Georgia Aquarium is the largest by volume, but size depends on how you measure

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the title of largest aquarium in the world by water volume — it contains 11.5 million gallons. That makes it roughly twice the size of the second-largest aquarium by volume. However, "biggest" can mean different things: some aquariums are larger by floor space, others by number of animals, and a few rival Georgia's volume depending on how recently they expanded or how their capacity is calculated.

If you are measuring by the amount of water the building holds, Georgia Aquarium wins. If you are measuring by the physical footprint or the number of species on display, other aquariums compete. Understanding which metric matters helps you decide whether Georgia Aquarium is the one you want to visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds 11.5 million gallons of water, making it the world's largest by volume.
  • The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in China are among the largest by floor space and animal count, though they hold less total water.
  • Georgia Aquarium's size comes largely from its massive whale shark tank, which accounts for 6.3 million gallons on its own.
  • Visiting the largest aquarium by volume does not necessarily mean seeing the most animals or the most species — that depends on the facility's collection strategy.

How Georgia Aquarium measures up by water volume

Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 and held the volume record for nearly two decades. Its main tank, the Ocean Voyager exhibit, was built to house whale sharks and manta rays — animals that need enormous space. That single tank contains 6.3 million gallons, which is larger than many entire aquariums.

The second-largest aquarium by volume is the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, which holds approximately 7.5 million gallons total. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in China holds around 5.5 million gallons. So Georgia's 11.5 million gallons is substantially larger than either competitor when measured by water volume alone.

Other ways to measure "biggest"

Floor space tells a different story. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium covers roughly 188,000 square feet, while Georgia Aquarium covers about 120,000 square feet. If you care about walking through a larger physical space with more exhibits spread out, Okinawa offers more ground to cover.

Number of animals is another metric. Some aquariums prioritize density — keeping many animals in a smaller space — while others, like Georgia, focus on large animals that need room to swim. Georgia Aquarium houses around 10,000 animals across 500 species. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium displays roughly 70 species but in a larger building. Neither number is inherently "bigger" — it depends on what you want to see.

Why Georgia Aquarium's whale shark tank dominates the volume

The Ocean Voyager exhibit is so large because whale sharks are the world's largest fish. A single whale shark can reach 40 feet long and weigh 20 tons. Keeping one alive in captivity requires a tank with enough volume that the animal can turn around and swim naturally. Georgia Aquarium houses four whale sharks, which is why its main tank alone is larger than most entire aquariums.

The tank is 203 feet long, 84 feet wide, and 33 feet deep at its deepest point. It also holds manta rays, which are large but smaller than whale sharks. The sheer size of this single exhibit is what pushes Georgia Aquarium's total volume so far ahead of competitors.

Other major aquariums and their sizes

The Dubai Aquarium, located inside the Dubai Mall, holds 2.64 million gallons — substantial but less than a quarter of Georgia's volume. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, one of the most respected in North America, holds about 750,000 gallons. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Los Angeles holds 12.5 million gallons, which would make it larger than Georgia, but that figure includes water in behind-the-scenes systems not on public display.

If you count only water visible to visitors, Georgia Aquarium remains the largest. If you count all water the facility uses — including filtration systems, holding tanks, and treatment areas — some facilities claim higher totals. Most comparisons use the public display volume, which is why Georgia Aquarium holds the widely recognized record.

What "biggest" means for your visit

A larger volume of water does not automatically mean a better experience. Georgia Aquarium's size makes it impressive for seeing large animals like whale sharks and manta rays in naturalistic conditions. But if you prefer seeing a wider variety of smaller animals, a more densely populated aquarium might hold your attention longer. If you want to spend hours walking through exhibits, a facility with more floor space might be better.

Georgia Aquarium's size also means it can be crowded, especially on weekends and school holidays. The massive tanks are designed to accommodate large animals, not necessarily to give every visitor an unobstructed view. Visiting during off-peak times — weekday mornings or early afternoons — often provides a better experience than the raw size of the facility would suggest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgia Aquarium bigger than the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

Georgia Aquarium is bigger by water volume — 11.5 million gallons versus approximately 7.5 million gallons. However, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium covers more floor space and some visitors find it easier to navigate. Both are world-class facilities; which is "bigger" depends on whether you measure by volume or by physical footprint.

How much of Georgia Aquarium's size comes from the whale shark tank?

The Ocean Voyager exhibit, which houses the whale sharks, contains 6.3 million gallons out of the facility's total 11.5 million gallons. That means more than half the aquarium's entire volume is dedicated to a single tank. The remaining exhibits contain the other 5.2 million gallons.

Does being the biggest mean Georgia Aquarium has the most animals?

No. Georgia Aquarium houses around 10,000 animals, which is substantial but not the highest count among major aquariums. Some facilities pack more animals into smaller spaces. Georgia's size allows large animals like whale sharks to have more room, rather than maximizing the total number of creatures on display.

Can I see the whale sharks clearly at Georgia Aquarium?

The Ocean Voyager tank has multiple viewing areas, including an underwater acrylic tunnel where you can see sharks swim overhead. However, the tank is so large that the sharks are not always visible from every spot. Visiting during quieter times and spending time at different viewing areas increases your chances of seeing them up close.

Is the Aquarium of the Pacific bigger than Georgia Aquarium?

The Aquarium of the Pacific claims 12.5 million gallons, but that figure includes water in filtration systems and behind-the-scenes areas not open to visitors. By public display volume alone, Georgia Aquarium's 11.5 million gallons is larger. The distinction matters because most aquarium size comparisons use only the water visitors can see.