The Ocean 1 Rogue 330 is two boats in one, sort of.
Engineered to provide top performance with supreme comfort, the stepped hull combines a lightweight cored composite construction with inflatable side tubes for exceptional stability. The Ocean 1 Rogue 330 can go fishing and off to dinner without missing a beat.
Additionally, thanks to soft sides, some superyacht owners are eyeing this design as the perfect, bump-free, scratch-free tender.
With twin Yamaha 300-hp outboards, expect a top speed in excess of 50 knots and with 275 gallons of fuel capacity, she can run all-day exploration trips in waters where the mothership can’t venture. Seating abounds with two that foldout across the transom, two integrated into the port and starboard hull sides aft and one atop the cooler that rests behind the post. A double bench accommodates the driver and a guest behind a well-laid-out dash.
Forward are two lounges with flip-up backrests, but if you remove the cushions, the whole bow becomes a casting platform.
Invincible Boats adds its new 35-foot catamaran to the 2019 lineup.
The Morrelli & Melvin-designed Invincible 35 Catamaran center console is the eighth model overall and the third in the catamaran line. Multiple engine packages include twins from various manufacturers, but a quad configuration will also be available.
To eliminate negative trim or ballast, each option is balanced and maintains a perfect running angle. Separate coffin boxes will remain standard as on the larger 40-foot model; however, there will be an option for an integrated console coffin as well as additional seating choices.
Invincible’s patent-pending, hybrid, semi-asymmetric, multihull design is more maneuverable with steady “lean-in” turns at a range of speeds. This enhances stability and safety beyond traditional hull designs. The 35-foot cat purportedly provides more space than a 39-foot monohull on its single-level deck, which is sure to enhance its fishability.
Returning to its “performance roots,” the Sunseeker Hawk 38 is a welcome surprise from the big boat brand.
The Sunseeker Hawk 38, a Fabrio Buzzi-designed stepped hull, is powered by twin Mercury 400Rs.
She reached 79 mph during a sea trial on Lake Como in Italy.
Besides the hair-raising turn of speed, the unusual hull has Hypalon 866 STAB inflatable tubes on each side to help with stability and breadth. She won’t leave dings on the superyacht she calls home.
The Sunseeker Hawk 38 isn’t just a ship-to-shore commuter. The Hawk 38 can venture far on her own with features like a carbon fiber hardtop, twin drawer refrigerators, aft-facing speakers for swimmers and skiers, a head and vanity below. Plus, there’s plenty of guest seating including a cozy C-shaped dinette in the bow.
Sunseeker claims this speedster is unsinkable and offers extensive customization because if you own this center console, it better not look like anyone else’s.
Stephen Dougherty’s new line of boats is ramping up in its Edgewater, Florida, facility and starts with the Solace 345.
The future-forward Solace 345 features a patent-pending “FishThru” transom design where the hydraulic aft swim platform extends four feet beyond the transom door and between the twin outboard engines. The extra length adds a formidable space that allows divers and swimmers a safe and comfortable entry into the water.
Dual 52-gallon, fully finished, pressurized livewells with tuna tubes sit to port and starboard. The bait prep center includes twin stainless steel drawer refrigerators, an electric grill, a bait rigging bin, and a freshwater sink with a pullout shower. That’s a lot going on in the center of the cockpit.
Add sleeping accommodations for two, a microwave, a second station on the T-top, and ample rod storage, and you’re in fishing heaven. When the fishing is done for the day, relax on any number of seating options from three-wide at the helm to the hydraulic mezzanine seat to the sunpad ahead of the console. The new 345 is expected to be
a perfect balance for work and play.
Blackfin launched its new 332CC with a choice of engine packages.
Opt for either twin Yamahas (300-hp to 425-hp) or twin Mercurys (300-hp to 400-hp) and expect to reach top speeds from 45 to 57 mph depending on engine choice and conditions. The central rigging station doubles as the entertainment center with two large pullout coolers and twin sinks so you can keep your fish guts and your hors d’ oeuvres separate.
The hardtop can be accessed via the aft cockpit as well as a dedicated hatch, and there’s a pantographic door to the head. Forward of the console, you’ll find a lounge with large integrated storage for buckets or dive tanks. Access to it is easy with the help of gas shocks that hold the compartment open. At the helm, the driver benefits from twin MFDs and an electrically operated helm seat with folding armrests. The Blackfin 332CC is a solid option for anglers wanting a bit more than a fishing platform.
If showmanship is your game, look no further than the new Cigarette Tirranna 59.
The bold center console takes “flashy” to a new level. Powered by six Mercury 400Rs, the Cigarette Tirranna 59 has a combined 2,400 horsepower to get you to the moon and back.
A carbon fiber hardtop caps off the jet-black hull. The boat is accessorized with a seating configuration in fire-engine-red upholstery. By contrast, the Poltrona Frau leather interior is black and white—more subtle but sure to impress.
Despite her bold, knife-like hull shape, the Tirranna offers practical features for family outings. Those include an aft deck summer galley and a full-beam aft swim platform ahead of the engine array.
Reported top speeds are 72 mph. However, when cruising around 40, the Cigarette Tirranna 59 has a 750-plus-mile range. She’s no slouch in speed or distance. The long, aggressive-looking hull does well in all conditions but, just in case it gets rocky out there, a Seakeeper 9 gyrostabilizer comes standard.
The Canyon 326 with Grady-White’s SeaV2 hull fills a niche in the builder’s lineup.
The new Grady White Canyon 326 will suit someone who wants more room but isn’t quite ready to jump to the Canyon 336.
The 326 converts easily from serious fishing in the morning to family cruising in the afternoon and goes right into the evening for a cocktail cruise with friends. A built-in livewell, side door and three fishboxes (two forward and one aft) are ready for action.
On the flip side, you can accommodate a crowd between the patented foldaway aft bench seat, the forward console seat and the bow lounge. A standard feature is the thru-stem anchor roller that keeps the deck dry and clean. Options include a grill, refrigerator, electric retractable overhead shade, outrigger kits, bow shade, casting platform, and a bow thruster.
The Vanquish 26 Center Console delivers an exceptionally smooth ride in a user-friendly, fuel-efficient boat.
The Vanquish 26 is handcrafted from advanced engineering, high-quality materials, and innovative hull design. She’s powered by a 250-hp Mercury Verado outboard. As a result, she can reach speeds of up to 52 mph. Her voluminous interior offers seating for eight, a large forward cabin that sleeps two, an enclosed head, and plenty of storage.
The U-shaped forward seating, sheltered by a dodger to protect guests from the sun, is the perfect spot to sit back and relax. Additionally, a forward-facing double bench creates an inviting social area. Also, the teak helm features an acrylic windshield with a comfortable bench seat and a pair of multifunction displays, and the new lightweight hardtop can store any extra onboard electronics.
Spend the weekend cruising with the family or opt for the fishing package—her versatility
knows no bounds.
Following the success of the 655 Coupe, the company created a new compact Astondoa 377 Coupe model as an entry-level option with the same appeal.
A 38-footer with an inverted bow, the 377 has sharp, sporty lines and a powerful 300-hp Volvo Penta D4 engine. (Two other engine packages can be specified.) Expect cruising speeds around 30 knots with another 5-6 knots above that at wide-open throttle.
The walkaround layout offers large bow and aft sunpads, an abbreviated T-top with a high windshield and three helm seats with fold-up bolsters. Aft is a dinette for six with a foldout table. Below, the master stateroom and the adjacent two-bunk cabin can sleep four comfortably. The interior also includes a small galley with a sink and refrigerator, a fully enclosed head and a TV if the kids get bored. That said, you’re more likely to find James Bond on this boat than a family of four.
The company’s newest model, the Powerplay 30 Rum Runner will appeal to the novice boater as well as the experienced captain.
For the fisherman, above and below deck livewells, lockable rod storage, macerated fish box, a coffin box in the bow, T-top tower with second station controls and a sea chest baitwell system comprise some of the options of the tournament edition. Removable bow and stern seating for the fishing trip can be dropped back in and secured in less than five
minutes to take family and friends out for a day on the water.
For the true cruiser, the “Sandbar” edition has captain’s chairs that recline and adjust bow to stern, drink holders in the folding armrest, a state-of-the-art stereo system, a sink, vanity and shower inside the console (a freshwater head is standard), a removable swim ladder on the stern, one of the largest swim platforms in its class, an electric or manual sunshade for the stern, a custom-designed table in the bow with U-shaped seating including folding forward-facing backrest, and a portable full-cover sunshade.
Both editions come with six feet of headroom inside the console.
Second largest in a line of seven center console models, the Robalo R272 is a lively package that reaches 40 knots with standard twin Yamaha 200-hp outboards.
The Georgia-built speedster has a Kevlar-reinforced and a variable deep-V hull. This creates what Robalo calls their “feather-soft ride,” which is stable and dry. The Robalo R272 is no exception.
Uncluttered on deck, the R272 has a flip-up transom bench seat for three and tubes tucked under the gunwale that hold six rods. A composite hardtop has four rod holders, lights and optional outriggers. Other cool add-ons include Garmin or Simrad electronics and a bait prep station that doubles as a wet bar.
A dive door is to port on the Robalo R272. Forward seats can be used as a casting platform with the cushions removed. Troll five lines simultaneously without tangling. A 30-gallon livewell will keep the bait fresh, and the high freeboard will keep anglers and kids safer at anchor or underway.
Pump up the volume with the best stereos and speakers for your boat
Music is a universal language, and it’s usually the foundation for entertaining on board along with food, cocktails, and a scenic view. Here are the best stereos and speakers for boats.
Good speakers matched with a high-quality amplifier can really make a difference in sound. Like anything in electronics, the technology continues to improve and these components provide crisp, clear audio in the marine environment.
From the BOSS
Beef up your sounds on board with the weatherproof BOSS Audio MCK400WB.6 Marine Receiver & Speaker package. Recently added to the BOSS marine line, this affordable, all-in-one bundle includes a single-DIN, 50-watt x 4 max power, MECH-LESS multimedia player, marine-rated head unit with built-in pre-set EQ, USB, and auxiliary inputs, front and rear pre-amp outputs, wireless remote, USB charging, and hands-free Bluetooth operation. The package also contains a pair of 6.5-inch marine speakers that combine 90/180 watts (RMS/max) power utilizing a poly carbon cone and rubber surrounds. The unit is compatible with smartphones, MP3 players, and several audio-streaming apps, and has an AM/FM radio with a dipole hideaway marine antenna.
MSRP $79.99.
BOSS also introduced new tower speakers built from state-of-the-art waterproofing materials and special UV coatings for plastic surfaces, coated circuit boards, and connections to protect against harsh outdoor elements and resist corrosion from water. A pair of 4-inch, full-range, two-way speakers blast 400 watts and have RGB LED illumination with 20 color options.
JBL Stadium speakers are purpose-built for use on a boat. They have the power necessary when throttled-up and blasting through the chop to provide volume without distortion, yet have a level of clarity and subtlety when anchored in a quiet bay.
The Stadium speakers are available in a 6.5-inch coaxial (100-watt RMS output with 300-watt peak power), 8-inch three-way (200-watt RMS output with 500-watt peak power), and a 10-inch passive subwoofer (300-watt RMS output with 900-watt peak power). The 8-inch speaker has a removable 3.5-inch mid-tweeter that can be relocated higher to bring the mid- and high-level sounds closer to ear level for improved accuracy.
An insert is included to replace the tweeter if moved. The subwoofer is mounted low in the boat. All three speakers are available with white or black grilles and have built-in RGB perimeter and center lighting.
MSRP, from 6.5-inch to 10-inch, is $299.95/pair, $399.95/pair, and $349.95/each prospecelectronics.com
JBL also offers its new Apex Powersports Amplifiers that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (and hide in the boat) yet pack a high-performance punch. Designed to withstand extreme outdoor conditions, the Class D Apex Series amplifiers feature small heat sinks for fast and simple wiring in tight installations. Moreover, three models are available, two which incorporate high-pass, low-pass, and all-pass crossover capabilities.
JL Audio expands its marine line with the M3 series of high-performance marine loudspeakers, subwoofers, and tower speakers with optional RGB illumination. Suited for all types of boats from runabouts and pontoons to center consoles and towboats, the more affordable line maintains JL Audio’s audio quality and durability.
M3 speakers are purpose-engineered to deliver a powerful, smooth sound in open-air boating environments and feature long-excursion, high-efficiency woofers and treated silk dome tweeters. Subwoofers are built to operate without a dedicated enclosure to deliver a deep, rich bass. Two grille designs are available to match most boat styles: Classic and Sport.
The Sport’s split-spoke grille is available in two color schemes, gloss white or gunmetal, and has the option for built-in LED RGB illumination for a variety of lighting color options. JL Audio tests its marine products to ensure they can withstand intense UV and salt exposure.
MSRP for the 6.5-inch Sport with RGB LED lighting is $279.99 jlaudio.com
App Ready
The latest from ASA Electronics is the Marine Audio MA110 App Ready Bluetooth Stereo. Boaters to take control of their music entertainment by using apps on their smartphones, tablets via Bluetooth. It supports up to four speakers with 160 watts of power to pump up the volume on the water. The 2.8-inch full-color display is viewable in direct sunlight and surrounded by control buttons with white LED backlighting.
The display has a day and night illumination control as well as dimmable backlighting for the buttons that make the display and controls easily visible at all times. The MA110 is also an AM/FM radio with 36 programmable presets. Additionally, the water-resistant stereo has an IPX6 protection rating. There’s also a built-in USB port that charges devices, so the party can go on all day long.
Entertain the young ones with My Audio Pet speakers. They’re cute and put out a big sound, but more importantly, they’re IPX7 waterproof rated. The Bluetooth speaker incorporates true wireless stereo technology, and the rechargeable battery provides up to eight hours of play time. With names like Megalosong, Narmony the Narwhal, Rocktopod the Octopus, and AuROARa BEARealis, you can’t go wrong. Splash pet speakers are perfect for summer fun around the water.
Remember when you were a kid and summer reading was the biggest drag in the world? The opposite is true now; we’re reading whatever books we can get our hands on before Labor Day Weekend.
We’re not sure what it is about late summer that makes us want to curl up with a book, but it seems to happen around this time each year. Here’s what we’re reading:
Seven At Sea
Seven At Sea by Erik Orton and Emily Orton is a New York City family’s remarkable story of how they gave up their urban life, packed up their family of seven, and braved the difficult conditions of the Atlantic Ocean as they sailed more than 2,500 from New York to and around the Caribbean.
Three Sheets to the Wind by Cynthia Barrett is a humorous compilation that reveals the roots of more than 180 nautically inspired, common English expressions. For instance, “three sheets to the wind” stems from the similarity between a drunken sailor staggering about and a sailing ship moving erratically because its sheets are flying loose in the wind.
Alphabetically organized from A to Sea, the book also has 100 original illustrations as well as relevant excerpts from the great novels of Melville, Forester, O’Brian, and others for
readers to enjoy.
The Book of Sailing Knots by Peter Owen is once again back on the shelves. In a world of satellites, autopilots, augmented reality, and new technology, ropes, and lines are still a mainstay in yachting. Owen shows step-by-step instructions with full illustrations on how to correctly tie and use more than 50 knots and situations in which they’re most useful.
Pigs of Paradise by T.R. Todd is the unlikely story of The Bahamas’ swimming pigs. Todd interviews historians, world-renowned ecologists, famous pig owners, and boat captains, and brings to light the story of the swimming pigs of Exuma. It thoughtfully
considers what this phenomenon says about these animals as well as about us.
Dining in The Bahamas can be anything from casual to high-end and everything in between.
Dining in The Bahamas vary dramatically from eclectic beach huts, spring break-style bars, and restaurants to casual marina pubs and fine-dining establishments. Naturally, seafood is something that intersects all manner of culinary delights as Bahamians and local restaurateurs value the proximity to the sea.
Oddly enough, Bahamians are quite choosy when it comes to “fruits” they pick from the waters. Unlike in other territories where locals seem to eat everything that the human body can stomach, culturally speaking, Bahamians don’t stray far from what they are most familiar with.
The invasive lionfish, now abundant in the waters of The Bahamas, has a negative impact on the marine ecosystem. As a part of its population control strategy, the government invested significant funds in public education to popularize the fine-tasting fish, but Bahamians are not taking the bait. More locals are familiar with lionfish and many enjoy its flavor, but it has not become a staple in the Bahamian diet and very few restaurants offer it.
Stingrays, eels, sea crabs, and octopuses are ubiquitous in the waters of The Bahamas, but you will rarely if ever, see them on the dinner table in most Bahamian homes. You might find a stingray taco on the menu in Mexico, and some Greek and Italian restaurants in The Bahamas serve octopus, but not at Sunday dinner in a Bahamian home. The same goes for eels, parrotfish, sea urchins, starfish, and many other edible marine species.
What can visitors expect to eat in The Bahamas?
There are supply and demand factors that affect the availability and accessibility of some species that Bahamians love; however, the main types of seafood you will find most common at restaurants and in Bahamian homes are conch, lobster, snapper (of which there are dozens of varieties), grouper, and certain pelagic fish like mahi mahi, wahoo, and tuna. Bahamians have a unique and delicious way of preparing seafood, and it usually involves a simple combination of seasonings—mashed salt and bird pepper, a lot of lime, and grilled or fried.
The edible species common in Bahamian homes but rarely served at restaurants include jacks, goggle-eyes, whelks, curbs, and barracuda, notwithstanding the risk of ciguatera fish poisoning.
New restaurants are ready to serve
The Tea Room, Rock Sound, Eleuthera
Rock Sound’s latest restaurant, The Tea Room, opened July 19th . The casual, boutique dining establishment with a bright and earthy aesthetic serves breakfast and lunch during the week. Wall-to-wall French doors and large windows let natural light flood into the restaurant to create a cheerful atmosphere.
Wherever you choose to whet your appetite, we assure that the view will be incredible.
Vegetables are locally sourced from Eleuthera farmers including the restaurant’s very own farm. The irrigation system, in fact, is partially powered with solar electricity derived from the panels sitting atop the Tea Room’s roof.
There is another element that makes the Tea Room unique. It is a training restaurant and social entrepreneurship enterprise at the Centre for Training and Innovation which empowers young people in the community with opportunities to learn new skills, obtain job experience and break the cycle of poverty. Carpentry students made the dining tables, while hospitality students assist in the service and food preparation.
The Tea Room’s menu changes fortnightly, serving Bahamian and American dishes, including vegetarian options like the chickpea veggie burger and avocado salad with mango vinaigrette.
Dining in The Bahamas just got cooler. The historic Nassau Harbour finally has a new waterfront restaurant. Latitudes’ ceiling-to-floor glass windows provide panoramic views of the harbor including the main boating channel, Paradise Island’s most famed hotels, and marinas stretching to the east and west. It directly overlooks the Nassau Harbor Club Marina and features stunning sunsets that sometimes appear through the two arched bridges connecting Nassau and Paradise Island.
It’s impossible to pin down the food to one type of style as the multiregional menu features Bahamian, Italian, and Asian cuisine that includes seafood, steak, freshly made pizzas, sushi, and teppanyaki. The interior design at Latitudes is ultra-modern with bold color blocking, stylized ceilings, and metalwork finishes. The restaurant is one of six under the umbrella of the Titan Hospitality Group, which also includes Wreckers in Spanish Wells and Smugglers in Nassau.
The Latitudes Bar is a trendy social spot that quickly became a feature of Nassau nightlife after it opened. It’s still to be seen if Latitudes has longevity on the social scene, but the circular bar features local draft beer and a full lineup of top-shelf alcohol. The large parking lot for Latitudes is on the other side of a highly trafficked main road, so parking and accessing the restaurants is not the most convenient; however, valet service at the restaurant’s entrance is free.
From luxury resorts to roadside stands, don’t hesitate to stop and taste the Bahamian local fare. Nassau’s oldest, family-owned Bahamian restaurant and bar is the Bahamian Cookin’ Restaurant, formally known as Bahamian Kitchen. For those wanting true,
authentic Bahamian island-style food, head to Trinity Place in Downtown Nassau (across from Central Bank) to experience three generations of Bahamian cooking, including conch fritters, grouper, and lobster.
Don’t let its appearance fool you. Stuart’s Conch Stand in Bailey Town, Bimini, is a rustic shack with piles of conch shells behind it, but the food is outstanding. Everything is prepared fresh while you wait. Visitors highly recommend the conch salad, paired with an ice-cold local beer. With generous portions, modest prices, and friendly staff, Stuart’s doesn’t disappoint. Open for lunch and dinner.
(242) 347-2474
Eleuthera and Harbour Island
Arrive by boat to Frigate’s Bar & Grill in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. It has an easily accessible dingy dock (and the owners don’t mind if you dock there while shopping for provisions). Beat the heat in Frigate’s air-conditioned dining room and share a sampler platter of conch fritters, fish bites, chicken tenders, or wings with three or four friends. They’ll even cook up your catch of the day. Make a reservation or place an order online.
Sip Sip’s menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and in season. In Bahamian slang, sip sip means gossip or idle chat, which lends to why Sip Sip is a popular local hangout in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island. The waterfront view is quite the scene, but its casual atmosphere along with Chef Julie Lightbourn’s classic Bahamian dishes make this a beautiful and tasty spot to have lunch. Try the Spicy Conch Chili or its famed Lobster Quesadilla. Sip Sip is open from Thanksgiving to August but has a sister restaurant at the Atlantis Paradise Island.
In October 1972, Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. One of the goals of this act was to set up National Marine Sanctuaries (NMSs). These would be the oceanic equivalents of the National Parks, vast undersea areas protected by the government.
Under the direction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are more than 600,000 square miles within the National Marine Sanctuary System. One sanctuary is in the Great Lakes, five are along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, five along the Pacific coast, one that includes the Hawaiian Islands, and one for American Samoa. In addition, there are two Marine National Monuments: Papahãnaumokuãkea off of Hawaii and Rose Atoll east of American Samoa, both under the auspices of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. There are also two NMS designates, one in Lake Michigan and the other in Mallows Bay, Maryland.
Coral reefs are often a component of a National Marine Sanctuary.
How are National Marine Sanctuaries created?
Local communities can nominate locations for an NMS designation. Criteria NOAA looks
for include natural resources or habitat with special ecological significance, maritime heritage resources with special historical, cultural, or archaeological significance, or important economic uses like tourism, fishing, diving, and other recreational activities. Additionally, NOAA will ask if the conservation and management of the resources are necessary. Specifically, are there threats or impacts that could affect the resources? Will research and public education be beneficial?
If NOAA accepts the nomination, the location will be put on a list of possible future NMSs. A lengthy evaluation process (typically years) with much public input will follow until a determination is made. The final outcome is a compromise between protection and use.
Marine National Monuments are physically similar to Sanctuaries, but the designation process is different. These are selected by presidential proclamation and are acted upon much quicker, which is especially important if protection is critical. The purpose of NMSs is to protect valuable resources, whether aquatic life or significant man-made features—humpback whale breeding grounds, coral reef ecosystems, and shipwreck sites have all been included.
What can I do at a National Marine Sanctuary?
It depends on the NMS. Some specific activities are prohibited, while others are regulated and controlled. Educating the public about the importance of an area and what activities are allowed or banned is a preferred strategy. The NMSs are for scientific research and education. The end goal is sound “stewardship of our oceans.
The public is welcome to use and enjoy the various NMSs through activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, recreational fishing, boating, and marine life viewing. Many have visitor centers (called Discovery Centers) or Partner Exhibits (nearby educational attractions not specifically tied to the NMS). NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries hosts a “Get Into Your Sanctuary” event each year to familiarize the public with NMSs. Find specific event information online. The NMS Foundation also produces a yearly magazine, Earth Is Blue, that highlights activities at the various NMSs.
Where are some National Marine Sanctuaries?
The following National Marine Sanctuaries are along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, each with their own story.
Gray’s Reef NMS
Gray’s Reef NMS is off the coast of Georgia (19 miles east of Sapelo Island). This large sandstone reef, approximately 70 feet below the surface, is named for the scientist who first described the reef’s flora and fauna. The reef provides easy access to divers and fishermen. Characterized as a “live bottom” reef, Gray’s Reef is home to more than 200 fish species, loggerhead turtles, and even the endangered North Atlantic right whale. For those less adventuresome, “virtual” visits to the reef are available at a number of exhibit partners.
Black Sea Bass at Grey’s Reef NMS.
Florida Keys NMS
Florida Keys NMS protects the third-largest living coral barrier reef system in the world. More than 6,000 species of marine life call the reef, nearby seagrass meadows, and numerous mangrove forests home. There are also an estimated 1,000 shipwrecks within the NMS. An Eco-Discovery Center is located on Key West and houses a Living Reef Exhibit.
Flower Garden Banks NMS
Off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, Flower Garden Banks NMS is the only NMS in the Gulf of Mexico. It derived its name from the colorful reefs found here, the only tropical reefs within hundreds of miles. The Flower Garden Banks is home to a wide variety of aquatic life, such as eagle and manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and even an occasional whale shark.
Monitor NMS
Designated in 1975, the nation’s first National Marine Sanctuary is the Monitor NMS. Here—just 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina— is where the Monitor, an ironclad warship from the Civil War era, was discovered. There are multiple shipwrecks close by in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” including ones from World Wars I and II. The Mariners Museum is in nearby Newport News, Virginia.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River
Mallows Bay-Potomac River on the tidal Potomac River in Maryland is still in the designation process to become an NMS. Like the Monitor NMS, Mallows Bay is the repository of many shipwrecks, such as the “Ghost Fleet,” with more than 100 World War I-era wooden vessels. It is also an ecological trove of fish and wildlife including rare and endangered species.
Stellwagen Bank
The northernmost NMS is Stellwagen Bank NMS at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay. Named for U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Henry Stellwagen, who first surveyed the area in 1854, the Stellwagen Bank is a sand and gravel plateau with nutrient-rich waters that provide for an abundance of marine life, most notably whales. In fact, Stellwagen Bank is one of the best whale-watching sights in the world. Additionally, there are many shipwrecks here, as it was once a major shipping route.
