All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
January 2
New Years Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
January 16
Martin Luther King Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
January 17
31st Sanctuary Anniversary
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was designated on this date in 1992. Check out "20 Things to Love" about the sanctuary!
All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
February 20
Presidents Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
Early April
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays may still be schooling around the banks in the early part of the month.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
April 28-May 1
City Nature Challenge
Participate in this year's City Nature Challenge by using iNaturalist to identify plants and animals you see in FGBNMS during this world-wide bioblitz. Data from the sanctuary counts as part of the Houston/Galveston region.
Late May
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary toward the later part of the month.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
April 29-May 2
City Nature Challenge
Participate in this year's City Nature Challenge by using iNaturalist to identify plants and animals you see in FGBNMS during this world-wide bioblitz. For the first time ever, data from the sanctuary will count as part of the Houston/Galveston region.
May 19
Endangered Species Day
This is a day to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and what you can do to help protect our nation's disappearing wildlife.
May 30
Memorial Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
June 8
World Ocean Day
This annual Earth Day for the Ocean began in June 2003. Did you know that FGBNMS has some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world?
June 16
World Sea Turtle Day
This day is used to highlight the importance of sea turtles and how they are being affected by human actions.
June 20
Juneteenth Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
June 26-29
Lionfish Invitational
Collection permits will be issued for a three-day lionfish research cruise on board the recreational dive charter M/V FLING.
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
All Month
Squid Aggregations
Aggregations of small squid may be noticed during coral spawning.
- Learn More
- Watch Octopus and Squid Videos
August 18-21
Mass Coral Spawning
This annual event happens 7-10 days after the full moon in August.
- Watch Spawning Videos
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
September 5
Labor Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
September 14
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-1 pm, Webinar
This meeting is open to the public and will include a public comment period. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov
October 8-12
Cephalopod Awareness Days
Check out these amazing mollusks and their relatives in our Mollusk Species List.
October 10
Columbus Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
October 30
National Candy Corn Day
No snacking required! Instead, see if you can identify the animal images that make up this Candy Corn treat. Need help? Clue 1, Clue 2, Clue 3
November 11
Veterans Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
November 15
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-1 pm, Webinar
This meeting is open to the public and will include a public comment period. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov
November 24
Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
December 26
Christmas Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
Download 12 Days of Fishmas
Download Holiday Poinsettia
Download Gifts from the Gardens
Visit with Elf From the Shelf