Specialty Certifications - Georgia Aquarium

Whale Shark and Manta Ray Specialty Certifications

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.

Whale Shark

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Georgia Aquarium doing to help guests and staff stay healthy?
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.
Pre-Requisites
- Open Water Certification or higher
- Completion of PADI Participant Medical Statement
- 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. All participants must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating in the program. Guests under the age of 18 must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.
What do I need to bring?
Proof of open water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization; completed forms.
Who can participate?
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. All participants must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating in the program. Guests under the age of 18 must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.
All Rebreather dive participants must be 18 and older. Please Note: All participants must have the program liability waiver, medical waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating.
When can I participate?
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.
How can I participate?
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.