Georgia's Georgia Aquarium is the largest by volume and visitor count
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds the title of largest aquarium in the United States by both water volume and annual visitors. It opened in 2005 and contains 11 million gallons of water across its exhibits. The facility spans 550,000 square feet and draws roughly 10 million visitors per year, making it one of the most visited attractions in the country.
The aquarium's size comes largely from its massive whale shark tank, which alone holds 6.3 million gallons and is one of the largest single exhibits in any aquarium worldwide. This tank was purpose-built to house whale sharks and beluga whales, animals that require enormous spaces to thrive in captivity.
Other major aquariums exist across the United States, but none match Georgia's total volume or visitor numbers. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago are both world-class facilities with significant attendance, but they operate at smaller scales in terms of total water volume.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds 11 million gallons of water, making it the largest aquarium in the United States by volume.
- The facility's whale shark tank contains 6.3 million gallons by itself and is one of the largest single aquarium exhibits in the world.
- The Georgia Aquarium draws approximately 10 million visitors annually, more than any other aquarium in the country.
- Other notable large aquariums include Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, though both are smaller by volume.
How the Georgia Aquarium compares to other major facilities
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is often considered one of the finest aquariums in the world for the quality and diversity of its exhibits, but it holds approximately 750,000 gallons of water—roughly 7 percent of what Georgia Aquarium contains. Monterey Bay focuses on Pacific Ocean ecosystems and draws around 1.8 million visitors annually.
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, located on Lake Michigan, holds about 5 million gallons and serves roughly 2 million visitors per year. It emphasizes freshwater and marine environments and has been a major attraction since 1930, making it one of the oldest large aquariums still operating.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore holds approximately 2.2 million gallons and attracts around 1.3 million visitors yearly. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, contains 12.9 million gallons but opened after Georgia Aquarium and is sometimes cited as larger by volume, though visitor numbers remain lower.
What makes the Georgia Aquarium's size possible
The Georgia Aquarium was built with a specific mission: to house large marine animals that had been rescued or were part of breeding programs. The whale shark tank was engineered to replicate conditions these animals experience in the open ocean, requiring both enormous volume and sophisticated filtration systems.
The facility uses a combination of natural seawater (pumped from the Atlantic Ocean) and artificial saltwater to maintain its exhibits. The building's infrastructure includes multiple backup systems for water circulation, temperature control, and oxygen levels—all necessary to keep such a large volume of water stable and safe for the animals living in it.
Construction costs reflected the scale: the aquarium cost approximately $290 million to build, a figure that included not just the tanks and exhibits but also the engineering systems required to maintain water quality across 11 million gallons. This level of investment is rare and explains why few facilities attempt to match Georgia's size.
The whale shark tank as the centerpiece
The main tank at Georgia Aquarium is 100 feet long, 78 feet wide, and 30 feet deep. It was the first facility in the United States to house whale sharks, the world's largest fish species. The tank's design allows visitors to view the sharks from multiple levels, including an underwater acrylic panel that provides a close perspective.
Whale sharks can grow to 40 feet or longer in the wild, and the Georgia Aquarium's tank represents a compromise between the open ocean and captivity. The facility has faced ongoing discussion about whether such large animals should be held in tanks at all, but the tank remains one of the most popular exhibits in any American aquarium.
Other record-holding exhibits within Georgia Aquarium
Beyond the whale shark tank, Georgia Aquarium holds several other notable records. It houses the largest collection of beluga whales in captivity in the United States and maintains one of the largest populations of manta rays on display. The facility also operates a separate cold-water section dedicated to animals from polar and temperate ocean regions.
The aquarium's tropical diver exhibit, where visitors can observe coral reefs and tropical fish species, spans multiple tanks and represents another significant engineering achievement. The facility maintains precise salinity, temperature, and lighting conditions across all exhibits to match the natural environments these animals come from.
Planning a visit to Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta near the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It is open year-round, though hours vary by season. Admission prices vary depending on which exhibits you want to see—the facility offers different ticket levels for general admission versus premium experiences like behind-the-scenes tours or interactive animal encounters.
The aquarium is accessible by car, public transit, and on foot from downtown Atlanta hotels. Parking is available on-site and in nearby lots. The facility is large enough that most visitors spend at least four to six hours exploring all exhibits, so planning a full day is typical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Georgia Aquarium the largest aquarium in the world?
No. The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the United States, but the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and the Dubai Aquarium in the United Arab Emirates both hold more water by volume. However, Georgia Aquarium draws more annual visitors than any other aquarium globally.
Can you see whale sharks at any other American aquarium?
The Georgia Aquarium was the first facility in the United States to house whale sharks. As of now, it remains the only American aquarium with whale sharks on display, though this may change as other facilities develop the infrastructure to support them.
How often does the water in the Georgia Aquarium get changed?
The facility does not drain and refill its tanks. Instead, it uses continuous filtration systems that remove waste and maintain water quality. The water is treated and recirculated constantly, similar to how large public pools operate, though with far more sophisticated monitoring.
What is the cost to visit the Georgia Aquarium?
Admission prices vary by ticket type and season. General admission typically ranges from around $30 to $40 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. Premium experiences like interactive programs cost extra. Check the facility's website for current pricing and any special offers.