Beluga Encounter

We absolutely encourage you to use your phone to show us your tickets.  There is no need to print the email or barcodes.  Our contactless turnstiles will allow you to scan the barcode right from your phone.

We ask that you have your phone ready with your email pulled up once you pass through security.  Please note that Sleepover Tickets are not viable for entry until 6:00pm, but allow for all day admission the morning after the sleepover.

No problem.  You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

For the safety of our animals, guests and team members, all program participants must wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose at all times for the duration of the program.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters.

Then as you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks where you can view and print your pictures immediately.

To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/

If you have had known exposure to a person who has tested positive for Covid 19, we ask that you reschedule your Animal Encounter for at least two weeks in the future. Rescheduling for this reason will not incur any additional charges or fees.

All participants will be asked to take a short survey prior to their encounter or program to determine if they have had contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid 19. If that is confirmed, participants will be rescheduled for at least two weeks in the future without any additional charges or fees.

Georgia Aquarium has several sanitization and cleanliness procedures, many of which have been enhanced given the awareness of COVID-19. Our Environmental Operations team continually cleans and disinfects frequently touched places like handles, elevators, faucets, counters, and more. We have placed additional hand sanitizer units in gallery entrances and exits and additional signage in our restrooms indicating proper handwashing techniques. For staff, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and gloves are available for all employees and volunteers.

The program fee is non-refundable; however, the program will be rescheduled whenever possible based upon program availability. The Aquarium will reschedule your encounter free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of visit. If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $20 change fee per ticket will be charged. No changes can be made less than 48 hours prior to the date of your original visit, and the guest will be charged the full program cost. 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

Reservations are not required. However, we strongly encourage purchasing in advance to guarantee your experience as spaces are limited.

For the safety of our animals, guests and team members, all program participants must wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose at all times for the duration of the program. Additionally, all guests must consent to a contactless temperature check upon entry

Every effort will be made in order to allow participation in our Encounter. Please call 404-581-4000 to make a reservation and let the reservists know you have special needs and someone from the program will call you prior to your visit to review your options.

Times change day by day based on the aquarium schedules and animal needs.  Available times and space will be shown in the booking process.

Every effort will be made in order to allow participation in our Beluga Encounter. Please call 404-581-4000 to make a reservation and let the reservists know you have special needs and someone from the program will call you prior to your visit to review your options.

The entire Beluga Encounter Program occurs behind the scenes and is not viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the program area.  Guests will not be able to watch you interact with the belugas. Any guests that you would like to be a part of this poolside experience will also have to purchase a ticket.

Cancellation and Date Change Policy: The program fee is non-refundable; however, the program will be rescheduled whenever possible based upon program availability. The Aquarium will reschedule your encounter free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of visit. If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $20 change fee per reservation will be charged. No changes can be made less than 48 hours prior to the date of your original visit, and the guest will be charged the full program cost. 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.

Guests must check in at the Animal Interaction desk, located next to the Ocean Voyager Built by The Home Depot gallery, 15 minutes prior to the start of their program. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to participate in the program and will not be refunded or rescheduled. We encourage guests to arrive at the Aquarium with plenty of time to park, enter, and check into the program. Please plan accordingly.

Due to the nature of caring for animals, Georgia Aquarium reserves the right to modify, cancel and/or reschedule programs without notice. Reasonable accommodations will be made to reschedule guests as effectively as possible.

Please go to the Animal Interactions desk, on the second floor next to the Ray Touch Pool, to check in at least 15 minutes prior to your Dolphin Encounter.

For directions to the Aquarium and information on parking, please refer to the Hours, Directions & Parking section of our website!

Please ensure that your party adheres to the age requirements for this Animal Interactive.  

• Each guest 15 years of age and under must come with a participating adult (one adult per minor required).
• All participants must be ticketed for the Interaction.
• Guests 17 and under must have a program liability waiver signed and dated by a parent or court appointed legal guardian.
• Must be 7+ to participate. 

If you do not follow the requirements, your program will be cancelled.

Parents or court appointed legal guardians must sign program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines for guests 17 and under.

You can make a reservation by calling Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404.581.4000. After you have purchased your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email that will include instructions how to supply additional information and submit the waivers required to participate in the program. All participants must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating in the program. Guests age 17 and under must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.

Reservations are not required. However, we strongly encourage reservations to guarantee your experience as spaces are limited. Space is currently limited to only 4 participants per beluga per program. While up to 8 participants may be able to participate per program time:

Parties larger than 4 participants will be divided between different animals due to the space limitation. Parties of 2 or 3 participants may be divided between different animals due to the space limitation.

For the safety of our animals, guests and team members, all program participants must wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose at all times for the duration of the program. Additionally, all guests must consent to a contactless temperature check upon entry.

A photo I.D., appropriate footwear, attire that can be splashed and your sense of adventure! Guests may not bring personal cameras into dolphin program areas.

The Beluga Encounter program lasts 15-minutes and includes approximately 8 minutes of interaction with a beluga. During this fast-paced program you will go behind the scenes of our Cold Water Quest Gallery to meet, and interact with one of our beluga whales. You’ll see up-close many of the ways we care for our belugas and participate in a training session during this hands-on poolside encounter.

Any feeding of marine mammals is currently offline due to covid.

Guests will have the opportunity to have an intimate, up-close experience with the beluga whales. There are a variety of activities that can take place at the discretion of the training staff while interacting with and even touching the whale. Participating in training techniques and feeding may be part of the experience if it is appropriate to do so based upon the behavior of the animals being interacted with and behavior of the participants involved in the program. Animal trainers will tailor each program to ensure a safe and engaging experience for both our animals and our guests. As a result, each program may be a little different.