Data Buoys in the Sanctuary

Two Sofar Spotter buoys have been installed: one at East Flower Garden Bank in June 2023 and one at West Flower Garden Bank in September 2025. Both buoys collect wave height and wind speed data, as well as temperatures from the surface and at reef cap depth. The West Flower Garden Bank buoy also collects oxygen data from the midwater column and at reef cap depth. This provides important information for both staff and visitors to assess current offshoreconditions. https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/visiting/offshoreconditions.html