Yes, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta has whale sharks

The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta is home to whale sharks. The aquarium holds four whale sharks in its Beluga and Whale Shark Exhibit, which is one of the largest indoor pools in the world. The exhibit opened in 2005 and remains one of the few places in North America where you can see these animals in person.

Whale sharks are the largest fish species on Earth. They can grow to 40 feet long or more and weigh as much as 20 tons. Despite their size, they eat only plankton and small fish, filtering food through their gills as they swim. The Georgia Aquarium's whale sharks are fed a specialized diet designed to match their natural feeding habits.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium houses four whale sharks in a 6.3-million-gallon tank called the Beluga and Whale Shark Exhibit.
  • Whale sharks at the aquarium are fed a mixture of fish and plankton-based foods several times per week to maintain their health.
  • The exhibit also contains beluga whales, so you will see both species in the same large tank.
  • Viewing the whale sharks requires a general admission ticket to the Georgia Aquarium, which costs more during peak summer months.

What the Beluga and Whale Shark Exhibit looks like

The tank holding the whale sharks and beluga whales is 203 feet long, 78 feet wide, and 60 feet deep. It holds 6.3 million gallons of salt water. The exhibit has large acrylic panels so visitors can watch the animals swim at eye level and from above. The water temperature is kept at around 72 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

The whale sharks share the space with four beluga whales. Belugas are much smaller — they grow to about 15 feet long — so the tank accommodates both species without crowding. The exhibit is designed to let both animals move freely and engage in natural behaviors. Visitors can spend as much time as they want watching through the viewing areas.

How often the whale sharks are fed

The Georgia Aquarium's whale sharks are fed several times per week. The diet consists of a mix of fish, squid, and a specialized plankton-based food. Aquarium staff monitor each shark's weight and health to adjust feeding amounts as needed. The feeding process is done by trained marine biologists who understand the nutritional needs of these massive animals.

Unlike in the wild, where whale sharks filter-feed by swimming through plankton clouds, the captive sharks at the Georgia Aquarium are hand-fed. This allows staff to may support each animal receives proper nutrition and to monitor their individual health. The feeding schedule is not posted publicly, so you cannot plan your visit around mealtimes.

Admission cost and visiting hours

General admission to the Georgia Aquarium costs between $30 and $45 per person, depending on the season. Summer months (June through August) are peak season and cost more than winter visits. Children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 65 and older receive discounted rates. Children under 3 are free.

The aquarium is open most days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by season and day of the week. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Beluga and Whale Shark Exhibit is accessible during all regular operating hours. Parking is available on-site, though it fills quickly during summer weekends.

Other large animals at the Georgia Aquarium

Beyond the whale sharks and belugas, the Georgia Aquarium houses manta rays, sea otters, sea lions, and thousands of fish species. The manta rays are in a separate exhibit called the Tropical Diver, which is also a large tank. The aquarium spans 10 acres and contains more than 11 million gallons of water across all exhibits.

If whale sharks are your main reason for visiting, plan to spend at least 30 minutes at the Beluga and Whale Shark Exhibit. Many visitors spend longer. The rest of the aquarium can take 3 to 5 hours to see fully, depending on how much time you spend at each exhibit.

How the Georgia Aquarium got its whale sharks

The four whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium were collected from the wild in the 1990s and early 2000s. Three of them came from the Red Sea, and one came from the Gulf of Mexico. They were transported to Atlanta and have lived at the aquarium since it opened in 2005. All four are still alive and have been part of the exhibit for nearly two decades.

The aquarium does not breed its whale sharks in captivity. Whale shark breeding in tanks has never been successful anywhere in the world. The four animals at the Georgia Aquarium are the same individuals that have been there since the exhibit opened, making them among the longest-lived whale sharks in human care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you touch the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium?

No. The whale sharks are behind thick acrylic panels and in a tank too large for visitors to reach. The aquarium does not offer touch experiences with whale sharks. You can view them closely through the glass, but physical contact is not possible.

How long do whale sharks live?

In the wild, whale sharks are thought to live 70 years or more, though exact lifespans are unknown because they are difficult to track. The whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium have lived 15 to 20 years in captivity so far. Scientists continue to study how long they can live in tank environments.

Are whale sharks endangered?

Whale sharks are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their population is declining due to fishing, ship strikes, and habitat loss. The Georgia Aquarium participates in research and conservation programs aimed at protecting wild whale shark populations.

What do whale sharks eat in the wild?

Whale sharks eat plankton, fish eggs, and small fish. They feed by swimming through areas where plankton is dense and filtering water through their gills. A single whale shark can filter hundreds of gallons of water per hour. They do not hunt or chase prey.

Is the Georgia Aquarium worth visiting just to see the whale sharks?

That depends on your interests and budget. The whale sharks are impressive and worth seeing if you have never encountered one. However, general admission is $30 to $45 per person, and the whale shark exhibit is one part of a much larger aquarium. Plan your visit based on whether you want to see other exhibits as well.