The Georgia Aquarium spans 10 million gallons and covers 550,000 square feet

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds 10 million gallons of water across its entire facility, making it one of the largest aquariums in the world by volume. The building itself occupies 550,000 square feet — roughly the size of nine football fields. That scale shapes everything about a visit: the number of galleries you can walk through, how long it takes to see the exhibits, and how crowded different areas feel at different times of day.

The 10 million gallons are not all in one tank. The water is divided among multiple galleries and hundreds of individual habitats, each sized for the animals it holds. The largest single tank, the Ocean Voyager exhibit, contains 6.3 million gallons by itself and is home to whale sharks and manta rays. The remaining 3.7 million gallons are distributed across the other galleries: the Tropical Diver, Cold Water Quest, Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest, Beluga whales, and sea otters, among others.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium holds 10 million gallons of water across 550,000 square feet of floor space, making it one of the world's largest aquariums by volume.
  • The Ocean Voyager exhibit alone contains 6.3 million gallons and is the single largest tank in the building.
  • A full visit typically takes three to five hours depending on how long you spend in each gallery and whether you watch the live shows.
  • The facility has multiple levels and galleries spread across the building, so wear comfortable shoes and plan your route before you arrive.

How the 10 million gallons are divided among exhibits

The Ocean Voyager gallery uses the majority of the water — 6.3 million gallons in a single tank that measures 203 feet long, 78 feet wide, and 33 feet deep. This tank is visible from multiple levels and angles throughout the gallery. The whale sharks and manta rays that live there are the main draw for most visitors, and the tank's size is what allows these large animals to move naturally.

The remaining galleries split the other 3.7 million gallons. The Tropical Diver gallery holds coral reef habitats and smaller fish species. Cold Water Quest houses jellyfish, sea dragons, and other cold-water animals. The Beluga whale habitat and sea otter exhibits each have their own dedicated water systems. The exact breakdown varies slightly because the aquarium updates exhibits and animal populations over time, but the proportions stay roughly the same.

How long it takes to walk through the entire aquarium

Most visitors spend three to five hours in the aquarium. If you move quickly and skip the live shows, you can see all the main galleries in about three hours. If you stop to read the information plaques, watch the sea lion or dolphin shows, or spend time in the touch pools, plan for four to five hours.

The building is laid out on multiple levels, and you do not have to walk through galleries in a single direction — you can move between levels and backtrack if you want to revisit an exhibit. This flexibility means your pace depends on your interests. Families with young children often spend longer because children move more slowly and want to linger at interactive exhibits.

The physical layout and what to expect when you arrive

The Georgia Aquarium building is a single large structure with multiple galleries connected by hallways and staircases. The main entrance opens into a central area where you can see the Ocean Voyager tank from above. From there, galleries branch off in different directions. Some are on the ground level, others on upper floors. The building is designed so you can move between galleries without going back outside.

The facility is climate-controlled and indoors, so weather does not affect your visit. Crowds vary by time of day and season — weekday mornings are typically less crowded than weekend afternoons. The building has restrooms, a food court, and a gift shop. Comfortable shoes are important because you will be walking on hard floors for several hours, and the galleries require you to move between levels using stairs or elevators.

Comparing the Georgia Aquarium to other large aquariums

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the United States by water volume. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is smaller by volume but is considered one of the most prestigious for its research programs. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and the Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium in China are comparable in size or larger, depending on how volume is measured. The Georgia Aquarium's size is one reason it can house large animals like whale sharks and beluga whales that require significant space.

Size alone does not determine the quality of an aquarium visit. Smaller aquariums may have more specialized exhibits or better viewing angles for certain animals. The Georgia Aquarium's size means it can offer variety — many different types of animals and habitats in one location — but it also means the facility is large enough that some visitors feel overwhelmed or tired before seeing everything.

Planning your visit based on the aquarium's size

Because the Georgia Aquarium is large, it helps to plan what you want to see before you arrive. If you have limited time, prioritize the Ocean Voyager gallery and one or two other exhibits rather than trying to see everything. If you are visiting with children, the touch pools and interactive areas may take longer than you expect, so build in extra time.

The aquarium's website shows the current layout and which galleries are open. Some exhibits are occasionally closed for maintenance or animal care, so checking ahead prevents disappointment. Arriving early in the day or on a weekday morning gives you more space to move through galleries without feeling crowded, which is especially important in a facility this large.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the entire aquarium in one day?

Yes. Most visitors see all the main galleries in three to five hours. Whether you can see everything depends on how much time you spend reading information, watching shows, and using interactive exhibits. If you move steadily and skip the live performances, three hours is realistic.

Is the Georgia Aquarium bigger than other aquariums in the United States?

Yes, it is the largest in the United States by water volume at 10 million gallons. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago are well-known but smaller. Some aquariums outside the United States are larger.

How many floors does the Georgia Aquarium have?

The facility has multiple levels connected by stairs and elevators, though the exact number of floors varies depending on how you count them. The building is designed so you move between galleries on different levels as you progress through exhibits. The layout is clearly marked with signs.

Will I be able to see everything if I visit with a toddler?

You can see the main galleries, but you may not see every detail or every smaller exhibit. Toddlers move slowly, need breaks, and may want to spend extra time at touch pools or interactive areas. Plan for a longer visit and focus on the galleries your child finds most interesting rather than trying to see everything.

Is the building wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Georgia Aquarium has elevators, accessible restrooms, and pathways designed for wheelchair use. The facility can provide more detailed information about specific accessibility features if you contact them before your visit.