Ocean Discovery Center and Exhibits

Many museums, visitor centers, zoos, and aquaria around the southeastern United States have exhibits dedicated to Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The exhibits offer visitors an opportunity to explore and learn about the resources and connections of the underwater park.

Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center
Savannah, Georgia

Admission: Free

Open 2023

Located in downtown Savannah, Georgia, the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Discovery Center features interactive exhibits for you to explore the wonders of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Visitors can learn about the live-bottom habitats teeming with ocean life, take virtual dives, and learn their personal role in protecting one of our nation's remarkable underwater treasures. The Discovery Store presented by Coastal Heritage Society welcomes you to support your sanctuary with ocean- and Earth-friendly toys, gifts, and books.

Upcoming Openings and Events

Fintastic Friday-Giving Sharks a Voice

Friday, May 12th, 1p–4p

The live-bottom ledges at the sanctuary attract a variety of sharks. Learn about their stories through the center's exhibits and programs. And don't miss the shark meet and greet and program about shark research and our oceans.

International Day for Biological Diversity

Friday, May 26th, 1p–4p

Gray's Reef supports a diverse ocean community with over 200 types of fishes and 900 types of invertebrates. Explore the incredible diversity of our oceans sanctuaries at the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center.

World Ocean Day, Sam Gray's Birthday, Coastal Flora and Fauna Art Exhibit

Thursday, June 8th, 2p–7p

Celebrate our blue planet on World Ocean Day–a global celebration of all the ocean provides. Wish a happy 128th birthday to Milton "Sam" Gray, the sanctuary's namesake. From June 4th to September 3rd, the Coastal Flora and Fauna art exhibit.

Coastal Flora and Fauna Art Exhibit

Where: Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center
When: June 4–September 3, 2023

The exhibition features 10 pieces created by students at Savannah College of Art and Design. The students were inspired by their visit to the University of Georgia Aquarium on Skidaway Island, where they were introduced to marine life as well as coastal habitats and wildlife found on the facility's nature trail which traverses maritime forest and salt marsh habitat. These coastal habitats are nurseries for many species that live at offshore habitats like Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

Ongoing Events

Share the Wonder! Volunteers Needed

Join the sanctuary every Thursday from 3:00-6:00 PM ET at the Ocean Discovery Centerto learn how you can support your national marine sanctuary. Center Visitor Specialists and Interpreter Guides are the first face guests will see when walking into the Ocean Discovery Center! Visitor Specialists welcome guests, guide exploration, share information about Gray's Reef, support public programs and events, and answer questions.

Share the Wonder Volunteer Information

Weekly on Thursday, 3:00-6:00 PM

Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center
340 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, Georgia

Dive Deeper-become a Center Interpreter Guide

Interpreter Guides are trained, either formally or informally, to facilitate learning. Guides are trained to lead interpretive programs and activities about the ocean, and facilitate guest interactions with exhibits and activities.

What to bring: To get started as a volunteer with Gray's Reef, bring two forms of ID-for example a US Passport and valid Driver's License. Gray's Reef staff will answer questions, and help sign you up as a volunteer by complete volunteer forms with you.

Who can volunteer: Any U.S. Citizen, 16 years of age or older. Volunteers should plan to serve a minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month at the Center. Click here for more volunteer information.

Contact: Ben Prueitt, 912-598-2434 (call or text), ben.prueitt@noaa.gov.

Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center Ribbon Cutting and Dedication

Saturday, October 15, 2022

1. John Armor, Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries,
2. Allison Alexander, Vice President, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation,
3. Nick Palumbo, District Alderman, City of Savannah,
4. Matt Brookhart, Regional Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries,
5. Stan Rogers, Superintendent, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary,
6. Cathy Sakas,
7. Chris Williams, Site Coordinator, Deep Center,
8. Jody Patterson, Gray's Reef Chapter Director, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

In the week following the ceremony and ribbon cutting, sanctuary staff and volunteers hosted a public open house with free programs, activities, and giveaways of posters, stickers, and magnets available to all guests.

Coastal Heritage Society

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary partners with the Coastal Heritage Society to create a major exhibit in downtown Savannah associated with the Children's Museum that will educate the public on coastal and marine topics including the role of marine protected areas such as Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary in conserving and protecting these resources for future generations. It features next generation interactive touch tables and exhibits.

Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Tybee Island, Georgia

Year-round programs for island visitors, scouts, and school groups on the beach, in the marsh, on the water, in the classroom, and the Coastal Gallery. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center's mission is to shape a responsible stewardship of Coastal Georgia's natural resources through marine science-based education, conservation, and research.

Gray's Reef theme: Tides, currents, and ocean observations.

University of Georgia's Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MAREX)
Skidaway Island, near Savannah, Georgia

Visitors can explore exhibits featuring over 200 marine animals typical of the habitats found along the Georgia coast.

Gray's Reef theme: Life on the seafloor

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Atlanta, Georgia

Fernbank's signature exhibition, A Walk Through Time in Georgia, tells the two-fold story of Georgia's natural history and the development of our planet. Fifteen galleries combine with theaters and dioramas to explain this complex and fascinating story.

Gray's Reef theme: Creatures of Gray's Reef

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor's Center
Sapelo Island, Georgia

The Sapelo Island Visitors Center serves as a key distribution point for information about educational opportunities and tourism activities such as public and group tours on Sapelo Island and how coastal ecosystems link to research and monitoring within the Reserve. Mainland ferry dock in Meridian, Georgia.

South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston, South Carolina

Be entertained by an intimate look at many of South Carolina's native animals and plants as your journey through the Aquarium takes you from the mountains to the sea.
Gray's Reef theme: Human impacts - marine debris and overfishing

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Columbia, South Carolina

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation's most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks.

Gray's Reef theme: Lionfish and invasive species