Salt dome/ReefÁrea Marina Protegida

Flower Garden Banks

Profundidad: 21–40 mNivel: Advanced Open WaterMay-October (coral spawning)

It holds the northernmost coral reefs in the United States. Underlying salt domes pushed the seabed upwards and formed oceanic banks and mounds; conditions in the Gulf allowed the reef to begin building between ten and fifteen thousand years ago. It comprises East Flower Garden Bank, West Flower Garden Bank and, since 1996, Stetson Bank, which are not contiguous.

Depth

21–40 m

Recommended level

Advanced Open Water

Average visibility

30 m

Water temperature

24 °C

Current

Weak to moderate

Access

Liveaboard

Best time

May-October (coral spawning)

Recommended certification

Advanced Open Water

Approx. price

180 USD / dive

Ocean Marine protected area

Plan your dive

Best time: May-October (coral spawning)
Approx. price: 180 USD / dive

Protection status

Santuario Marino Nacional de Flower Garden Banks (creado el 17 de enero de 1992; ampliado en 1996 y en 2021)

Did you know

Pese al declive generalizado del coral en las últimas décadas, los dos bancos principales están reconocidos desde hace tiempo como algunas de las comunidades coralinas más sanas del mundo: han sufrido muy poco por huracanes, blanqueamiento y enfermedad.

Sources consulted: Wikipedia (FGBNMS); NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries