The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is the northernmost reef in North America and is the inspiration for the Secret Reef exhibit. Perfectly depicted in a dimly-lit gallery with mystical, underwater music, this exhibit features the Aquarium’s most jaw-dropping animals: toothy, 10-foot sand tiger sharks; sleek sandbar sharks; and a large green sea turtle can be seen gliding through the crystal clear waters.

In addition, guests can watch in amazement as thousands of colorful reef fish swim about while the larger Crevalle Jacks swim above.

The adventure continues as visitors make their way further into the depths of the Secret Reef as they tour the Ocean Journey building. A wonder in itself, the Undersea Cavern provides breathtaking, panoramic views.

Secret Reef in numbers

32 — depth, in feet

33 — acrylic windows offer views into the exhibit

618,000 — gallons in this exhibit, the Aquarium’s largest tank