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

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the title of largest aquarium in the world by water volume. It contains 11.5 million gallons of saltwater and freshwater combined, which is more than any other single aquarium building. However, "largest" depends on how you measure it — some facilities are larger by floor space or by the number of animals they hold, and a few aquariums in other countries come close to or match the Georgia Aquarium's volume when you count multiple connected buildings as one system.

The Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 and held the volume record unchallenged for many years. In recent years, a few other facilities have approached or matched its size, particularly in Asia. Understanding what "largest" actually means helps explain why different sources sometimes list different aquariums as number one.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta contains 11.5 million gallons of water, making it the largest single aquarium building by volume in the world.
  • The China Zoos Aquarium in Zhuhai, China, and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan both have comparable or slightly larger volumes when counting all their connected tanks and systems.
  • Aquariums are measured by water volume, floor space, or number of animals, and the ranking changes depending on which measure you use.
  • The Georgia Aquarium's record is based on its single main building, not on multiple separate facilities combined together.

How the Georgia Aquarium's volume compares to other major facilities

The Georgia Aquarium's 11.5 million gallons is a genuine record for a single building. The next-largest facilities by volume are spread across Asia. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan contains approximately 7.5 million gallons in its main tank and connected systems. The China Zoos Aquarium in Zhuhai has reported volumes in the range of 12 to 13 million gallons when all its sections are counted together, though some sources dispute whether these sections should be counted as one facility or separate ones.

The difference between these numbers matters because of how aquariums are measured. If you count only the main exhibition tank, the Georgia Aquarium's Whale Shark tank alone holds 6.3 million gallons. If you count all connected holding tanks, treatment systems, and backup water supplies, the total grows. Different aquariums report their volumes in different ways, which is why you will see conflicting claims about which is truly the largest.

Why the Georgia Aquarium held the record for so long

When the Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005, it was built with the explicit goal of being the world's largest. At that time, no other facility came close to 11.5 million gallons. The previous record holder, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, contains about 750,000 gallons — less than 7 percent of the Georgia Aquarium's volume.

The Georgia Aquarium's record stood unchallenged for roughly 15 years. During that time, most new aquariums built worldwide were smaller, regional facilities. The rise of very large aquariums in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, is a more recent development. These newer facilities were built with access to larger budgets and newer construction technology, which allowed them to match or exceed the Georgia Aquarium's volume.

What "largest" actually means in the aquarium world

Aquariums can be ranked by water volume, by floor space, by the number of animals, or by the number of species on display. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest by volume, but it is not necessarily the largest by every other measure. Some aquariums spread across multiple buildings or outdoor pools may have more total floor space or more animals, even if their water volume is smaller.

The Georgia Aquarium's strength is concentrated volume — one massive building with enormous tanks. This design allows for very large animals like whale sharks and beluga whales. Other facilities might have more total water spread across many smaller exhibits, which allows them to display more species or more individual animals, even if the total volume is less.

The Georgia Aquarium's record-holding exhibits

Even if the Georgia Aquarium is no longer the absolute largest by volume, it still holds several specific records. Its Whale Shark tank is the largest single tank in the world by volume at 6.3 million gallons. It is also the only aquarium in the United States that houses whale sharks, which are the world's largest fish. The facility's beluga whale habitat and its manta ray tank are also among the largest of their kind.

These specific records matter to visitors and to marine science. A whale shark requires an enormous amount of space to swim naturally, and the Georgia Aquarium's tank is one of the few places on Earth where you can see one in captivity. Even if another facility eventually builds a larger overall aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium's individual exhibits may remain record-holders for specific animals.

How aquariums measure and report their size

There is no international standard for how aquariums report their volume, which is why comparing them can be confusing. Some facilities report only their main exhibition tanks. Others include all connected systems — holding tanks, quarantine areas, treatment facilities, and water storage. Some count only saltwater volume, while others combine saltwater and freshwater.

The Georgia Aquarium reports 11.5 million gallons as its total volume, which includes all connected systems. When other aquariums report their volumes, they may or may not be using the same counting method. This is why a facility claiming 12 or 13 million gallons might not actually be larger in the way that matters to a visitor — the extra volume might be in backup systems rather than in public exhibits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Georgia Aquarium still the biggest in the world?

By water volume in a single building, yes. However, some aquariums in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, have reported comparable or slightly larger total volumes when all their connected systems are counted. The answer depends on how you measure "biggest" — by volume, by floor space, or by number of animals.

What is the largest tank in the Georgia Aquarium?

The Whale Shark tank holds 6.3 million gallons and is the largest single tank in any aquarium in the world. It is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and other large fish species. This tank alone is larger than many entire aquariums.

How does the Georgia Aquarium compare to the Monterey Bay Aquarium?

The Georgia Aquarium contains 11.5 million gallons, while the Monterey Bay Aquarium contains about 750,000 gallons. The Georgia Aquarium is roughly 15 times larger by volume. However, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is highly regarded for its exhibits and conservation work, even though it is much smaller.

Can other aquariums claim to be larger than Georgia's?

Some aquariums in Asia report volumes that match or exceed the Georgia Aquarium's, but the measurements are often disputed because different facilities count their water differently. The Georgia Aquarium's record is clearest when measuring a single main building, which is how it is typically ranked.