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Swim with Whale Sharks Program Description:
Journey with Gentle Giants is the only opportunity in the world where you are guaranteed to swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, in Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit built by The Home Depot. Guests will swim at the surface with a floatation device and air supplied by either a small compressed air cylinder or a snorkel. The following equipment is provided: mask and snorkel, gloves, booties, wetsuit, floatation device and compressed air cylinder. Personal masks are permitted.
Cost:
$224.95 plus tax; $205.95 plus tax for Members. Price includes admission to the Aquarium, AT&T Dolphin Tales show, 4D Theater, all equipment, the swim,
certificate of participation, t-shirt and souvenir photo.
When:
Daily at 4:30 p.m. This is a 2.5 hour experience. The swim portion will last approximately 30 minutes, and participants will also view some behind-the-scenes areas of the Georgia Aquarium. You may need to arrive earlier if you wish to experience AT&T Dolphin Tales show and the 4D Theater.
*To make an advance reservation for the AT&T Dolphin Tales show following your online purchase, please contact the Call Center at 404-581-4000.
Who:
All participants
must be age 12 and older. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water. No diving/snorkeling experience required.
Cancellations:
At Georgia Aquarium, we recognize that vacation plans can change. A date may be changed if it is made more than 48 hours in advance with a change fee of $50. Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404-581-4000.
Reserve your spot today online or by calling 404-581-4000.
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Diving with Whale Sharks Program Description:
Journey with Gentle Giants is the only opportunity in the world where SCUBA diving with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, is guaranteed. Open Water certified divers are eligible to participate in the SCUBA dive program, which is in the Ocean Voyager exhibit built by The Home Depot, with the following equipment provided: mask, fins, tank, buoyancy device, regulator, weights, booties and wetsuits. Personal masks are permitted.
Cost: $324.95 plus tax; $295.95 plus tax for Members. Program price includes admission to the Aquarium, AT&T Dolphin Tales show, 4D Theater, all equipment, the dive, certificate of participation, t-shirt and souvenir photo.
When:
Daily at 3 p.m. and with an additional dive on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. This is a 2.5 hour experience. The dive portion will last approximately 30 minutes, and participants will also get to view some behind-the-scenes areas of the Georgia Aquarium. You may need to arrive earlier if you wish to experience the AT&T Dolphin Tales show and 4D Theater.
*To make an advance reservation for the AT&T Dolphin Tales show following your online purchase, please contact the Call Center at 404-581-4000.
Who:All participants must be ages 12 and older. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water. Proof of Open Water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization must be provided, along with photo identification.
Cancellations:At Georgia Aquarium, we recognize that vacation plans can change. A date may be changed if it is made more than 48 hours in advance with a change fee of $50. Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404-581-4000.
Reserve your spot today online or call 404-581-4000.
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The PADI Whale Shark Distinctive Specialty Certification and Manta Ray Distinctive Specialty Certification at Georgia Aquarium offer the unique opportunity for guests to learn more about whale sharks or manta rays through academic lecture and direct observation. Participants will receive a Student Manual beforehand, an educational tour, additional time in the water for the opportunity of an intimate whale shark or manta ray encounter, collector's pin, bracelet and a PADI Whale Shark or Manta Ray Distinctive Specialty certification card, depending on the program in which you are participating.
Georgia Aquarium is the only environment in the world to offer these unique distinctive specialty certifications. Guests have a guaranteed opportunity to dive with manta rays, whale sharks and thousands of magnificent animals in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, built by The Home Depot. Any certified diver from a recognized dive organization is qualified to participate in either of these specialty certifications.
*Please note that you may only participate in one specialty per dive.
Learn more about each specialty:
Whale Shark Specialty:
Certified Open Water Divers participating in the Journey with the Gentle Giants Dive Immersion Program will now have an opportunity to earn a unique PADI Distinctive Specialty Certification offered nowhere else in the world. Become one of the few to earn the Georgia Aquarium Whale Shark Distinctive Specialty Certification. This unique opportunity is available to all divers certified by any recognized national or international training organization, similar to the PADI Open Water Diver Certification.
Manta Ray Specialty:
Certified Open Water Divers participating in the Journey with the Gentle Giants Dive Immersion Program will now have an opportunity to earn a unique PADI Distinctive Specialty Certification offered nowhere else in the world. Become one of the first to earn the Georgia Aquarium Manta Ray Distinctive Specialty Certification. This unique opportunity is available to all divers certified by any recognized national or international training organization, similar to the PADI Open Water Diver Certification.
Interested in participating?
How: The PADI Whale Shark or Manta Ray Distinctive Specialty Certification is available as an add-on to your Journey with the Gentle Giants dive when you purchase online. If you have already purchased your dive, please call the Call Center at 404-581-4000 to add the Manta Ray or Whale Shark Distinctive Specialty Certification to your program.
When: Dives occur daily at 3 p.m. with an additional dive on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. For the additional weekend 11 a.m. dive, participants should arrive at 9:50 a.m. for the Manta Ray Specialty and 10:10 a.m. for the Whale Shark Specialty. Both Manta Ray and Whale Shark Specialty guests should arrive at 2:15 p.m. for the 3 p.m. dive.
Who: Registered participants in the Journey with Gentle Giants Dive Immersion Program can sign up for this whale shark or manta ray specialty. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old, and any diver under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating open water certified adult diver in the water. Proof of open water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization must be provided, along with photo identification.
Pre-Requisites
- Open Water Certification or higher
- Completion of PADI Participant Medical Statement (similar to statement in Open Water Training, included in whale shark or manta ray student packet upon registration and payment)
- Completion of Safe Diver Statement and Liability Release (included with student packet upon registration and payment)
- Minimum age is 12 years old (Journey with Gentle Giants Dive Immersion Program requires all divers in the Ocean Voyager exhibit to be 12 and over)
- Any diver under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating certified adult diver in the water.
- Prior reading of the student package included in the email upon registration. It is not required; however, the Georgia Aquarium recommends that any diver who has not recently been in the water participate in a refresher course with the emphasis on buoyancy control.
What to bring: Proof of open water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization; completed forms
Cost: Both the Whale Shark and Manta Ray Specialities are a $69.95 plus tax add-on each to your purchased dive.
What is the purpose of this program/overview of the dive?
The program is an exploration of the Ocean Voyager exhibit and introduction to the Georgia Aquarium conservation and whale shark research program. Journey with Gentle Giants is the only opportunity in the world where you are guaranteed to swim or SCUBA dive with the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. A portion of the proceeds from this program support the Aquarium's 4R conservation program. Read more about the Georgia Aquarium's 4R program.
What is the duration of the program and what is included in the experience?
The program lasts for 2.5 hours and includes a 30-minute swim or SCUBA dive in the Ocean Voyager exhibit. Participants will also view some behind-the-scenes areas of the Georgia Aquarium.
How big is the Ocean Voyager exhibit, and what will I see?
The exhibit contains 6.3 million gallons of water and ranges in depth from 20 to 33 feet deep. This exhibit houses thousands of fish including whale sharks, zebra sharks, sawfish, leopard whiprays, bowmouth guitarfish, humphead wrasses, pompano and several species of rays. That's just to name a few.
What is the difference between SCUBA and swim?
SCUBA diving is the act of swimming underwater while using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. There are several large diving organizations that train and certify divers and dive instructors. The Aquarium's swim program will allow individuals to swim at the surface with an air supply, and this does not require any certification.
Do I have to be SCUBA certified?
Yes, if you would like to SCUBA dive. Proof of open water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization must be provided, along with photo identification. There is no certification necessary to participate in the swim program.
What should I bring with me?
All you will need to bring is your swimsuit. If diving, you will have to provide proof of open water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization, along with photo identification. Georgia Aquarium will supply all equipment (mask, fins, tank, buoyancy device, regulator, weights, wetsuit and booties) and towels. Please do not bring your own equipment. Personal masks are permitted. Cameras of any kind are not permitted in the water. Comfortable changing rooms with showers and lockers are provided.
What is the cost of the program?
For the swim program, the cost is $224.95 (plus tax) for non-Members and 10% off for Annual Pass Members. For the SCUBA dive program, the cost is $324.95 (plus tax) for non-Members and 10% off for Annual Pass Members. Program price includes admission to the Aquarium, AT&T Dolphin Tales show, 4D Theater, all equipment, the swim or dive, certificate of participation, t-shirt and souvenir photo. DVD will be available for purchase. Equipment provided: mask, fins, tank, buoyancy device, regulator, weights, booties and wetsuit. Personal masks are permitted, but will be required to be disinfected.
Can I pre-register? Do I have to pre-register?
We encourage guest to pre-register as there are a limited number of spaces per swim and dive.
What are the age requirements?
All participants must be age 12 and older. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water. The SCUBA option is open to all certified divers. Proof of open water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization must be provided, along with photo identification.
Are you able to dive/swim with special needs?
Yes, we have designed the locker room and dive platform to meet ADA regulations. When you call to make a reservation, please let the reservists know you have special needs and someone from the dive program will call you prior to your visit to review your special needs, mobility issues and equipment.
Can my size be accommodated?
We can accommodate wetsuit sizes and equipment sizes for people who weigh between 45 lbs and 320 lbs.
Are guests welcome to watch? Do they have to buy a ticket?
Yes, friends and family can watch you in the Ocean Voyager exhibit at the tunnel and big window. They must purchase general admission tickets. Guests will be escorted around the dry side during the event for the best opportunity to see the participants. Please do not leave minor children (under age 12) unattended with the Aquarium Volunteers during your swim/dive experience.
How do I get to the Aquarium?
The Aquarium is located downtown right next to the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park. Click here for directions.
Where do I go when I arrive?
Please go to the Animal Interactions kiosk, located next to the Ocean Voyager gallery built by The Home Depot, to check in 30 minutes prior to your experience.
Will there be a guide in the water with me?
There will be three dive masters in the water with you at all times. Dive team members are CPR, first aid and emergency oxygen trained. Both the dive and swim programs are a guided tour; they are not a free swim.
How do I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation by registering online or calling 404-581-4000.
What is your rescheduling policy?
At Georgia Aquarium, we recognize that vacation plans can change. A date may be changed if it is made more than 48 hours in advance with a change fee of $50. Cancellations within 48 hours and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404-581-4000.
What's the water temperature?
The water temperature is 77 degrees F.
Can we feed the animals?
No.
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