Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary December Recap

Work With Us!

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries  is partnering with Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. to look  for a deckhand and small boat captain for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Both positions are located in Savannah, Georgia. For more information about each role, check out the links below.

The research vessel Gannet is the main platform for research and monitoring of the sanctuary. Photo: Ben Prueitt

Dive Training for Gray's Reef

Members of the dive team for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary completed a day of pool training at the Chatham County Aquatics Center in Savannah, Georgia. The divers received new equipment in the winter of 2025 and hopped in the pool to familiarize themselves with the new gear. The team also practiced rescue and top-side response scenarios to maintain safety skills. Maintaining current dive skills and comfortability with new dive gear directly supports the conduction of safe dive operations. As our team prepares for long-term monitoring projects, it is essential that our divers feel safe and confident throughout the off season.

Divers practice rescue scenarios to maintain diver readiness in the field. Photo: Mary Quinn/NOAA

Divers prepare to enter the pool for a day of training and skill refreshing. Photo: Mary Quinn/NOAA

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Co-Hosts the Annual Whale Week

Beginning on December 1st, 2025, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary joined Tybee Island Marine Science Center and other local organizations to celebrate the return of the North Atlantic right whales. All week, various organizations hosted different events centered around North Atlantic right whales including: Starland Yard Trivia Night with a whale themed scavenger hunt; Whale Bingo at the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center; Whales and Women Panel at Front Porch Improv; and Whale Fest on Tybee Island! To learn more about North Atlantic right whales, check out our marine mammals and turtle page on our website.

Outreach tables provide information about the sanctuary and North Atlantic right whales. Photo: Danielle Oxman/NOAA

Upcoming Events with Gray's Reef

Volunteer Recruitment Event: January 13th, 2026

Interested in volunteering with Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary? Join us at the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center on January 13th from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (ET) to learn about our volunteer opportunities. Please email graysreef@noaa.gov if you plan to attend.

The Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is located at 340 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia.

Super Museum Sunday: February 8th, 2026

On Sunday, February 8th, 2026, the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is opening its doors from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to participate in Georgia's annual Super Museum Sunday! Come explore our new exhibits, play the life-sized whale migration game, take a virtual dive to Gray's Reef, and more! 

The Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is located at 340 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia.

Opening Celebration of the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center: February 28th, 2026

We invite you to celebrate Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary's Ocean Discovery Center's new exhibits on February 28th from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (ET) at the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center in Savannah, Georgia. Come view the newly reimagined, museum-quality exhibits and enjoy an exciting, family-friendly sustainability block part in the heart of downtown Savannah. Learn more about the event here.

The Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is located at 340 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia.

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