Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is the only federally protected marine environment between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Canaveral, Florida. It contains one of the largest near-shore, live-bottom reefs off the southeastern United States, encompassing approximately 17 square nautical miles. The reef attracts more than 150 species of fish, including Black Sea Bass, snapper, grouper and mackerel.The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation supports the outreach and education efforts of the National Marine Sanctuary System, part of the U.S. Commerce Department’

Algae and invertebrates grow on the exposed rock surfaces; dominant invertebrates include sponges, barnacles, sea fans, hard coral, sea stars, crabs, lobsters, snails, and shrimp. Gray's Reef Sanctuary is also an important part of the only known winter calving ground for the highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.

These conditions create an ideal habitat for the threatened Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Following close behind the schools of fish are the many sport fishing and diving enthusiasts who have made Gray's Reef one of the most popular recreation areas along the Georgia coast.

Gray's Reef was designated in 1981 as the nation's fourth marine sanctuary. Five years later, its value as a unique bioregion was recognized by the United Nations. The sanctuary is a habitat of particular scientific interest and is an area of great favor to sport fisherman and divers.