FAQ'S & FACTS
Here are the answers to many of the things you have always wanted to know about the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (and maybe even a few things you didn't realize you wanted to know!) If you cannot find the answer to your question here or somewhere else on our website, feel free to email us
and we will do our best to provide an answer.
When was the sanctuary designated?
Why was the sanctuary designated?
Why is it called the Flower Garden Banks?
Where is the sanctuary located?
What is the total area of the sanctuary?
What is the total area of the reef that is within recreational dive limits?
What will I see when I visit the sanctuary?
How deep is the sanctuary?
How do I get to the sanctuary?
Can I _________ in the sanctuary?
Do I need a permit to _________ in the sanctuary?
Under what part of the government is the sanctuary administered?
When was the sanctuary designated?
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was designated January 17, 1992.
Stetson Bank was added to the sanctuary in 1996. For more information about events
leading up to designation, visit the History page.
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Why was the sanctuary designated?
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was designated because of concerns
that the area needed protection from increasing human activities such as oil and gas
extraction, anchoring on the reefs, and harvesting of the wildlife. Both researchers
and recreational divers were influential in efforts to have the sanctuary designated.
For more information about events leading up to designation, visit the
History page.
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Why is it called the Flower Garden Banks?
At the turn of the century, snapper and grouper fishermen nick-named this area the "Texas Flower Gardens" because of the brightly colored sponges, plants, and other marine life they sometimes snagged and brought to the surface. By the time the sanctuary was designated, the term 'banks' had been added to the name as a reference to the salt dome formations upon which the reefs are perched. For more information about events leading up to designation, visit the History page.
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Where is the sanctuary located?
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is located in the northwestern
Gulf of Mexico and consists of three separate areas: East Flower Garden, West Flower
Garden and Stetson Banks. The two Flower Garden Banks are 12 miles apart and located
100 - 115 miles directly south of the Texas/Louisiana border. Stetson Bank is located
about 70 miles south of Galveston, Texas, about 30 miles northwest of the other two banks.
For more information about sanctuary coordinates, visit the
Trip Preparation page.
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What is the total area of the sanctuary?
The total area of the sanctuary is about 56 square miles (almost 36,000 acres). But, this is divided among three distinct areas...
Area of Sanctuary
| Stetson Bank |
2.18 km2 |
0.84 mi2 |
0.64 nm2 |
540 |
| West Flower Garden Bank |
77.54 km2 |
29.94 mi2 |
22.61 nm2 |
19,162 |
| East Flower Garden Bank |
65.86 km2 |
25.43 mi2 |
19.20 nm2 |
16,273 |
| Total |
145.58 km2 |
56.21 mi2 |
42.45 nm2 |
35,975 |
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What is the total area of the reef that is within recreational dive limits?
Only about 1% of the sanctuary is within the maximum recommended recreational dive depth of 130 feet (39.6 meters). About 2% of East Flower Garden Bank is within recreational dive limits. Stetson and West Flower Garden Banks each have less than 1% of their total area within those limits.
Area of Coral Reef Habitat in Sanctuary
| Stetson Bank |
0.15 km22 |
0.06 mi2 |
0.04 nm2 |
36 (about 28 football fields) |
| West Flower Garden Bank |
0.42 km2 |
0.16 mi2 |
0.12 nm2 |
102 (about 78 football fields) |
| East Flower Garden Bank |
1.43 km2 |
0.55 mi2 |
0.42 nm2 |
354 (about 272 football fields) |
| Total |
2.0 km2 |
0.77 mi2 |
0.58 nm2 |
492 |
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How deep is the sanctuary?
The coral reef cap begins at about 55 feet (~ 17 m) in the Flower Garden Banks
National Marine Sanctuary and continues to a depth of about 160 feet (~ 49 m).
But, that's not the bottom of the sanctuary. A variety of other habitats are found
deeper than the reef cap, where depths range from 160 to 476 feet (~145 m) depending
on your location within the sanctuary.
Maximum Depths in Sanctuary
| Stetson Bank |
59 m / 194 ft |
surrounding plain |
| West Flower Garden Bank |
135 m / 443 ft |
base of southern mound |
| East Flower Garden Bank |
145 m / 476 ft |
eastern edge of bank |
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What will I see when I visit the sanctuary?
The East and West Flower Garden Banks are known for their large boulder corals, primarily brain and star corals, which cover about 50% of the available surface area on the reef cap. Around the reef, you will see many of the same reef fishes common to more familiar Caribbean dive sites, but not quite as much variety. If you are fortunate, you may also see some of the larger residents such as manta rays, sea turtles, and whale sharks, to name a few. At Stetson Bank, you will see upthrust ridges of rock covered in corals, algae, and sponges. In many ways, this makes it easier to see all the variety of reef fishes and invertebrates that call the northwestern Gulf of Mexico home. By looking in all the nooks and crannies you will certainly find eels, urchins, shrimp, lobsters, and shellfish. Large spotted eagle rays and mantas are known to frequent the outer edges of this area, as well. For more information about sanctuary wildlife, visit the Sanctuary Encyclopedia page.
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How do I get to the sanctuary?
The simple answer to this question is, "You need a boat!" There are several commercial
dive and fishing charter operators that take people out to the Flower Garden Banks
National Marine Sanctuary and the surrounding oil and gas platforms. For an alphabetical
listing, visit the Charter Operators page. You may also choose to head out to the sanctuary in a private boat. If this is the case, be sure to review the Visiting Your Sanctuary section to help you plan for your trip.
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Can I anchor in the sanctuary?
No. The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was designated as a "No Anchoring Area" by the International Maritime Organization in 2001. However, vessels of 100 feet or less may tie up to the existing mooring buoys within the sanctuary on a first come, first served basis. For more information on anchoring guidelines, visit the Reef Etiquette and sanctuary Regulations pages.
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Can I fish in the sanctuary?
Visitors to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary are only allowed to fish using traditional hook and line gear. This is defined in the regulations as any fishing apparatus operated aboard a vessel and composed of a single line terminated by a combination of sinkers and hooks or lures and spooled upon a reel that may be hand or electrically operated, hand-held or mounted. All other fishing within sanctuary boundaries, including spear fishing, is strictly prohibited. For more information on fishing regulations, visit the sanctuary Regulations page.
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Can I snorkel in the sanctuary?
Snorkeling is an acceptable recreational activity in the Flower Garden Banks National
Marine Sanctuary. Keep in mind, however, that the reef cap starts at 55 feet and goes
deeper, so you probably won't be able to see much detail of the reef from the surface
of the water. What you may get a good look at are barracuda, jacks, chubs, sea turtles,
manta rays, and maybe even a whale shark. An occasional clump of sargassum may also
provide some interesting viewing if you look closely. Please remember not to harass
any of the animals, just look and enjoy! For more information on suitable snorkeling
behavior, visit the Reef Etiquette page.
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Can I collect shells or fish for my home aquarium in the sanctuary?
While it may be tempting to collect shells or fish from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, it is a prohibited activity. We ask all our visitors to practice a "leave only bubbles, take only memories" philosophy within the sanctuary so that future visitors will have the same opportunity to marvel at all the wonderful creatures living there. Feel free to take pictures, though, so that you can enjoy the images at home. For more information, visit the sanctuary Regulations page.
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Do I need a permit to dive or snorkel in the sanctuary?
No permit is needed to dive or snorkel in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. All we ask is that you observe all of the sanctuary regulations while doing so. For more information, visit the sanctuary Regulations page.
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Do I need a permit to fish in the sanctuary?
No sanctuary issued permit is needed to fish within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. However, you do need to be aware that only traditional hook and line fishing is permitted within the sanctuary boundaries. For more information on fishing regulations, visit the sanctuary Regulations page.
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Do I need a permit to use the mooring buoys in the sanctuary?
No permit is needed to use the mooring buoys within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The only restriction is that vessels using the mooring buoys must be 100 feet or less in length. Mooring buoys are available on a first come first served basis, and courtesy and cooperation are encouraged between vessels. For more information, visit the Trip Preparation
and the Reef Etiquette pages.
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Do I need a permit to conduct research in the sanctuary?
Research is encouraged at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary,
but most research activities DO require a permit. Those interested in conducting
research within the sanctuary should contact the Research Coordinator directly.
We will do our best to help you realize your goals while adhering to sanctuary
regulations and policies. For more information on research activities and
opportunities, visit the Research page.
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Under what part of the government is the sanctuary administered?
The Flower Garden Banks is part of the National
Marine Sanctuary System, an Office within the National
Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. NOAA is part of the Department of
Commerce. Other services in NOAA that you probably recognize are the
National Weather Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service. Please use the
highlighted links to learn more about these government agencies.
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