All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
January 1
New Years Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
January 17
Sanctuary Anniversary
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was designated on this date in 1992. Check out "20 Things to Love" about the sanctuary!
January 20
Martin Luther King 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
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at Alvin Historical Museum in Alvin, TX through March 2019.
February 11-28
Lionfish Invitational Applications Available
We have scheduled two four-day lionfish research cruises this year: June 9-13 and August 25-29, 2019.
Download your application now and submit by March 15, 2019. Questions? Please contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov
February 18
Presidents Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
February 28
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
This meeting is open to the public with a public comment period beginning at 1 p.m. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov
All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
March 1-15
Lionfish Invitational Applications Available
We have scheduled two four-day lionfish research cruises this year: June 9-13 and August 25-29, 2019.
Download your application now and submit by March 15, 2019. Questions? Please contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov
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
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
May 15
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
This meeting is open to the public with a public comment period beginning at 1 p.m. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov
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 27
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 9-13
Lionfish Invitational I
Collection permits will be issued for a four-day lionfish research cruise on board the recreational dive charter M/V FLING.
Applications are available now and due by March 15, 2019. Questions? Please contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov
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.
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 Video
- Watch Spawning Videos
August 21-24
Mass Coral Spawning
This annual event happens 7-10 days after the full moon in August. Due to the early date of the full moon, there may also be a spawn in September.
- Watch Spawning Videos
August 25-29
Lionfish Invitational II
Collection permits will be issued for a four-day lionfish research cruise on board the recreational dive charter M/V FLING.
Applications are available now and due by March 15, 2019. Questions? Please contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark & Ray Videos
September 2
Labor Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
September 4
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
This meeting is open to the public with a public comment period beginning at 1 p.m. 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 14
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 7
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
This meeting is open to the public with a public comment period beginning at 1 p.m. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov
November 11
Veterans Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
November 28
Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
December 25
Christmas Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
Download 12 Days of Fishmas
Download Holiday Poinsettia
Download Gifts from the Gardens
Visit with Elf From the Shelf