Journey with Gentle Giants – Swim

I don’t know how to swim – can I still participate?

• Yes. We welcome participants of all experience levels, including non-swimmers. That said, we do recommend being comfortable in the water and open to new experiences to get the most out of the activity.

Am I able to dive with impairments or disabilities?

• Every person is different, and Dive Immersion strives to accommodate people of all abilities while ensuring a positive and safe experience for all participants.
• Swimmers who are not fully independent in the water must have someone participating with them in the water to provide direct assistance.
• Those with other functional needs or accommodation requests must contact the Dive Team before booking. Failure to do so could result in the delay or cancellation of your program.

I am a larger/plus-sized swimmer – do you have a wetsuit that will fit me?

• Our wetsuit sizes and dive safety equipment can accommodate guests that fall within the following parameters –
  • Waist no larger than 66.5” (169cm) and weigh no more than 400lbs (181kgs).
• No outside equipment can be used to exceed these limits.

I’m pregnant or expecting – can I still participate?

• Yes, pregnant participants are welcome. However, we strongly recommend consulting with your doctor beforehand to ensure that participating in a snorkel experience is safe given the specifics of your pregnancy.

I do not want to swim, but my child does – what are my options?

• All minors must be accompanied by a trusted adult who is participating in the water – that adult does not need to be the child’s parent or legal guardian.
• Parents or legal guardians must sign the participating minor’s waiver.
• Staff cannot provide supervision for minors.

Can I be the participating adult for two minors in each listed age group?

• No. Each minor aged 12–14 must have their own participating adult in the water (1:1 ratio). A separate participating adult is required for any minors aged 15–17, with a maximum (1:7 ratio).

What time should I arrive?

• We recommend arriving at the aquarium at least an hour prior to your event time to allow enough time for parking and security. Check-in is 30 minutes before program start time at the Animal Interaction Desk.
• Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program.

How long is the program?

• The swim experience lasts approximately 2.5 – 3 hours, which includes a safety briefing, time for changing into and out of wetsuits, a 30-minute snorkel experience, and an experience debrief.
• Please plan the rest of your aquarium visit (other interactions, show times, and aquarium hours) accordingly.

What else included in the experience? Do you offer any add-ons?

• The swim experience includes:
  • All necessary swim equipment
  • Access to changing rooms, showers, lockers, and towels
  • An exclusive souvenir experience t-shirt
  • A digital photo taken before your swim
• Optional add-ons are available for purchase, including a digital HD video of your experience and other keepsake items.
• Aquarium admission is not included in the price of the swim program.

Can my friends or family watch me swim? Do they have to buy a ticket?

• Yes, friends and family are welcome to watch from the Ocean Voyager tunnel and main gallery window, but they must purchase a General Admission ticket to enter the Aquarium.
• If staffing allows, guests will be escorted by an Aquarium volunteer or they will be directed to where to go for the best viewing opportunity.
• Staff and volunteers cannot offer care or supervision for any minors – they must be accompanied by an adult.

What swim equipment & facilities do you provide?

• We provide all the dive gear you will need: a floatation vest, mask, snorkel, wetsuit, gloves, and booties.
• You will have access to changing rooms with showers, lockers, and towels.
• For guests who are near-sighted, we offer a selection of prescription snorkel masks ranging from –2.0 to –8.0.

What should I bring with me?

• Please bring a clean swimsuit to wear under your wetsuit.
• Personal masks and dive snorkels are allowed but must be disinfected by staff before use. We ask that you do not bring any other equipment.
• We ask participants to refrain from wearing jewelry, excessive makeup, or hair products.
• We recommend bringing a bag for your wet clothes.

Can we freedive or swim underwater?

• No. Freediving and underwater swimming are not permitted during the swim. This experience is designed as a surface snorkel only.

Can I bring a camera or take photos during the experience?

• Cameras are allowed on deck before and after your experience, but are not permitted to enter the water.
• Friends and family are welcome to take photos of you from the tunnel or main gallery window during your swim.
• A digital souvenir photo is included with your experience, and a highlight video will be available for purchase after your swim.

Can I touch or pet the animals during the swim?

• No. The swim is for observation only, and touching or harassing the animals is not permitted.

Will there be a guide in the water with me?

• Yes. Three professional divers will be in the water supervising the group for the duration of your guided tour.

What are the water conditions?

• Ocean Voyager has a calm surface with depths ranging from 20 to 30 feet (6–9 meters). It is temperature-controlled at 76°F (24°C)—ideal for snorkeling.
• The habitat houses whale sharks, manta rays, a green sea turtle, and thousands of other fish. Learn more about our Ocean Voyager habitat here.

Who do I contact if I need to reschedule or make a change to my reservation?

• Contact our Call Center at (404) 581-4000 to reschedule or make any changes to your order.
• The Dive Team does not directly handle reservations and cannot assist with changes to bookings, ticketing, or rescheduling.

I’m running late, what are my options?

• Guests who arrive after the designated check-in time will not be permitted to participate and will not receive a refund or rescheduling option. Please plan to arrive early to ensure a smooth experience.

What is your cancellation, no-show, and rescheduling policy?

• All cancellations and no-shows are non-refundable and will not be rescheduled.
• While we do not offer refunds, you may reschedule your visit at no charge if the change is made at least 14 days before your original visit date. Changes made less than 14 days in advance will incur a $50 fee per ticket. To request a date change, please contact Georgia Aquarium’s Call Center at (404) 581-4000.
• Due to the nature of caring for animals, Georgia Aquarium reserves the right to modify, cancel, or reschedule programs without notice. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate affected guests.

Do you offer group rates or private experiences?

• Groups of 4 or more may be eligible for discounted rates.
• For a more private experience, program buyouts are available.
• Contact our Call Center at (404) 581-4000 for more information.

• All participants must sign a liability release waiver prior to the event, either on-site the day of your experience or by completing it online in advance via Smartwaiver.
• Want a quick overview of what to expect? Check out the Program Information Packet.