The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta Holds the Record

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, is the largest aquarium in the world by water volume. It holds 11.5 million gallons of saltwater and freshwater combined, spread across six main galleries. The facility opened in 2005 and remains the standard against which other large aquariums are measured.

The aquarium's size is difficult to visualize in gallons alone. To put it in perspective, the main tank — the Ocean Voyager exhibit — contains 6.3 million gallons by itself and is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and thousands of fish. A single whale shark in that tank can weigh as much as 40 tons and stretch 40 feet long.

The Georgia Aquarium cost $250 million to build and required four years of construction. It sits in downtown Atlanta near the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The building itself covers 10 acres of floor space, making it one of the largest buildings in Georgia by footprint.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta holds 11.5 million gallons of water and has been the world's largest since 2005.
  • The Ocean Voyager exhibit alone contains 6.3 million gallons and is home to whale sharks and manta rays.
  • Other major aquariums like the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and the Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium are significantly smaller but still rank among the world's largest.
  • Water volume is the standard measure for comparing aquarium size, though visitor capacity and number of species also vary widely.
  • Building and maintaining an aquarium of this scale requires specialized engineering for water filtration, temperature control, and animal care.

How the Georgia Aquarium Compares to Other Large Facilities

Several other aquariums rank among the world's largest, though none exceed the Georgia Aquarium's total volume. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan holds 7.5 million gallons and is known for its Kuroshio Sea tank, which features whale sharks and manta rays similar to those in Atlanta. The Okinawa facility opened in 2002 and draws over 1.8 million visitors annually.

The Shanghai Disneyland Aquarium in China opened in 2016 and contains approximately 6 million gallons of water. It focuses on interactive exhibits and educational programs alongside traditional viewing tanks. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, while smaller at 750,000 gallons, is often ranked among the world's best for research and conservation work rather than size alone.

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, holds 12.9 million gallons and opened in 1998. For several years after its opening, it competed with the Georgia Aquarium for the title of largest, but the Georgia facility's 2005 opening and larger volume secured its position at the top.

What Makes the Georgia Aquarium's Size Possible

Building and maintaining an aquarium of this scale requires engineering that most people never see. The facility uses a complex system of filtration, pumps, and water treatment to keep 11.5 million gallons clean and at the correct temperature and salinity. The Ocean Voyager tank alone requires constant monitoring because even small changes in water chemistry can stress the whale sharks and other large animals.

The aquarium employs over 1,000 staff members, including marine biologists, veterinarians, engineers, and aquarists who care for the animals and maintain the exhibits. The facility uses approximately 60,000 gallons of fresh water daily just for cleaning and maintenance, separate from the water in the tanks themselves. Heating and cooling the massive volume of water is one of the largest operational expenses.

The Georgia Aquarium also participates in breeding programs for endangered species and conducts research on animal behavior and health. The whale sharks in the Ocean Voyager tank have been studied extensively to understand their growth, diet, and social behavior in captivity — information that helps inform conservation efforts in the wild.

The Animals and Exhibits Inside

The Georgia Aquarium houses over 100,000 animals representing more than 500 species. Beyond the whale sharks and manta rays in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, the facility includes beluga whales, sea otters, seahorses, jellyfish, and countless species of fish and invertebrates. Each exhibit is designed to replicate the animal's natural habitat as closely as possible.

The Tropical Diver exhibit focuses on coral reef ecosystems and includes colorful fish, sea turtles, and invertebrates. The Cold Water Quest gallery features animals from polar and temperate regions, including sea otters and jellyfish. The River Scout exhibit showcases freshwater animals from rivers and streams around the world, including piranhas and river dolphins.

The aquarium's size allows it to house animals that smaller facilities cannot accommodate. Whale sharks, for example, require enormous tanks because they are filter feeders that swim constantly. The Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager tank provides the space these animals need to exhibit natural behavior.

Visitor Experience and Annual Attendance

The Georgia Aquarium draws between 2 and 3 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited aquariums in the world. The facility is designed to handle large crowds while allowing visitors to view animals from multiple angles and distances. The Ocean Voyager tank, for example, has an underwater tunnel where visitors can watch whale sharks and manta rays swim overhead.

Tickets are priced separately for general admission and special experiences like behind-the-scenes tours or animal encounters. General admission typically costs between $30 and $45 depending on the day and season, with discounts available for children, seniors, and Georgia residents. The facility is open year-round except for a few holidays.

The aquarium's location in downtown Atlanta makes it accessible by public transportation and parking. It sits near other major attractions, so many visitors combine a trip to the aquarium with visits to nearby museums or restaurants.

How Aquarium Size Is Measured and Why It Matters

Aquariums are ranked by total water volume, measured in gallons or liters. This metric matters because larger volumes provide more stable water chemistry and allow facilities to house larger animals or more animals overall. A tank with 1 million gallons can support different species and population sizes than a tank with 100,000 gallons.

Water volume is not the only measure of an aquarium's quality or importance. Some smaller aquariums are known for exceptional research, conservation work, or educational programs. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, for example, is smaller than the Georgia Aquarium but is widely recognized for its marine science research and its role in sea otter conservation.

Visitor capacity and the number of species on display are also factors that distinguish aquariums. An aquarium might have a large total volume but focus on a few species, while another might have a smaller volume but display hundreds of species. The Georgia Aquarium ranks high on all three measures: volume, visitor capacity, and species diversity.

Future Developments and Expansion Plans

The Georgia Aquarium has undergone several renovations and expansions since its 2005 opening. In 2020, the facility opened a new exhibit called Beluga Encounter, which provides closer interaction with beluga whales. The aquarium continues to update exhibits and add new attractions to maintain visitor interest and improve animal care.

Other aquariums around the world are under construction or in planning stages, and some may eventually exceed the Georgia Aquarium's size. However, as of now, no facility has surpassed its 11.5 million gallon capacity. The cost and complexity of building and operating an aquarium of this scale means that new record-holders, if they are built, will likely be many years away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit the Georgia Aquarium?

General admission ranges from $30 to $45 depending on the day and season. Children, seniors, and Georgia residents often receive discounts. Special experiences like behind-the-scenes tours or animal encounters cost extra and are priced separately. Check the aquarium's website for current pricing and any special offers.

Can you see whale sharks at other aquariums besides Georgia?

Yes. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan also houses whale sharks in its Kuroshio Sea tank. A few other facilities around the world have held whale sharks at different times, though most aquariums do not have tanks large enough to accommodate them long-term. The Georgia Aquarium and Okinawa Churaumi are the two most well-known facilities for whale shark viewing.

How many animals live in the Georgia Aquarium?

The facility houses over 100,000 animals representing more than 500 species. The exact number changes as animals are born, transferred to other facilities, or pass away. The Ocean Voyager tank alone contains thousands of fish along with the whale sharks and manta rays.

Is the Georgia Aquarium still the largest in the world?

Yes, as of now the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta remains the world's largest by water volume at 11.5 million gallons. No other aquarium has surpassed this capacity, though several facilities rank among the world's largest and offer unique exhibits and experiences.

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

Most visitors spend between four and six hours at the facility, though you can see the main exhibits in two to three hours if you move quickly. The aquarium is large enough that you could spend an entire day there if you read all the educational materials and watch animal feedings and demonstrations.