All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Ray Video
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
January 1
New Years Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
January 15
Martin Luther King 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!
All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Ray Video
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
February 19
Presidents Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
All Month
Schooling Rays & Hammerheads
Hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays school around the banks.
- Learn More
- Watch Ray Video
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
March 24
Ocean Discovery Day
9 am-3 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston
A FREE day of fun and discovery at the NOAA Galveston Lab. Family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
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 Ray Video
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is looking for a new home starting in April 2018. Please contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov for more information.
April 21
Earth Day at UTMB
10 am-2 pm, Corner of 6th & Market, Galveston
Stop by and visit our booth, see UTMB's annual "recycled fashion" show, and learn what Galveston groups are doing to be green.
Late May
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary toward the later part of the month.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark Video
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 29
Memorial Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark Video
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 14-30
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
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 25
Cousteau Red Hat Day
Wear a red cap today in memory of Jacques Cousteau! Celebrate Cousteau’s immense contri-butions to marine science and conservation, including the production of more than 120 documentaries, advancing the science of scuba, and promoting environmental activism.
June 29
Boundary Expansion Working Group Meeting
5-8 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Bldg 216, Galveston, TX
Public meeting to review & discuss proposal for sanctuary expansion. Public comment will be accepted.
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Squid Aggregations
Aggregations of small squid may be noticed during coral spawning.
- Learn More
- Watch Octopus and Squid Video
- Watch Spawning Videos
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
August 12
Get Into Your Sanctuary Day
This day is set aside for a nationwide celebration of our National Marine Sanctuaries. Stay tuned for more details...
August 13-16
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 27-31
Lionfish Invitational
Collection permits will be issued for a four-day lionfish research cruise on board the recreational dive charter M/V FLING.
If you are interested in participating in this lionfish removal effort, please contact Michelle.A.Johnston@noaa.gov
All Month
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks may be sighted in the sanctuary.
- Learn More
- Watch Shark Video
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
September 4
Labor Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
September 12-15
Possible Mass Coral Spawning
This annual event usually happens 7-10 days after the full moon in August, but, due to the early date of the August full moon, there may also be a spawn in September.
- Watch Spawning Videos
September 20
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
Meeting is open to the public and a public comment period is scheduled for 1 p.m.
October 8-12
Cephalopod Awareness Days
Check out these amazing mollusks and their relatives in our Mollusk Species List.
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
October 9
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
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
November 10
Veterans Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
November 15
Advisory Council Meeting
9 am-4 pm, 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston
Meeting is open to the public and a public comment period is scheduled for 1 p.m.
November 23
Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Sanctuary offices closed.
All Month
Reef on the Road Exhibit
This traveling exhibit about the sanctuary is on display at City By the Sea Museum in Palacios, TX through March 2018.
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