Yes, Georgia Aquarium Has Whale Sharks

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds four whale sharks, making it one of only a handful of facilities in the world where you can see these animals in person. The aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit is built specifically to house them. The whale sharks there are Trixie, Pretzel, Alice, and Tardar, and they share a 6.3-million-gallon tank with manta rays, sea turtles, and other large fish.

Whale sharks are the largest fish species on Earth. They can grow to 40 feet or longer and weigh as much as 20 tons. Despite their size, they eat only plankton and small fish, filtering water through their gills the way baleen whales do. Seeing one in person gives you a sense of scale that photographs cannot match.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium houses four whale sharks in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, one of the largest saltwater tanks in the world.
  • Whale sharks are filter feeders that eat only plankton and small fish, so they pose no threat to other animals or visitors.
  • The aquarium's whale sharks were born in the wild and brought to the facility under international agreements that govern the trade in endangered species.
  • You can view the whale sharks from multiple levels, including an underwater acrylic tunnel where you can watch them swim directly overhead.

The Ocean Voyager Exhibit and Tank Size

Ocean Voyager is the centerpiece of the Georgia Aquarium and one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world. The tank holds 6.3 million gallons of saltwater and measures 284 feet long, 126 feet wide, and 33 feet deep. The acrylic panels that form the viewing walls are 2 feet thick and weigh hundreds of tons each.

The exhibit is designed to mimic the open ocean, with dim lighting and a vast blue backdrop. Whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, groupers, and hundreds of smaller fish species share the space. The tank's size matters because whale sharks are migratory animals in the wild and cover enormous distances; the aquarium's design attempts to provide enough space for natural behavior, though no tank can fully replicate the ocean.

What the Four Whale Sharks Are Named

The four whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium are Trixie, Pretzel, Alice, and Tardar. Trixie and Pretzel are male; Alice and Tardar are female. Trixie arrived first, in 2006, followed by Pretzel in 2007. Alice and Tardar joined later. Each shark has distinct markings and behavior patterns that regular visitors learn to recognize.

The aquarium staff tracks each shark's health, feeding patterns, and interactions with other animals. Whale sharks are long-lived animals, and the Georgia Aquarium's sharks have been in human care for many years, giving researchers data on their behavior and physiology that would be difficult to gather in the wild.

How to View the Whale Sharks

The Ocean Voyager exhibit has multiple viewing levels. You can watch the whale sharks from the main floor through large acrylic windows, from an upper level that provides a different angle, and from an underwater tunnel where the sharks swim directly above you. The tunnel is one of the most striking vantage points because it puts you at eye level with the animals as they glide past.

The exhibit is open during regular aquarium hours. Crowds are heaviest on weekends and during school holidays, so visiting on a weekday morning typically offers a quieter experience. The aquarium's website lists current hours and any temporary closures before you plan your visit.

Where the Whale Sharks Came From

All four of Georgia Aquarium's whale sharks were born in the wild and captured as juveniles. Their arrival in the United States was governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement that regulates the movement of endangered animals between countries. Whale sharks are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning their wild populations are declining.

The decision to house whale sharks in captivity remains controversial among marine biologists and conservation groups. Some argue that captive populations raise awareness and fund research; others contend that the stress of captivity and the removal of animals from wild populations cause more harm than benefit. The Georgia Aquarium presents its whale shark program as part of its broader mission to study and protect the species.

Whale Shark Facts You'll Notice During Your Visit

Whale sharks have a distinctive appearance: a flattened head, a wide mouth that can open to 4 feet across, and a body covered in a checkerboard pattern of white spots and stripes. They have no teeth in their upper jaw; instead, they have thousands of tiny teeth in their lower jaw that play little role in feeding. Their gill slits are enormous, running nearly the full height of their head.

When you watch them feed, you will see them rise to the surface and gulp water, then expel it through their gills while retaining plankton and small fish. This behavior, called ram feeding, is what they do in the wild and what they continue to do in the aquarium. The feeding process is slow and deliberate, and you can watch it happen if you time your visit right.

Visiting Information and Nearby Exhibits

The Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta at 225 Baker Street, adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and within walking distance of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Parking is available in nearby lots and garages. The aquarium is open year-round except for a few holidays.

Beyond the whale sharks, the aquarium has exhibits focused on beluga whales, sea otters, jellyfish, tropical fish, and cold-water species. Many visitors spend three to four hours exploring the full facility. The Ocean Voyager exhibit alone can occupy 30 minutes to an hour if you watch the whale sharks from multiple levels and return to the tunnel viewing area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the whale sharks dangerous?

No. Whale sharks eat only plankton and small fish, filtering them from the water. They have no interest in large animals or humans. In the wild, divers and snorkelers regularly swim alongside whale sharks without incident. The aquarium's whale sharks are accustomed to human presence and show no aggressive behavior.

Can you touch the whale sharks?

No. The viewing areas are separated from the tank by acrylic barriers. Touching the animals is not permitted, both to protect the sharks from stress and to maintain the safety of visitors. The underwater tunnel allows you to view them at close range without physical contact.

How often do the whale sharks eat?

The aquarium feeds its whale sharks regularly, though the exact schedule is not published. In the wild, whale sharks eat whenever they encounter plankton blooms, which can be unpredictable. The aquarium's feeding program is designed to meet their nutritional needs while mimicking natural feeding patterns as closely as possible in a tank environment.

What time of day is best to see the whale sharks?

The whale sharks are visible during all aquarium hours. Early mornings on weekdays tend to be less crowded, which gives you more space to view them. The underwater tunnel is often quieter than the main viewing floor, so if you prefer a less crowded experience, head there first.

How long have the whale sharks been at Georgia Aquarium?

Trixie, the first whale shark, arrived in 2006 and has been at the aquarium for nearly two decades. The other three arrived in subsequent years. All four remain at the facility and are part of the aquarium's ongoing research and conservation programs.