Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects a vibrant hard-bottom reef habitat in the Atlantic Ocean just off the Georgia Coast. This 22 square mile area is teeming with numerous species of fish, such as black sea bass, groupers, and snappers. Loggerhead sea turtles forage and rest year-round at Gray’s Reef, and the sanctuary is within the only known winter calving grounds for the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Photos: Greg McFall, NOAA

It’s Summertime by the Sea!

Join us at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary as we celebrate summer on the beautiful and bountiful Georgia coast.

June 27 to August 1 – Gray’s Reef Tuesdays at Tybee Post Theatre Our summer film series continues each Tuesday through August 1 with lots of new ocean movies! Doors open at 6:30pm and movies begin at 7:00pm.

August 12 – Get Into Your Sanctuary Day Experience a 360-degree virtual dive at Gray’s Reef when you visit the Islands Library during Get Into Your Sanctuary Day on August 12. You can also view our exhibit, meet members of our staff, and take home some fun giveaways! In addition, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is sponsoring a photo contestJuly 1 – August 12. We encourage you to take photos while out at Gray’s Reef and join the fun nationwide!

September 22 – 3rd Annual A Fishy Affair  Join us and the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for an evening of fun at this malicious, but delicious lionfish-focused Chef’s challenge featuring four talented local chefs preparing their own unique lionfish dishes.

Gray’s Reef Research Cruise The 2017 Gray’s Reef research cruise aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster culminated with a well-attended open house while she was docked along River Street in Savannah. Read all about the exciting research projects that were conducted during the cruise on the “ships log” blog and take a peek at life on board in this video segment from our friends at WSAV.

For more information please visit

graysreef.noaa.gov