Named for a tall and narrow passage that attracts large numbers of Tarpon, this unique dive site features these silvery giants hovering one behind another as if waiting in line, hemmed in by rocky sides. Undisturbed by divers, Tarpon only move if closely approached, and even then it is a slow and apathetic retreat — you can almost imagine them huffing and rolling their eyes as they casually move away. Their combination of vast size and total indifference to divers makes for some of the most relaxed and up-close wildlife encounters on the East End.

It is worth spending much of the dive away from the miniwall exploring the giant freestanding coral heads that dot the pristine sandy bottom — each one is an independent reef in its own right, with sponges, hard corals, and soft corals competing for limited real estate, surrounded by schools of colorful reef fish. One of the coral heads has a fun swim-through for added variety. Its remarkably close location to the shoreline and big swell means Tarpon Terrace is not always diveable, but on a good day it is absolutely one to remember.