Georgia Aquarium is the largest by volume, but "largest" depends on how you measure
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the title of largest aquarium in the world by total water volume. It contains 11.5 million gallons of water across its exhibits. However, the answer shifts if you measure by floor space or number of animals instead — other aquariums rank higher on those metrics, which is why you may see different claims online.
When aquariums compete for the "largest" title, they are usually talking about water volume, and by that standard the Georgia Aquarium has held the record since it opened in 2005. The next-largest by volume is the Marine Life Park in Singapore, with 10 million gallons. But some aquariums in Asia have more floor space or more individual animals, so the ranking depends entirely on what you are counting.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Aquarium holds 11.5 million gallons of water, making it the largest by volume since 2005.
- Other aquariums may have more floor space, more animals, or more exhibits, so "largest" is not a single fixed answer.
- The Georgia Aquarium is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and thousands of other marine animals across multiple galleries.
- Aquariums measure size differently depending on whether they count water volume, square footage, or animal count.
How the Georgia Aquarium compares to other major aquariums
The Georgia Aquarium's 11.5 million gallons puts it ahead of the Marine Life Park in Singapore (10 million gallons) and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan (7.5 million gallons). However, some Asian aquariums have larger floor space. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, for example, spans more physical area and houses more individual animals, even though its total water volume is smaller.
The difference matters because a sprawling facility with many smaller tanks can feel larger to visitors than a compact building with fewer, deeper tanks. The Georgia Aquarium's design emphasizes massive central tanks — particularly the Ocean Voyager exhibit, which alone holds 6.3 million gallons and is home to whale sharks and manta rays. That single tank accounts for more than half the building's total volume.
What makes the Georgia Aquarium's size possible
The Georgia Aquarium's enormous water volume requires specialized systems that most buildings do not have. The structure was built specifically to support the weight and pressure of millions of gallons, with reinforced concrete and steel throughout. The Ocean Voyager tank alone is 203 feet long, 78 feet wide, and 30 feet deep — roughly the size of two Olympic swimming pools stacked side by side.
Maintaining that much water demands constant filtration, temperature control, and chemical balance. The aquarium uses a combination of mechanical filters, biological filters, and ultraviolet sterilization to keep the water clean. The systems run 24 hours a day, and the facility employs hundreds of staff members, including marine biologists, veterinarians, and engineers, just to keep the animals healthy and the exhibits functioning.
Why other aquariums claim the "largest" title differently
Some aquariums market themselves as the largest by different measures. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China, for instance, advertises itself as having the most animals or the most exhibits. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium emphasizes its iconic Kuroshio Sea tank, which is the second-largest single tank in the world by volume. These are all legitimate claims — they are just measuring different things.
The confusion arises because there is no single international standard for what "largest aquarium" means. A visitor might reasonably call an aquarium the largest if it has the most exhibits, the most animals, the most floor space, or the deepest tanks. The Georgia Aquarium wins on water volume, which is the most commonly cited metric, but that does not mean it is objectively the "best" or most impressive aquarium overall.
What you will see at the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium houses over 100,000 animals representing more than 500 species. The facility is organized into several major galleries: the Ocean Voyager (whale sharks and manta rays), the Tropical Diver (coral reefs and tropical fish), the Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest (beluga whales and sea otters), the River Scout (river ecosystems), and the Beluga Encounter (interactive exhibits with beluga whales).
The whale sharks are the main draw — the aquarium is one of only a handful of facilities in the world that keeps these animals in captivity. The facility also houses manta rays, which are rarely seen in aquariums outside of Asia. The building is designed so that visitors move through exhibits in a logical flow, with the largest and most impressive tanks positioned to create memorable moments as you progress through the galleries.
How aquarium size affects the visitor experience
A larger aquarium by volume does not automatically mean a better experience. The Georgia Aquarium's size allows for massive, naturalistic tanks that let large animals like whale sharks move freely, which many visitors find impressive. However, some smaller, more specialized aquariums offer more intimate encounters or focus on specific ecosystems in greater detail.
The Georgia Aquarium's scale also means it can be crowded, especially on weekends and during school holidays. The sheer number of visitors can make it harder to linger at exhibits or get close views of animals. Some people prefer smaller aquariums where they can spend more time with fewer crowds, even if the total water volume is less.
The record may change in the future
The Georgia Aquarium has held the world record for nearly two decades, but new aquariums are being built in Asia and the Middle East that may eventually surpass it. Several projects in development could exceed 11.5 million gallons, though as of now, none have opened. If a larger facility does open, the Georgia Aquarium would lose the title, but it would remain one of the world's most significant aquariums by any measure.
The record is also somewhat arbitrary — it depends on how you define "aquarium" and whether you count only the main facility or include satellite locations. Some organizations operate multiple buildings under one name, which could theoretically add up to more total volume than the Georgia Aquarium alone, but that is not how the record is typically counted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Georgia Aquarium bigger than the Monterey Bay Aquarium?
Yes, by water volume. The Georgia Aquarium holds 11.5 million gallons, while the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California holds about 750,000 gallons. However, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is widely regarded as one of the world's finest aquariums because of its exhibits, research programs, and conservation work — not because of its size.
Can you see whale sharks at other aquariums?
Whale sharks are extremely rare in captivity. Only a handful of aquariums worldwide house them, including the Georgia Aquarium, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, and the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Most other major aquariums do not have whale sharks because they are difficult and expensive to care for.
How long does it take to see everything at the Georgia Aquarium?
Most visitors spend three to five hours at the Georgia Aquarium. You can move through quickly in two hours if you skip interactive exhibits, or spend a full day if you watch animal feedings, attend presentations, and participate in hands-on encounters. The time depends on your pace and which exhibits interest you most.
Is the Georgia Aquarium the most visited aquarium in the world?
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the most visited, typically drawing 10 million visitors per year, but exact rankings vary by year and by how you count visitors. Some Asian aquariums report similar or higher numbers, depending on the source and the year.
What is the deepest tank in the world?
The Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager tank is 30 feet deep, but it is not the deepest. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium's Kuroshio Sea tank is 22.5 meters (about 74 feet) deep, making it deeper than the Georgia Aquarium's deepest tank, though it holds slightly less total volume.