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VISITOR INFORMATON
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Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of the largest near shore live-bottom reefs of the southeastern United States. It is just one of 14 marine protected areas that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System that encompass more than 150,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington State to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa; and one of three marine sanctuaries that make up the Southeast Region. It is governed by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Gray's Reef is the only natural area protected off the Georgia coast. The 17 square nautical miles (about 11,000 acres) of Gray's Reef protects habitat that is recognized both nationally and internationally.
Within the sanctuary there are rocky ledges and flat and rippled sand plains. Gray's Reef is not a coral reef such as those found in the tropics. It is not built by living hard corals. Instead, it is a rock outcropping which stands above the shifting sands of the continental shelf. It supports a wide variety of invertebrates, soft corals and sponges. Those in turn support a wide variety of reef and pelagic fishes making Gray's Reef a popular spot for both diving and recreational fishing. |
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Location
The sanctuary is located 32 kilometers (17.5 nautical miles) off Sapelo Island, Georgia, between Savannah and Brunswick GA and 60-70 feet below the ocean surface.
The Sanctuary is only accessible by boat, and does not run boat tours, fishing trips or dive trips. However, many independent boat operators run fishing and dive trips to the Sanctuary. Gray's Reef promotes compatible uses of its resources. As such, the Sanctuary is used as a living classroom by educators and a variety of education programs are based on the resources of the Sanctuary. In addition, scientists use the Sanctuary as a living laboratory for many marine research projects.
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The Gray's Reef administrative offices are on the north end of Skidaway Island near Savannah, GA, on the campus of Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Our mailing address is 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411. Our main line phone number is 912-598-2345. To reach our offices, alter the last step of these driving directions to Skidaway Institute of Oceanography by following McWhorter Drive only 3.9 miles, and when you see the open field on left, the Gray's Reef drive will be a gravel driveway on the right with a 3-4 foot anchor with lettering GSU Lab on it, by a tree at the entrance.
Gray's Reef has exhibit partnerships with the The Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, GA) Tybee Island Marine Science Center (Tybee Island, near Savannah, GA), the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Atlanta, GA), the University of Georgia's Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MECA) (Skidaway Island, near Savannah, GA.), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, GA.), and the South Carolina Aquarium (Charleston, SC). Each of these facilities hosts an exhibit about Gray's Reef, its environment, the marine life found there and its importance within the National Marine Sanctuary Program. Exhibits range from dioramas to tanks with live animals and invertebrates to interactive and videos. Gray's Reef continues to expand its exhibit outreach.
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Boundaries, Regulations and Permitting
Beginning February 16, 2007, regulations will only allow use of rod and reel, handline and spearfishing gear without powerheads for fishing within the Sanctuary. The regulations also prohibit anchoring; alteration of and construction / abandonment on the seabed; damage to or removal of bottom formations and other natural or cultural resources; and discharge of substances or materials. Gray's Reef enforces these regulations to promote compatible resource use through interagency agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard and the NOAA's Office for Law Enforcement. For more information view the program Boundaries, Regulations, and Permitting procedures.
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Recreation
Gray's Reef is one of the most popular spots off the Georgia coast for recreational fishing and diving. The sanctuary is only accessible by private boat. The Sanctuary does not run boat tours, fishing trips or dive trips. However, independent boat operators run fishing trips and dive trips to the Sanctuary. Gray's Reef does not make recommendations.
Sport fishing occurs year-round but at different levels of intensity. Fishing for pelagic species such as king mackerel is one of the most popular activities; sport fishing tournaments sponsored by private fishing clubs and marinas take place in the spring and Gray's Reef is a popular destination for participants.
When the new regulations become effective on February 16, 2007, only specific types of fishing gear will be allowed (i.e. rod and reel, handline, and spearfishing gear without powerheads) at Gray's Reef. It will also be against regulations to drop an anchor in Gray's Reef except during an emergency. See the regulations section for details.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division publishes numerous brochures that can be mailed or downloaded and offer information about the Environment, Fishing - Fisheries (Angler's Guide, Offshore Artificial Reef, Fishing Regulations, etc.), Coastal Management and Shellfish.
Gray's Reef is an open ocean environment; divers encounter strong currents and occasionally low visibility. Temperatures vary by season and range from 50° F (10°C) to 80°F (26°C.).
Pelagic bird watching at Gray's Reef is growing in popularity. Some of the species seen in the Sanctuary include true pelagic birds - birds like shearwaters, petrels and bridled terns that spend their entire lives at sea except when they nest or are blown inshore during heavy storms-- as well as seabirds like gulls and royal terns that forage at sea but return regularly to land. |
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Stash Your Trash
It is illegal to deposit any trash in the sanctuary. Fish or fish parts, bait or chumming material are the only acceptable disposables. You can make a big difference by picking up plastic you see floating in the water. Birds, fish, mammals, and sea turtles can get entangled in plastic items or mistake them for food, and may die of starvation or poisoning when plastic is in their stomachs. Plastic debris in the water can also foul propellers and clog or damage engine intake systems. Sea birds, sea turtles and marine mammals can get entangled in monofilament line, do not discard it in the water. Participate in beach clean-ups and leave the beach clean after your visit. Please help remove cans, bottles, plastics and all other trash from the marine environment by always stowing your trash for disposal in port.
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Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles
It is possible that you will encounter a highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale when visiting Gray's Reef; the Sanctuary is near the only known calving ground for the whales and near an area designated as critical habitat. Federal rules require that you get no closer to a north atlantic right whale than 500 yards - the length of five football fields. Further information can be found at NOAA Fisheries Service: Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan site.
Both bottlenose and spotted dolphin are seen in the Sanctuary. To report a whale sighting or to report an injured or distressed whale, dolphin or sea turtle, call the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-272-8363.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends you stay at least 100 yards away from all animals, whether in the water or on shore. In addition, it is illegal to feed any marine mammals. It could be dangerous to you and is not healthy for the animals.
Loggerhead sea turtles are frequently seen resting and foraging at Gray's Reef; other sea turtle species sometimes pass through the sanctuary. It is illegal to harm or harass these animals. Divers need to resist the temptation of touching or prodding a resting loggerhead; never try to hitch a ride on a sea turtle. And remember, all sea turtles can mistake floating plastic for food - stash your trash! |
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Spills and Discharges
Fish, birds, and mammals are especially sensitive to even small amounts of toxic compounds in oil, fuel, and other petroleum products. You can help protect fish and wildlife by preventing fuel spills and bilge oil discharge. Put absorbent pads in your bilge and wipe up any spills quickly. Use absorbent pads, not detergents to clean spills. Report spills you see to the Coast Guard's National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
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Watch Out For Divers
The Sanctuary belongs to everyone. Recreational anglers share the waters with both recreational and working divers. Sanctuary staff and visiting scientists regularly conduct dive operations. Be on the lookout for boats flying dive flags - a red flag with a white bar at an angle - and keep at least 100 yards away - the length of a football field.
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