under docks, in caverns and around wrecks in the Caribbean.
This guide documents sightings in 3 Good Dives regions.
Where to plan your trip
Our picks for a trip focused on tarpon, chosen for the encounters below. Calendar peaks describe timing, not a ranking of destinations.
Tarpon around shore-accessible grottoes
Scuba diving
Cayman IslandsEden Rock and Devil’s Grotto offer a named tarpon experience close to George Town. Discuss the open-water route and any overhead sections with your guide.
Target: tarpon
Ask about: Eden Rock · Devil’s Grotto
Tarpon on a house-reef night dive
Scuba diving
BonaireBuddy’s Reef is documented for tarpon hunting after dark. Choose this for night behavior and repeat shore access; follow the guide’s light etiquette.
Target: tarpon
Ask about: Buddy’s Reef
Tarpon sighting calendar
Calendar months, every year
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman IslandsCayman Islands | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| BonaireCaribbean Netherlands | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely.
Calendars describe animal presence, not weather or site access; check each region’s dive season. For grouped animals, a marked month may apply to only one member of the group. Sightings vary by site and dive.