Fewer than 10 public aquariums currently hold whale sharks

Whale sharks live in only a handful of aquariums worldwide. As of now, fewer than 10 facilities house them, and that number has stayed small for decades. The reason is straightforward: whale sharks are enormous, expensive to maintain, and difficult to keep healthy in captivity.

The largest concentration is in Asia. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the most whale sharks outside Asia — currently two animals. Most other facilities that have attempted to keep them have eventually released them back to the ocean or closed their programs.

If you are planning a trip specifically to see a whale shark, your realistic options are limited to a few named locations. Knowing which ones actually have them now matters, because programs change and animals are sometimes moved or retired.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the only facility in North America with whale sharks, currently housing two of them.
  • Most whale sharks in captivity live in Asian aquariums, particularly in China, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Whale shark programs are expensive and difficult to maintain, so the number of facilities holding them has remained very small and relatively stable.
  • Some aquariums that once kept whale sharks have since released them or closed their programs, so checking current status before visiting is necessary.

The Georgia Aquarium and North American facilities

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, which opened in 2005, is the only aquarium in North America with whale sharks. It currently holds two whale sharks in its Ocean Voyager exhibit, the largest tank in the facility. The tank holds 6.3 million gallons of water and was specifically designed to accommodate these animals.

Before the Georgia Aquarium opened, no other North American facility had successfully maintained whale sharks long-term. Several zoos and smaller aquariums attempted programs in the 1980s and 1990s, but none lasted. The Georgia Aquarium's success is partly due to the scale of its tank and the resources dedicated to the animals' care.

Asian aquariums with whale sharks

China holds the most whale sharks in captivity globally. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Guangdong Province has housed multiple whale sharks since its opening. The Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean World and other large facilities in China have also kept them, though the exact number and current status of these programs changes.

Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has kept whale sharks for extended periods and remains one of the most established programs outside China. The facility's large open-ocean tank provides conditions closer to the animals' natural environment than smaller exhibits.

The United Arab Emirates, particularly facilities in Dubai, has also housed whale sharks. These programs tend to be less publicized than those in China or Japan, but they represent a significant portion of the global captive population.

Why so few aquariums have them

Whale sharks are the world's largest fish, reaching lengths of 40 feet or more. A tank large enough to house them must be enormous — most experts agree that anything smaller than several million gallons is inadequate. Building and maintaining such a tank costs tens of millions of dollars.

The animals also have specific dietary and environmental needs. Whale sharks eat plankton and small fish, which means an aquarium must constantly produce or source massive quantities of food. They are also sensitive to water quality changes and require precise temperature and salinity control.

Breeding whale sharks in captivity has never been achieved. Every whale shark in an aquarium was captured from the wild, which raises ethical concerns and regulatory restrictions. Many countries now prohibit or heavily restrict the capture of whale sharks, making it harder for new facilities to obtain them.

Programs that have closed or changed

Several aquariums that once kept whale sharks no longer do. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, one of the world's most respected facilities, held a whale shark for a brief period in the 1980s but released it after determining that long-term captivity was not suitable. The decision reflected growing scientific understanding of the animals' needs.

Some facilities in Southeast Asia attempted programs but found the costs unsustainable or the animals' health declining. These closures are not always widely publicized, so older sources may list aquariums that no longer have whale sharks.

How to find current information

Because whale shark programs are rare and subject to change, the best way to confirm whether a specific aquarium currently has them is to contact the facility directly. Websites and travel guides may not reflect recent changes in animal populations or program status.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) maintains records of member facilities and their animals, though not all aquariums worldwide are AZA members. Checking an aquarium's official website or calling ahead is the most reliable approach if seeing a whale shark is the main purpose of your visit.

Alternatives to seeing whale sharks in captivity

If visiting an aquarium is not practical, whale shark encounters in the wild are possible in several locations. The waters off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, the Philippines, and Western Australia are known for seasonal whale shark populations. Snorkeling and diving tours operate in these areas, though sightings are never may provide.

Whale watching and marine wildlife tours in these regions are often less expensive than traveling to a distant aquarium and may provide a more authentic view of the animals in their natural behavior. The trade-off is that wild encounters depend on season and luck, whereas aquarium visits offer a scheduled, controlled experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Georgia Aquarium still have whale sharks?

Yes, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta currently houses two whale sharks in its Ocean Voyager exhibit. The facility has maintained its whale shark program since opening in 2005. Contact the aquarium directly to confirm current status or plan a visit.

Can whale sharks breed in aquariums?

No, whale shark breeding has never been achieved in captivity. Every whale shark in an aquarium was captured from the wild. This is one reason why the number of captive whale sharks remains small and why new facilities rarely attempt to establish programs.

Why did some aquariums release their whale sharks?

Aquariums that released whale sharks, like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, determined that the animals' long-term health and welfare were better served in the ocean. The enormous size and specific needs of whale sharks make captive care extremely challenging, and some facilities concluded the animals were suffering.

Is it better to see whale sharks in an aquarium or in the wild?

That depends on your priorities. Aquariums offer may provide viewing and close observation, but the animals are in confined spaces. Wild encounters show natural behavior but require travel to specific locations and depend on seasonal timing and luck.

How many whale sharks are in captivity worldwide?

Fewer than 10 whale sharks live in public aquariums globally. The exact number fluctuates as programs change, animals age, or facilities adjust their collections. No central registry tracks all captive whale sharks, so precise counts are difficult to confirm.