Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, holding almost 12 million gallons of water and home to more than 500 species of marine life — including whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and sea otters. It is the only aquarium outside Asia to house whale sharks. Open 365 days a year, tickets start from around $54.99 per person. Children under 3 enter free. It attracts around 2.5 million visitors annually.
Georgia Aquarium is one of the great wonders of Atlanta — and one of the great aquariums on earth. Holding close to 12 million gallons of water across seven immersive galleries, it is home to more than 500 species and tens of thousands of individual animals, from the gentle giants of the ocean (whale sharks and manta rays in the 6.3 million-gallon Ocean Voyager tank) to the charismatic creatures of polar seas (beluga whales, penguins, and sea otters in Cold Water Quest).
Georgia Aquarium is the only institution outside Asia to house whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — and this alone makes it a truly singular destination. But the full breadth of the experience, including live dolphin and sea lion presentations, interactive touch pools, a 100-foot underwater tunnel, and some of the most thrilling animal encounter programmes in any aquarium worldwide, makes it one of the most compelling attractions in the American South.
Located in Downtown Atlanta’s Pemberton Place, directly beside the World of Coca-Cola and steps from Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium is ideally placed for a full day of sightseeing. This complete 2026 guide covers tickets, galleries, animal encounters, and tips for planning your visit.
Top Tickets
# Georgia Aquarium tickets
# Georgia Aquarium entry with Atlanta CityPass
Georgia Aquarium uses dynamic pricing — tickets start from around $54.99 per person when booked in advance for off-peak dates, with prices rising to $64.99+ for peak dates (summer weekends, holidays). Children under 3 enter free. The Aqua Pass (unlimited visits for all of 2026) is available for the price of a single-day ticket. Buying online is cheaper than at the door and allows you to skip the ticket queue.
| Ticket Type | Price |
| General Admission (3+ years) — off-peak | From US $54.99 |
| General Admission (3+ years) — peak | Up to US $64.99+ |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Aqua Pass (unlimited 2026 visits) | Same price as single-day ticket |
Tickets are delivered to your email. Show your e-ticket on your smartphone at the skip-the-line check-in booth. Note: dolphin and sea lion presentations are included with admission but require separate seat reservations — make these as early as possible on the day of your visit.
A combo ticket covering Georgia Aquarium and the Atlanta Zoo saves 10% on your next booking and is ideal for families spending multiple days in Atlanta.
Buy This ComboThe Atlanta CityPASS includes guaranteed Georgia Aquarium admission alongside the World of Coca-Cola and three other top Atlanta attractions, saving up to 47%. Valid for nine consecutive days after first use, with no blackout dates.
| CityPASS Type | Price |
| Adult (13+ years) | US $106 + tax |
| Child (3–12 years) | US $86 + tax |
Georgia Aquarium features seven permanent galleries: Ocean Voyager (whale sharks, manta rays, 100-ft underwater tunnel), SHARKS! Predators of the Deep, Cold Water Quest (beluga whales, penguins, sea otters), Dolphin Coast (bottlenose dolphins, live presentation), Pier 225 (California sea lions, Saltwater Showdown presentation), Tropical Diver (living coral reef, seahorses), and River Scout (freshwater species). A 4D Theatre, touch pools, Aquanaut Adventure, and a range of paid animal encounter programmes round out the experience.
The centrepiece of Georgia Aquarium and one of the most extraordinary aquatic exhibits anywhere in the world. The Ocean Voyager tank holds 6.3 million gallons of water and is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and thousands of other fish. A 100-foot (30-metre) underwater tunnel runs through the tank, allowing visitors to walk beneath the marine life, and a massive viewing window — 23 feet (7 metres) tall and 61 feet (18 metres) wide with 2-foot-thick acrylic walls — provides dramatic floor-to-ceiling views.
One of North America’s largest shark exhibits, featuring floor-to-ceiling acrylic viewing windows and home to several apex predator species including the Great Hammerhead Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Silvertip Shark, and Tiger Shark. A genuinely thrilling gallery for shark enthusiasts of all ages.
Journey to the world’s coldest ocean environments in this gallery, which houses Southern Sea Otters, African Penguins, Beluga Whales, and the Giant Pacific Octopus. The Waddle Walk — in which penguin trainers lead three African penguins on a stroll through the aquarium’s central Atrium — typically takes place around 10:40 am and is one of the most charming free experiences included with standard admission.
Home to Georgia Aquarium’s pod of Common Bottlenose Dolphins. The Destination Dolphin presentation is a live theatrical performance celebrating the bond between dolphins and humans — included in general admission, though seat reservations are required and should be made as early as possible on the day of your visit. The 1,800-seat dolphin theatre is one of the largest in any aquarium worldwide.
A new gallery addition: Colorful Wonders of Coastal Birds — featuring roseate spoonbills and scarlet ibis — can now be found within the Dolphin Coast gallery, adding a striking visual element to this section.
Pier 225 transports you to the California coast for an up-close look at the aquarium’s California Sea Lions. The Saltwater Showdown presentation is a live training demonstration showcasing the teamwork between sea lions and their trainers — new for recent seasons and included with general admission (reservation required).
One of the most visually spectacular galleries: a recreation of a tropical Pacific coral reef with over 200 species of coral, thousands of colourful reef fish, and a stunning overhead crashing wave effect. Look out for clownfish, seahorses, fairy basslets, and three impressive jellyfish exhibits. This is where families with children inevitably spend the most time.
Explore the freshwater rivers of Africa, South America, Asia, and Georgia in this themed environment, complete with waterfalls, logjams, and a simulated North American river that flows overhead. Highlights include piranhas, alligator snapping turtles, archerfish, and small Asian-clawed otters.
A unique adventure programme designed for families, with seven different themed routes through fresh water and marine habitats. Visitors who complete at least five of the seven routes receive an official Georgia Aquarium Aquanaut certification — a popular keepsake for younger visitors.
An advanced multi-sensory cinema experience using 3D high-definition projection with interactive seats and special in-theatre effects. Showtimes vary — check on arrival and reserve your seat early, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with general admission.
Yes — Georgia Aquarium offers the only guaranteed opportunity in the world to swim or dive with whale sharks and manta rays in the Ocean Voyager exhibit. The “Journey with Gentle Giants” swim experience costs $260 per person (ages 12+, snorkel); the dive version costs $360 per person (SCUBA certification required). Both last 2.5 hours with 30 minutes in the water. Advance booking is essential as availability is very limited.
| Animal Encounter | Cost | Age Requirement |
| Journey with Gentle Giants — Swim (with whale sharks) | $260 + tax | 12+ years |
| Journey with Gentle Giants — Dive (SCUBA) | $360 + tax | 12+ years, Open Water cert required |
| Rebreather Dive Programme | $469.95 + tax | 18+ years, SCUBA cert required |
| Shark Cage Dive | $234 + tax | 12+ years |
| Shark & Ray Interaction | $100 + tax | 4ft+ tall |
| Beluga Interaction | $155 + tax | 5ft+ tall |
| Dolphin Encounter | $80 + tax | 7+ years |
| Penguin Encounter | $70 + tax | 7+ years |
| Sea Otter Encounter | $65 + tax | 7+ years |
| Seal Encounter | $70 + tax | 7+ years |
| Behind the Seas Highlight Tour | $16 + tax | All ages (adult required under 18) |
All animal encounter programmes require general admission. Book at the Animal Interactions kiosk on arrival; some can be pre-booked online. Weight and height restrictions apply — see the Georgia Aquarium website for full details.
Georgia Aquarium is open 365 days a year. General hours are 9 am to 8 pm or 9 pm, though closing times vary by season and day. Hours occasionally shorten to 5 pm or 6 pm — always verify on the Georgia Aquarium website or app before visiting. The aquarium does not close on public holidays.
| Day / Season | Hours |
| General (most days) | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm |
| Some weekdays (off-peak) | 9:00 am – 5:00 or 6:00 pm |
| Public holidays | Open (hours may vary) |
Hours vary significantly by season. Always confirm current hours on the Georgia Aquarium website or app before your visit.
Visitors who attend all shows, participate in feeding sessions, and explore every gallery need around four hours. If you add one or more animal encounters, allow five or more hours, or plan Georgia Aquarium as a full-day outing — there is no time limit on general admission tickets. Visitors in a hurry can cover the highlights in approximately two hours.
Tip: Download the Georgia Aquarium app before your visit for daily event schedules, a personalisable itinerary builder, audio tours, and live webcams of the tanks.
The best time to visit Georgia Aquarium is on a weekday morning at opening (9 am), particularly Monday to Thursday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the quietest days. Weekends and summer school holidays are the busiest periods, with queues forming at the entrance from around 11 am. Late afternoon (after 4 pm) is also a good option on busy days, as crowds thin and animals in touch pools are still active. Avoid peak blackout dates if using an Aqua Pass.
Arriving at 9 am provides the most time before the heaviest crowds arrive around 11 am, and animals in touch pools are most active early in the morning. An early visit also gives you the best chance of securing seat reservations for the dolphin and sea lion presentations, which are popular and fill up quickly.
Georgia Aquarium is in Pemberton Place, Downtown Atlanta, directly adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and across the street from Centennial Olympic Park.
Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
By MARTA (Subway): The nearest station is GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines), about 1 km (0.7 miles) — a 15-minute walk. From the Red/Gold lines, alight at Civic Center or Peachtree Center stations — both are around 15 minutes’ walk.
By Bus: Board bus 32 from Civic Center MARTA or Five Points MARTA stations. The Atlanta Streetcar stops at the Centennial Olympic Park stop.
By Car: The official Georgia Aquarium parking deck is at 357 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. The general rate is $25 per visit. Additional parking lots are available nearby.
The Coastline Café on the upper level is a casual dining restaurant serving burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, and snacks. It opens 30 minutes after the aquarium welcomes its first visitors and closes one hour before closing time. The Rotunda Bar opens daily at noon and closes 30 minutes before the aquarium closes. Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the aquarium, with the exception of snacks for children and visitors with dietary needs.
Tip: Bring a refillable water bottle — complimentary water-filling stations are located throughout the exhibits.
Tickets use dynamic pricing and start from around $54.99 for off-peak advance bookings, rising to $64.99+ for peak dates. Children under 3 enter free. Buying online is cheaper than at the door.
Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, holding almost 12 million gallons of water. It held the title of world’s largest until surpassed by some newer international facilities, but it remains the largest in the US and is the only aquarium outside Asia to house whale sharks.
Yes — the Journey with Gentle Giants programme offers the only guaranteed opportunity in the world to snorkel ($260 per person) or SCUBA dive ($360 per person, Open Water certification required) with whale sharks and manta rays. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Allow four hours for a thorough visit including shows. Five or more hours if you’re adding animal encounters. The highlights can be covered in around two hours if time is short. There is no time limit on general admission tickets.
Generally 9 am, though closing times vary by season (typically 8 pm or 9 pm, occasionally earlier on off-peak days). The aquarium is open 365 days a year. Always verify current hours on the Georgia Aquarium website before visiting.
Yes — the Destination Dolphin presentation and the Saltwater Showdown sea lion presentation are both included with general admission. However, seats must be reserved, and same-day reservations should be made as early as possible on the day of your visit.
Yes — the official parking deck is at 357 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. The general rate is $25 per visit. Additional parking lots are available nearby.
The Aqua Pass grants unlimited general admission visits to Georgia Aquarium for all of 2026, for the same price as a single-day ticket. It does not include parking, food, merchandise, or special events, and blackout dates apply. It must be used by December 31, 2026.
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