The Flower Garden – Exploring the National Reef of Texas

When asked for their favorite local dive site in the state, many Texas SCUBA divers jokingly say, “Cozumel.” In fact, the Lone Star State has an extensive coral reef system that was designated the 10th National Marine Sanctuary on 17 January 1992 and is the only marine sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico. The story goes that the Flower Garden got its name from fishermen who could see the colorful corals and sponges from their boats on the surface. Once you submerge, you can see how accurate the name is. The underwater topography reveals ranges of mountainous corals, punctuated by sponges and loads of sea life, including sharks and manta rays.

Boston Sea Rovers
Boston Sea Rovers