Information
Landmark: Georgia AquariumCity: Atlanta
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
In downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium ranks among the world’s largest and most admired, with tanks so vast you can watch a whale shark glide past like a moving wall.People know it for its towering tanks filled with shimmering fish, the rare creatures you won’t spot anywhere else, and its unwavering focus on education, research, and saving the oceans.The Georgia Aquarium, nestled in downtown Atlanta’s Pemberton Place, has been dazzling visitors since November 23, 2005, with more than 11 million gallons of water and the rare sight of whale sharks-the only ones outside Asia-offering education, conservation, inspiration, and pure aquatic wonder across its major exhibits.Ocean Voyager, built by Home Depot, holds over 6.3 million gallons of water and is home to whale sharks, manta rays, green sea turtles, sawfish, and groupers.Visitors can walk through a 100‑foot acrylic tunnel, pause at a huge viewing window, and marvel at the only whale sharks outside Asia-brought from Taiwan through conservation partnerships-while learning just how vast and diverse marine life can be.Cold Water Quest showcases marine life from chilly, temperate oceans, with belugas gliding through icy blue water, sea otters cracking shells, African penguins darting past, and giant Pacific octopuses stretching long arms beside hulking Japanese spider crabs; guests explore rocky, frost-tipped habitats, crawl through the Penguin Pop-Up Tunnel to stand amid curious birds, and learn how these species thrive in extreme cold.Sharks!The word hits like a splash of cold saltwater.Predators of the Deep opened in 2020, holding more than 1.2 million gallons of water and home to tiger sharks, great hammerheads, sand tiger sharks, and silvertips.Visitors can walk through an immersive tunnel, stand before towering floor-to-ceiling windows, or even slip into a shark cage-no diving certification required.The space feels dark and cinematic, shadows sliding across sleek fins, all designed to change how we see sharks and inspire their protection.At Dolphin Coast, you can catch live presentations with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins throughout the day, diving into their behavior, training techniques, and conservation challenges; sign up for an animal encounter to go backstage, hear them whistle up close, and learn how these mammals think and communicate.The River Scout theme showcases freshwater ecosystems from North and South America, Asia, and Africa, with piranhas flashing silver in the light, playful Asian small-clawed otters, electric eels, and massive alligator snapping turtles.An overhead river tank lets fish glide right above your head, while touch tanks and unexpected visual treats wait around every corner.The message is simple: rivers are every bit as vital to global biodiversity as the oceans.Tropical Diver features a vibrant reef scene alive with clownfish darting between swaying sea anemones, garden eels peeking from the sand, and corals in every shade imaginable; rare living coral displays bring a touch of the real ocean, while gentle wave simulators keep the room bright, calm, and true to the fragile beauty of reef ecosystems.Aquanaut Adventure: A Discovery Zone is an interactive science space where kids and families can explore the ocean through touch tanks, quick quizzes, diving simulations, and hands-on marine biology challenges, all designed to spark curiosity about sea life, adaptation, and scientific discovery-perfect for school groups, family outings, or a first taste of STEM learning.Explorer’s Cove, the newest exhibit opened in 2024, invites visitors to dip their hands into touch pools filled with rays and sturgeon, then head to a digital wall where kids sketch sea creatures and watch them swim across a glowing screen-all in a space that’s bright, welcoming, and built for hands-on, high-tech marine discovery.Swim or scuba dive with whale sharks and graceful manta rays in the Journey with Gentle Giants experience-open to both certified divers and snorkelers-and feel the awe of gliding beside the ocean’s largest fish as sunlight dances through the blue.Step into the “Predators of the Deep” exhibit for a safety-first shark cage dive-no certification needed-and watch these powerful swimmers glide just inches away, separated by a thick, clear acrylic wall that leaves you awed and respectful of their place in the ocean.Join the Penguin Encounter guided session, where you’ll get to touch a warm-feathered African penguin and hand-feed it fresh fish, then dive into a lively discussion on climate impacts, conservation work, and the fascinating details of penguin biology.Go behind the scenes for a Sea Otter Encounter-meet these playful animals, watch them dive and splash, and see how caretakers keep them healthy, including hands-on behavioral training demos.At the Georgia Aquarium, you can watch trainers work with seals and sea lions, see their playful behaviors up close, and hear how strong bonds form between human and animal-all with a focus on protecting marine life.Rescue crews care for stranded sea turtles and injured seals in an on‑site vet clinic, while coral experts grow and restore reefs through gene banks and controlled breeding.Whale shark researchers tag and sample giants of the sea to track their migrations and health.Students from kindergarten through college have access to hands‑on STEM programs, teacher resources, and scholarships, with special opportunities for underserved communities.Open every day of the year, the aquarium offers ADA‑compliant facilities, wheelchair rentals, cafés serving sustainable seafood, a gift shop stocked with ocean‑themed finds, and a parking deck with direct access.You can choose single‑day tickets, memberships, or combo passes with other Atlanta attractions-but whatever you pick, you’re stepping into a world‑class marine science center that blends unforgettable exhibits with serious conservation and research.From the slow, graceful sweep of a whale shark’s tail to hands-on exhibits that spark curiosity, the aquarium draws in visitors of all ages and interests.In Atlanta, it’s a cornerstone of culture and science, drawing millions who leave with a deeper urge to safeguard the underwater world-perhaps after watching a ray glide silently past the glass.
