Journey With Gentle Giants - Dive

The “Journey with Gentle Giants” program is an exploration of the Ocean Voyager Built by The Home Depot exhibit where participants will come see whale sharks, manta rays and thousands of other fish. This program is also an introduction to Georgia Aquarium’s whale shark research and conservation program with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Aquarium’s research and conservation efforts.

Participants will be briefed before their dive, change into their wetsuits, be guided around the habitat during their dive, shower and then attend a debriefing session.

PLEASE NOTE: This program is currently unavailable at this time.

This add-on is an enhanced, education-focused dive program that will educate and equip particpants about the whale sharks or manta rays they will encounter and how they can “advocate” for these amazing animals. Participants will receive an in-depth educational session through a classroom session and a behind-the-seas tour that is centered around the chosen animal distinction. To top it off, participants will be treated to an intentional “face-to-face” interaction during your experience.

The Aquatic Advocate program costs $69.95 (+tax) and can be purchased online at checkout or by calling the Call Center at 404.581.4000

The program is approximately 2.5 hours, so please plan travel and other Aquarium shows accordingly. The experience includes a tour of the topside of the Ocean Voyager exhibit and a 30-minute guided scuba dive in the habitat (or 1 tank, whichever comes first).

Participants can purchase professionally shot and edited HD video of their experience, and additional t-shirts, hats, mask straps and reusable bags can also be purchased on-site.

Guests also have the option to upgrade their experience by enrolling in our brand new “Aquatic Advocates” Program.

Ocean Voyager contains 6.3 million gallons of water and ranges in depth from 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m) deep The water temperature is set at 76ºF. This exhibit houses thousands of fish, whale sharks, manta rays and Tank the green sea turtle.

We welcome certified autonomous divers of all experience levels. If you have not been diving in a while, we suggest heading to your local dive shop for a skills-refresher course before participating.

We welcome all certified autonomous divers of all experience levels.

For those of you who are highly experienced and looking for an adventure, consider signing up for at the Dive Program’s “Rebreather Experience.”

Participants must check-in at the Animal Interaction Desk in front of the Ocean Voyager gallery AT LEAST 30 minutes prior to their event time. We highly recommend you arrive at the Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security and check-in.

All scuba gear including mask, fins, tank, buoyancy device, regulator, weights, wetsuit, gloves and booties are provided. Personal masks and dive computers are permitted but must be disinfected by staff before use. No other personal dive equipment is permitted.

All you will need to bring is your swimsuit, proof of open water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization and photo identification. Georgia Aquarium supplies all needed dive equipment and comfortable changing rooms with showers, lockers and towels. Personal masks and dive computers are permitted but must be disinfected by staff before use. Please do not bring any other equipment and refrain from wearing jewelry, excessive makeup or hair products.

Cameras are permitted on deck, however no cameras are permitted in the water. Friends and family may take photos of you from the tunnel or main gallery window while you are participating in the experience.

The Dive Program is for observation only. Divers are not permitted to touch the animals.

There will be three dive masters in the water with you at all times. Dive team members are certified in CPR, first aid and in providing emergency oxygen. The Dive Program is a guided tour, not a free swim.

Yes, friends and family can watch from the Ocean Voyager tunnel and main window, but they must purchase a General Admission ticket. If staffing allows, guests will be escorted by a volunteer OR directed to where to go for the best opportunity to see the participants. Staff cannot offer care for any children under 12 – they must be accompanied by an adult.

The scuba program costs $333.95 (plus tax) for non-Members and $279.95 for Annual Pass Members. Program price includes all dive equipment, certificate of participation, t-shirt and a souvenir photo. A video of your experience will be available for purchase. General Admission to the Aquarium is NOT included in the price and must be purchased separately.

We do not offer refunds, but a date may be changed free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days before the original date of your visit. Dates changed less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit will be charged $50 per ticket. To change your reservation, please contact Georgia Aquarium’s Call Center at (404) 581-4000.

Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. Guests arriving after the required program check-in time will not be permitted to participate and will not be refunded or rescheduled.

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.