Fishing happens here! Gray’s Reef is a popular spot off the Georgia coast for recreational fishing and diving. Sport fishing occurs year-round but at different levels of intensity. Anglers protect and preserve Gray’s Reef for future generations by fishing sustainably and using sanctuary best practices.
Diving happens here! Advanced divers who make a 65-foot dive at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary will be amazed by the vivid colors of its soft corals and sponges. This natural live-bottom reef provides wonders for divers, boaters,and anglers.
Each summer, Gray’s Reef joins the National Marine Sanctuary System in celebrating Get Into Your Sanctuary events to help you make the most of your national marine sanctuaries and protected waters.
The sanctuary operates two research vessels (R/Vs), the 36-foot R/V Sam Gray and the 41-foot R/V Joe Ferguson. Both are used for research and monitoring, diving, education and public outreach, and testing emerging technologies. The sanctuary boats log as many as 80 days-at-sea a year to conduct research, and support local partners in missions and drills. These days-at-sea yield research data that contribute to continued protection of resources within the sanctuary, and also reach the public through staff’s participation in outreach events and publications by our staff and partners.
Dr. Vernon J. ‚Jim‘ Henry was an early investigator of the geologic foundation of Gray’s Reef. The importance of his early work developed both the framework of following geologic studies and enhanced the appreciation and understanding of Gray’s Reef.
The Gray’s Reef we know today has only been underwater for the last 16,000 years, a short time compared to the South Atlantic’s history. Due to glacial periods, the site of Gray’s Reef is known to have been dryland at least seven times throughout Earth’s history. Changes in sea level over millions of years caused layers of sediments to collect while underwater, and compact when exposed to air, building the sandstone strata below Gray’s Reef.
Gray’s Reef is teeming with marine life一from loggerhead sea turtles that rest at the reef, to the more than 200 unique species of fishes and sharks and 900 species of invertebrates. With the abundance of marine life, the sights and sounds while scuba diving are also unique to the region.
The rocky outcroppings and complex habitat, seasonally warm waters, and abundance of food at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary attract large ocean animals, also known as megafauna. The sanctuary is teeming with marine life, from sharks and dolphins to migratory sea turtles and whales.
Gray’s Reef is a live-bottom reef off the coast of Georgia.
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary offers opportunities for fishing and diving throughout the year. The sanctuary also has a visitor center in Savannah, Georgia, and online, virtual experiences for those who don’t have a boat to travel to the offshore sanctuary.
