Welcome to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

school of fish in background

Christmas tree worms attached to coral colony. The two feather-like appendages (radioles) on each worm resemble Christmas trees as they protrude from their protective tube.

Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life!

Sanctuary Calendar Of Events

Sanctuary Condition Report Released

The sanctuary's first Condition Report, released November 12th, shows that the sanctuary is in good condition, but faces some emerging threats.

Science Reports Updated

Several sanctuary science reports are now available on the web:

Post-Ike Reef Assessment

Coral Spawning Cruise 2008

ICRS Field Trip

Click the above links to access the reports.

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
4700 Avenue U, Building 216
Galveston, TX 77551
p) 409-621-5151
f) 409-621-1316
flowergarden@noaa.gov

French angelfish in foreground; large boulder corals in background. French angelfish is dinner plate size oval shaped, blue body with body scales bright yellow on their edges.