East Flower Garden Bank
Also known as: East Bank
Best time to dive
June to October; February to April
What you might see
- Hammerhead sharkLikely
- Manta rayLikely
- Whale sharkLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - yes (surface/reef-top snorkeling possible, boat-only access)
Safety notes
open-ocean swell/currents, boat traffic (commercial vessels, nearby oil/gas platform supply boats), decompression risk on deep drop-offs; NOAA sanctuary no-touch rules - all corals, fish, rays, sharks fully protected
Permits & fees
no permit or fee required for recreational SCUBA diving/snorkeling (NOAA FAQ); federal regulations (15 CFR 922 Subpart L) ban touching/collecting coral, invertebrates, marine mammals, sea turtles, rays, whale sharks; no anchoring, first-come mooring buoys only
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Galveston
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.