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

Hours:

Thursday–Saturday

10:00 AM–4:00 PM

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.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Exhibits for Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center

Letter of Intent: October 5, 2023

Industry Day: October 12, 2023

RFP closes November 15, 2023

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) requires support to design, construct, and install technologically-sophisticated, interactive exhibits for the GRNMS Ocean Discovery Center in Savannah, Georgia. The exhibits will interpret the primary themes of the interpretive plan for GRNMS and the Ocean Discovery Center, using technologies such as digital media, virtual or augmented reality, and other elements to showcase sanctuary science and resource protection activities, ocean conservation, and local/regional historical stories and contexts. These modern and engaging exhibits would establish the Ocean Discovery Center as a premier attraction in historic Savannah with over 14 million annual visitors.

Upcoming Events

Saving the Right Whale” Film Screening & Women and Whales Panel

Friday, November 17, 2023, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

“Saving the Right Whale” Film Screening, 10:00–11:15 AM

As part of Georgia Whale Week, the PBS documentary, “Saving the Right Whale”, follows marine biologists and whale rescuers determined to help save the North Atlantic right whale. Join Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and Tybee Island Marine Science Center throughout the week for a film screening offering a glimpse into the lives of these giants of the sea and their prospects for survival. Following the film will be a catered lunch.

Women and Whales Panel, 12:45–2:00 PM

Following the film screening, join the Women and Whales Panel discussion of women who work tirelessly to save these incredible animals. Women make significant contributions to whale conservation. Hear about their stories, work, and journey in saving the North Atlantic right whale.

Ongoing Events

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.

Share the Wonder! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to open the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center and help our community learn about the wonders of our oceans along the Georgia Coast. The two volunteer roles–Visitor Specialists and Interpreter Guides–are the first faces guests will see when entering the Ocean Discovery Center.

Visitor Specialists welcome guests, share information about Gray's Reef, and support public programs and events. Visitor Specialists are crucial to center guests learning how they can connect, discover, and explore at Gray’s Reef.

Interpreter Guides help bring deeper meaning to the sanctuary with storytelling or connections we have to the ocean and coastal environments. Guides are trained to lead interpretive programs and activities about the ocean, and facilitate guest interactions with exhibits and activities.

Share the Wonder invites you to support your national marine sanctuary by volunteering your time and help open the Ocean Discovery Center to our coastal southeast communities. Contact the sanctuary volunteer coordinator to schedule a time to learn more and sign up to volunteer.

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

Mary Quinn, 912-598-2417 (call or text), mary.quinn@noaa.gov

Share the Wonder Volunteer Information

Opening Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:00 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 valid driver’s license, AND a US Passport, OR birth certificate, OR social security card. Gray's Reef staff will help sign you up as a volunteer and answer questions.

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.

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.

Other Exhibits

Curvy Wave Walls

A series of five exhibits explore the wonders of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary including scientific research, life at the sanctuary, recreation, history of the sanctuary, and about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This exhibit set is currently displayed across the Live Oak Public Libraries in Savannah, Georgia through April 2024. Library programs accompany the exhibits throughout the winter, more information at the link above.

• Springfield Library - Charismatic Megafauna + Invertebrates
• Oglethorpe Mall Library - Habitat and History
• Garden City Library - Research and Fishes
• Islands Library - Fishing, Diving and Community
• Hinesville Library - NOAA timeline and mission

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