...
Southern Boating & Yachting
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Southern Boating & Yachting
No Result
View All Result
Home Destinations U.S. Gulf
Texas’ Flower Garden Banks

Purple soft coral in the Flower Garden. Photo: Marinelife. NOAA.Gov

Texas’ Flower Garden Banks

April 1, 2015
in U.S. Gulf
0
595
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare via Email
Subscribe to the print magazine | $29.95 for 12 issues

The Gulf of Mexico is a true tropical sea and one of the deepest bodies of water in the world. From the height of a cruise ship, one might not notice that the electric blue expanse is teaming with life from aquatic animals such as giant Kemp-Ridley turtles and recently discovered 55-foot-long Baleen whales. Stirred by the Great Loop Current that flies between Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula at over four knots, this current eventually becomes the Gulf Stream that affects the weather and ecology as far away as England. However, this warm current also throws off giant eddies into the Gulf and feeds one of the most unique ecosystems in North America—the Flower Garden Banks.

Located a little over 100 miles offshore of Galveston, Texas, the Flower Garden is the most unique and extensive coral reef system in all of North America and considered to be the most pristine in the entire Western Hemisphere due to its relative remote location. Designated a Marine Sanctuary in 1992 by the U.S., this flourishing ecosystem is made possible by giant underground salt domes that push up the deep, featureless seabed to within 60 feet of the surface and allow an undersea oasis of tropical life. The nearest coral reef is 400 miles south along the coast of Mexico and as such, it has become a secret scuba-diving magnet and cruising layover in the Gulf of Mexico by boat owners in the know.

[photomosaic ids=”5171,5172,5174″ orderby=”rand”]

First discovered by fishermen in the late 1800s who suddenly noticed bright, vibrant colors beneath the waves, this marine sanctuary is now known to harbor more than 20 species of tropical corals and over 180 species of fish. Comprised of three separate salt domes that rise up and plateau, the largest expands out over 250 acres. As a designated marine sanctuary, fishing and anchoring are not allowed by law, however, there are three mooring fields that are available to transient cruisers in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico where the depths below them explode in color.

As a well-known overnight scuba-diving site, charters and private boats tend to visit on two- or three-day excursions primarily in the summer when the water is over 80 degrees. As such, mooring availability may get a bit tight. For cruisers who do not dive, it’s still a unique destination in the great expanse of the Gulf of Mexico to tie up and enjoy the blue waters where colors rise from the depths and the stars follow after sunset. February is also a heavily visited month due to the hordes of thousands of hammerhead sharks that transit the banks annually.

 

By Harlen Leslie, Southern Boating April 2015

Tags: CoralFlower Garden BanksGalvestonGulf of MexicoHarlen LeslieKemp-Ridley turtlesMarine SanctuaryNOAApurple soft coralsnorkelingSouthern BoatingTexasTexas Gulf Coast
Previous Post

Coral Reef Sculpture Garden in New Providence

Next Post

Celebrate the arrival of spring with ingredients that capture the flavor of the season.

Next Post
Celebrate the arrival of spring with ingredients that capture the flavor of the season.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with ingredients that capture the flavor of the season.

Recommended

Regulator 28

Regulator 28

September 7, 2018
3.4k

Harborfest celebrates its 40th year along the Elizabeth

June 2, 2016
3.3k

Don't miss it

Boats in the bay at Wisconsin's Peninsula State Park
Destinations

Explore the 3 Best U.S. Boating Destinations in 2025

August 27, 2025
3.7k
aerial shot of boat in the water at night lit up in rainbow colors with LED lights
Electronics

How LED Boat Lights Can Boost Your Safety and Style

August 26, 2025
3.4k
Grand Banks 62 yacht with traditional lines and dark hull running in the water
Boats

Inside the Luxurious Grand Banks 62: Speed, Style, and Seakeeping

August 25, 2025
5.4k
The Moorings Trip
Caribbean

Sail from St. Lucia to Grenada: A Luxury Charter You’ll Never Forget

August 21, 2025
3.7k
Man cleaning hull of boat with a buffer
DIY

Experts Share 5 Fall Maintenance Tips Every Boat Owner Should Know

August 20, 2025
3.4k
view of boat's aft on a boat lift that is in the water
DIY

A Summer Survival Guide for DIY Boat Lift Care

August 19, 2025
3.4k
Facebook Instagram TikTok Youtube LinkedIn

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
logo

1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Office: +1 (954) 522-5515
Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260
Contact us: info@southernboating.com


Newsletter

* indicates required

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription