Interactives and Experiences

A scuba diver holds an underwater video camera next to a yellow sponge.
Underwater cameras and other technologies help you explore the sanctuary virtually. Photo:Greg McFall/NOAA

Sanctuaries 360°

Explore the Virtual Dive Gallery of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Click on an image below to start your dive. These sanctuary views can be enjoyed on a personal computer or a smartphone.

A 360-degree photo of a school of silver fish with a black stripe swim through a live-bottom reef habitat.
Divers visiting Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary are often surrounded by schooling fish. The larger striped fish in this photograph are the Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber). Photo: Bill Goodwin/NOAA in collaboration with The Ocean Agency
A 360-degree photo of a live-bottom ledge with a blue sponge growing on the corner.
Large sponges like this blue Dysida fragilis sponge are found throughout Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Steve Lonhart/NOAA in collaboration with The Ocean Agency
A 360-degree, underwater photo of a rock ledge and undercut with marine life growing on it.
This is a typical ledge feature in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, including an overhanging ledge under which loggerhead sea turtles are often found resting. Photo: Steve Lonhart/NOAA in collaboration with The Ocean Agency
A 360-degree, underwater photo of a sand-covered seafloor and a school of fish swimming.
Scientific equipment 一 like this hydrophone 一 capture underwater sounds of the sanctuary. Researchers use these recordings to identify which fish use the sanctuary at certain times of the year. Photo: Jon Martinez/NOAA in collaboration with The Ocean Agency

View more in the Sanctuaries 360 Virtual Dive Gallery.

GPB Live Exploration: Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

In May 2017, Georgia Public Broadcasting hosted a virtual exploration of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for students and teachers. Two ocean experts guided the students through the Gray's Reef, the national marine sanctuary system, and the importance of marine conservation.

Exploring the Sounds of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

An underwater picture of a fish with animated sound waves coming from its mouth.
Gray's Reef researchers explore the importance of sound underwater. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

Sanctuary staff Kristafer Howard and Alison Soss join Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants exploring research projects happening at Gray's Reef and what it's like to live on a research boat in the middle of the ocean. View the exploration here.

360° Videos of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Life at Gray's Reef

The live-bottom habitat supports life for thousands of ocean species with three remarkable ones appearing in this short clip. A red snapper takes a close look, and then turn your view to see a nurse shark swim past. Finish with a graceful flyover from a loggerhead sea turtle showing no fear of the shark just below. Video courtesy of Peter J. Auster/University of Connecticut funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

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Black Sea Bass Surprise Attack

Black sea bass are the most abundant predator at Gray's Reef. Their group ambush style of feeding is seen here as a school of tomtate drift over a rocky ledge. Video courtesy of Peter J. Auster/University of Connecticut funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

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Blue Angelfish Grazing Along Reef

Blue angelfish are colorful reef residents living at the reef. Angelfish graze on algae, but also eat other animals like sponges, corals, and tunicates. Blue angelfish have distinct iridescent blue markings on the head. Video courtesy of Peter J. Auster/University of Connecticut funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

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Group of Black Sea Bass and Tomtate Drifting With Currents

A school of black sea bass drift with the currents of Gray's Reef. Among them are other species of fish, tomtate, and cubbyu. Watch how the school of fish moves in unison to confuse any oncoming predators. Video courtesy of Peter J. Auster/University of Connecticut funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

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School of Ladyfish Swimming

Pan behind to see a school of ladyfish swimming through Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Ladyfish spawn offshore in the fall and move inshore to shallower waters where they spend their lives. Video courtesy of Peter J. Auster/University of Connecticut funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

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