The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the world by volume, but not by all measures

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the title of world's largest aquarium by water volume — it contains 11.5 million gallons. It opened in 2005 and held that record for a decade. However, "largest" depends on what you measure. If you count by number of animals, by floor space, or by visitor capacity, other aquariums rank higher. The distinction matters if you are deciding whether to visit based on size alone.

The Georgia Aquarium's 11.5 million gallons is genuine and verified. That volume comes from four main galleries: the Tropical Diver, the Beluga Whale Habitat, the Manta Ray Lagoon, and the Ocean Voyager exhibit. The Ocean Voyager alone holds 6.3 million gallons and is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and thousands of fish. No other single tank in the world holds more water.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium holds 11.5 million gallons of water, more than any other aquarium on Earth.
  • Other aquariums exceed it in floor space, number of animals, or annual visitors, so "largest" depends on how you measure.
  • The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and the Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium both have larger floor areas but less total water volume.
  • The Georgia Aquarium's whale sharks and manta rays are among its main draws, and both live in the Ocean Voyager tank.

How the Georgia Aquarium compares to other major aquariums

The Georgia Aquarium's 11.5 million gallons exceeds the second-largest by volume, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, which holds 7.5 million gallons. However, Okinawa covers 188,000 square feet of floor space compared to Georgia's 120,000 square feet. The Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium, which opened in 2016, spans 430,000 square feet — nearly four times the Georgia Aquarium's footprint — but holds less total water because much of its space is devoted to walkways, viewing areas, and exhibits with shallower tanks.

The number of animals tells a different story. The Georgia Aquarium houses roughly 100,000 animals across all species. The Okinawa Churaumi holds approximately 70,000. The Shanghai facility and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California each display fewer total animals but may have more species represented. If you are interested in biodiversity rather than sheer volume, those aquariums may offer a different experience.

Visitor numbers also vary. The Georgia Aquarium draws around 2.5 million visitors per year, making it one of the most-visited aquariums globally. The Okinawa Churaumi and several Asian aquariums attract similar or higher annual attendance, partly because they are located in regions with larger nearby populations.

What makes the Georgia Aquarium's size significant

The Georgia Aquarium's water volume matters most for the animals that require the most space. Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, need enormous tanks to move freely and exhibit natural behavior. The Ocean Voyager's 6.3 million gallons allows the Georgia Aquarium to house multiple whale sharks at once — something few other facilities can do. Manta rays, which can have wingspans exceeding 20 feet, also benefit from the tank's size and depth.

The volume also supports the life-support systems required for these animals. Larger tanks are easier to maintain at stable temperatures and chemical balances because the water's mass resists rapid changes. The Georgia Aquarium's size allows it to house cold-water animals like beluga whales alongside tropical species, each in separate climate-controlled sections. Smaller aquariums must choose between these categories or use more intensive mechanical systems.

When the Georgia Aquarium might not be the "biggest" for your visit

If you measure an aquarium visit by time spent, the Georgia Aquarium's 120,000 square feet may feel smaller than the Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium's 430,000 square feet. More floor space usually means more exhibits to walk through and more time to spend. The Georgia Aquarium is dense — many animals in a smaller footprint — while Shanghai spreads its exhibits across a larger area.

If you are interested in freshwater animals or specific ecosystems, other aquariums may suit you better. The Georgia Aquarium emphasizes marine life, particularly large ocean animals. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California focuses on Pacific Coast ecosystems and includes extensive freshwater and kelp forest exhibits. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has a strong freshwater collection. Size by volume does not tell you whether an aquarium matches your interests.

The history of the Georgia Aquarium's record

The Georgia Aquarium opened on November 23, 2005, and when ready claimed the world record for water volume. It held that title unchallenged until 2012, when the Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium was announced — though Shanghai's record is by floor space, not volume. The Georgia Aquarium still holds the volume record as of 2024.

The facility cost $250 million to build and was funded primarily by Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus. It was designed to house the whale sharks that had been collected from the wild in 2005, an event that was controversial at the time and would not be permitted under current international regulations. The aquarium has since focused on breeding programs and conservation rather than wild collection.

What you will actually see at the Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium's main draw is the Ocean Voyager exhibit, where whale sharks and manta rays are visible from an underwater viewing tunnel and from above. The Tropical Diver section features coral reefs and thousands of smaller fish. The Beluga Whale Habitat houses four beluga whales in a 5.2-million-gallon tank. The Cold Water Quest section includes sea otters, sea dragons, and jellyfish. There is also a penguin colony and a river otter habitat.

The aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta near the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It is open daily, though hours vary by season. Admission is not free, and prices vary depending on whether you purchase online in advance or at the gate. The facility is accessible by public transit and has on-site parking.

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; Monterey Bay holds approximately 750,000 gallons. However, Monterey Bay is renowned for the quality and diversity of its exhibits, particularly its kelp forest and Pacific Coast ecosystems. Size does not determine the quality of the experience.

Can you see whale sharks at other aquariums?

Yes, but not many. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan houses whale sharks in its 7.5-million-gallon main tank. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, also displays whale sharks. Most other aquariums do not have tanks large enough to house them safely.

How long does it take to see everything at the Georgia Aquarium?

Most visitors spend two to four hours. The facility is not enormous by floor space, so you can move through it relatively quickly. However, the Ocean Voyager exhibit and the Beluga Whale Habitat are popular and may have crowds, which can slow your pace.

Is the Georgia Aquarium worth visiting if I have seen other large aquariums?

That depends on what you want to see. If you have not seen whale sharks or manta rays in person, the Ocean Voyager is worth the trip. If you have visited similar facilities, the Georgia Aquarium offers a different collection but not necessarily a larger or more diverse one.