INTRO

So, now you can’t wait to get there. GREAT! Here are a few things you should know before you go and some helpful links to make your trip run as smoothly as possible…

BEFORE YOU GO

Weather and sea surface conditions can be unpredictable at the Flower Garden Banks so make sure you have the most up to date weather information before you leave shore. High seas and strong currents can make for very challenging dive conditions, not to mention queasy stomachs. For these reasons, the Flower Garden Banks may not the best place for beginning divers.

GETTING TO THE BANKS

There are only a few ways to get out to the Flower Gardens...by Coast Guard Jet or by boat. The most opportune transportation seems to be by boat. But how do you go about getting to a boat?? There are several commercial dive and fishing charter operators that take people out to the sanctuary and surrounding oil and gas platforms. However, if you choose to head out on a private boat, you’ll need to be aware of the sanctuary boundaries, mooring buoy coordinates, sanctuary regulations and reef etiquette.

FISHING CAUTION

On February 5, 2008 the FDA issued a letter of guidance regarding fish caught near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The letter warns that the following species of concern may contain ciguatera toxin, which can be harmful to humans.

Within 10 miles of FGBNMS:

Marbled Grouper (Epinephelus inermis)
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)
Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella)
Dog Snapper (Lutjanus jocu)
Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
Scamp Grouper (Mycteroperca phenax)
Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)

Within 50 miles of FGBNMS:

Yellow Jack (Caranx bartholomaei)
Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus)
Black Jack (Caranx lugubris)
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

For more information regarding the ciguatera toxin, visit the FDA's web site.

AFTER YOUR RETURN

Now you're back on land. Hopefully, you had a great time and saw some awesome critters! Maybe you even took a few pictures or video shots. Did you see something you think is unusual for the Flower Garden or Stetson Banks? Did you get a good photo of markings on the ventral (belly) side of a manta ray? Or, maybe you saw what looked to you like a coral disease or bleaching? The more eyes and minds we have tracking conditions in the sanctuary, the more effectively we can manage and protect this national treasure. We encourage you to share your observations with us. Photo documentation of your observations is especially helpful!