Frequently Asked Questions

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All requests should include the sender name, recipient name, and your desired message. Be sure to include any details you want us to share, like milestones, birthdays, and anniversaries! The more detail you can provide, the better!

Absolutely! You are welcome to request a specific species. Please keep in mind, because we are working with live animals, we may not be able to do so. We will try our best to meet your requests but may substitute your requests with another species if needed.

Absolutely! While we will certainly try our best to accommodate your specific request, due to the nature of working with live animals, we may not be able to do so. We will try our best to substitute your request with another animal of the same species if possible!

Each day, our animals are given the option to participate in enrichment activities that are both mentally and physically stimulating for them. This includes learning new behaviors, playtime, or interacting with our trainers which helps them form incredibly important bonds. Filming these interactive videos is another form of enrichment they are able to participate in!

Messages are delivered to recipients within 7 days, but most times sooner. Animal safety and wellbeing is our priority; therefore, we will do our best to deliver as quickly as possible while still prioritizing animal care.

All CAMEO video requests must be made through our CAMEO page at www.cameo.com/georgiaaquarium. We’re sorry! Requests cannot be purchased on Georgia Aquarium’s website or through the call center.

Please visit www.cameo.com/georgiaaquarium to book your video!

Pricing is visible on the CAMEO video request page.

Yes! Video samples can be seen on our CAMEO site. Please check out our CAMEO page at: www.cameo.com/georgiaaquarium.

Messages are approximately 45-60 seconds.

Video shout outs are personalized to the recipient including their name, and the occasion being celebrated. Many of video messages will feature some of our popular species and their trainers!

CAMEO Marketplace, both through their app and website, lets Georgia Aquarium fans book personalized video shout-outs, or CAMEO videos, from their favorite animals and their trainers.

The safety and experience of our guests and our team members are our top priorities. We have implemented several new safety measures and updated processes to ensure the Aquarium is operating in accordance with the advice of the state and federal governments and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Take an in depth look below at the precautions being taken to make sure you and your guests feel safe and comfortable while enjoying a splashing event at Georgia Aquarium.

Click here to view our health & safety protocols for Special Events.

This is dependent upon ballroom availability and could incur additional charges. Please consult with your sales manager for more details.

We do offer aquarium admission as an add-on to any event. Please consult with your sales manager for more details.

Yes, please consult with your sales manager for more details.

Yes, it is 85 decibels, and our staff diligently works together to maintain acceptable levels for the health and safety of our animals.

Yes, as long as they follow the guidelines of the contract. All setup and breakdown of any items not provided by Georgia Aquarium or Wolfgang Puck Catering are the responsibility of the client. Load in/out times and locations will be established by the Georgia Aquarium Event Sales & Services Team prior to your event.

As part of hosting an event at Georgia Aquarium, your room rental charge includes tables, chairs, black or white linen, glassware, flatware, choice of ceiling lighting, security, onsite event coordination and once in a lifetime views into our aquatic habitats.

The room rental is a separate fee which goes to supporting the Aquarium operations, and therefore does not apply to your food and beverage minimum.

Yes, please consult with your sales manager for more details.

Unfortunately, we do not have a waitlist for the sleepover. ​

Yes! Please click here for our sleepover handbook. The main change will be the timing of the sleepover, as it will not begin until 9:00pm once the Girl Scout night event has concluded.

If you purchase a general admission ticket, you will enter through our Main Entrance. If you purchased an Overnight ticket, you will enter in through our Group Entrance so that the sleepover team can check you in.

Your ticket will include access to all of our galleries and exhibits. Optional costs include the gift shop or café, should you choose to make a purchase.

Café Aquaria will be open from 6:00pm – 9:00pm if you would like to purchase food. The Café typically had food options such as hamburgers, hotdogs, pizzas, etc.

Yes! The Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta will be offering badge programming opportunities. Upon completion, the badges must be purchased from the Girl Scouts. Badges will not be available at the Aquarium.

The first 2000 scouts in attendance will receive our special Georgia Aquarium patch.

No, the Aquarium will close at 5:00pm to the general public and then reopen at 6:00pm for Girl Scout Night. Your Girl Scout Night ticket grants you entry beginning at 6:00pm.

Unfortunately, memberships and resident passes are not permissible for event entry.

Yes! Friends and family members are welcome to attend the event with their girl scout.

0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Every participant will receive a finisher medal upon completion of the race.

• The 5K’s top three male and female finishers from each age group will receive one General Admission ticket to Georgia Aquarium.
• The top male and female finishers in the Master’s age group (40+) will win an up-close animal encounter for two (valued up to $130).
• The top overall male and female finishers will win an up-close animal encounter for two (valued up to $130) and a Big Peach Running Co. gift card!

Children may participate in the 5k run, so long as they complete the course at the minimum pace of 20 minutes per mile.

Registration includes a race bib, drawstring bag, t-shirt, access to our post-race celebration and $10 off a General Admission Georgia Aquarium ticket in the month of March.

Yes, but they must show proof of purchase.

• Food & Drink policy: No outside food or beverages are permitted in the aquarium with the exception of small snacks for children or visitors with food allergies.  The aquarium has several water bottle filling stations, we encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle for your visit.
• Strollers:  Strollers are allowed at Georgia Aquarium, but for the best experience for you and all guests we recommend leaving them at home. If you choose to bring a stroller on your next visit, we ask that you follow our stroller policy guidelines to ensure guests of all ages have an enjoyable and safe visit. For additional questions regarding the stroller policy and exemptions, please contact 404.581.4000 or hospitality@georgiaaquarium.org ahead of your visit. 
  • Strollers cannot be larger than 29” (72 cm) in width and 52” (132 cm) in length.
  • Wagons, wagon strollers, push cars, jogging strollers and ride-ons are not permitted in order to ensure guests of all ages and abilities can maneuver through the Aquarium safely. 
  • Guests that need to utilize specialty strollers or wagons for medical or sensory purposes are exempt from this policy. 
• Cameras:  Cameras are permitted in the Aquarium for personal use ONLY. The use of flash is prohibited in the presence of some animals. Please refrain from taking photos in our sea lion and dolphin presentations. Commercial or professional photos and video are prohibited unless expressly approved. Professional-grade equipment including but not limited to, tripods, monopods, lighting, flashes, microphones, and detachable lenses, are prohibited.
• Lost & Found:  If you lose an item during your visit, please inquire at the Information Desk before you leave. If you discover you’ve left something behind, call 404.581.4000 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to see if it has been turned in. Report Lost Item
• First Aid:  Piedmont Hospital provides staffing for a full first-aid station, located in the restroom hallway between Ocean Voyager and Tropical Diver.
• Nursing Mothers:  We have a private nursing/pumping room available for mothers on our second floor.
• Weapons Policy: Georgia Aquarium has established – and strictly enforces – a “No Weapons” policy. Weapons include (but are not limited to) firearms and knives. This policy was created to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all guests, and to eliminate a potential risk to guests, staff and/or animals. This policy was created based on the findings of a comprehensive threat assessment conducted by Georgia Aquarium. With more than two million guests visiting our facility each year, and thousands of aquatic animals living in 10 million gallons of water behind acrylic, we cannot put ourselves at risk of either an intentional or accidental discharge of a weapon within our facility. Signage has been placed on our property stating that firearms are not permitted. Enforcing this policy and ensuring the safety of aquarium guests and team members is Georgia Aquarium’s 24-hour security staff, which is supplemented by two off-duty Atlanta Police Officers.
• General Admission Tickets Include: Aquarium admission, all available shows and all available animal galleries. To attend a presentation, you must make a reservation the day of your visit. Show times are subject to change without notice. Check our daily schedule for current show times. Reminder: Georgia Aquarium is located in the Eastern Time Zone. Please plan accordingly.
  • To reserve your seats for the dolphin presentation, click here on the day of your visit.
  • To reserve your seats for the Sea Lion Presentation, click here on the day of your visit.
• Lockers: We do not have lockers or coat/bag check services available.  You will need to carry anything you bring into the aquarium for the duration of your visit.

• Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta across from Centennial Olympic Park.
• For directions from specific highways (I-85, I-75, I-20, etc.) and vehicle height/size restrictions, visit our Directions & Parking FAQ.
• Keep Atlanta traffic in mind when you visit the Aquarium. For up-to-date traffic information, route your trip through Google Maps.
• We have signs and floor markings to explain where to go upon arrival. Georgia Aquarium is not responsible for valuables left in vehicles.
• The official Georgia Aquarium Parking deck is accessible via our entrances on Luckie Street or Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.
• There is no Oversized vehicle parking currently available in our parking deck.

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.

• General Admission guests may exit and reenter Georgia Aquarium during their visit by getting their ticket stamped at the Information desk.
• Prepaid Parking please note that prepaid parking vouchers are for one-time use and can’t be used a second time when returning in a vehicle.

All guests are required to purchase a general admission ticket for entry to Georgia Aquarium.  The Gift Shop inside the Aquarium does not allow guests to just visit the gift shop without being granted admission to the Aquarium.  Our online Gift Shop is accessible 24 hours a day through this link.

All visitors are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are appropriate for a family environment. For example, visitors and staff should not wear items during their visit that may be considered offensive, contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendo/suggestions, promote negative ethnic or racial commentary, or hatred/violence in any form.

We cannot provide refunds or transfers of race registrations. All registrations are final.

0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Every participant will receive a finisher medal upon completion of the race. The top male and female finishers from each age group will receive one general admission ticket to Georgia Aquarium. The top male and female finishers in the Masters age group (40+) will win an up-close animal encounter for two (valued up to $130). The top overall male and female finishers will win an up-close animal encounter for two (valued up to $130) and a Big Peach Running Co. gift card!

No.

Yes, the post-race celebration is open to all runners’ friends, families and support systems!

Please, no pets, alcohol or glass bottles. Strollers are allowed at the post-race celebration as well as on the race course.

No bag check will be available, but Pemberton Place is conveniently located just a few minutes from Georgia Aquarium’s parking garage.

Take the red or gold lines to the Civic Center or Peachtree Center stops; both are less than a 15-minute walk from Pemberton Place.

No, parking is not included. Discounted parking at $5 per vehicle will be available in the official Georgia Aquarium parking garage with proof of participation in the race (valid proof is limited to a race bib). Please consider taking public transportation, as there may be heavy traffic the morning of the race due to road closures.

Children may participate in the 5k run, so long as they complete the course at the minimum pace of 20 minutes per mile.

Runners can register in-person at both packet pickup locations for $35 as well as on race day for $40. Online registration will close on May 29 at midnight.

Registration includes a race bib, drawstring bag, t-shirt, fun giveaway, access to our post-race celebration, and $10 off a General Admission Georgia Aquarium ticket in the month of June.

No, runners have the option of picking up their packet (which includes their bib number and safety pins, drawstring bag, a t-shirt and a fun giveaway) at the following times and dates:

1. Thursday, May 30 from 4-8pm at Big Peach Running Midtown
2. Friday, May 31 from 11am-2pm in Georgia Aquarium’s parking garage
3. Saturday, June 1 starting at 6:30am in Pemberton Place

We highly recommend runners attend one of the pre-race packet pickup options. We cannot guarantee that all runners who choose to pick up their packet the morning of the race will receive their packet before the shotgun start.

Yes, but they must show proof of purchase.

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.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

All tours can be booked by individuals or by a group. Any guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

No high heels are allowed on the tour.

Tours may consist of up to 16 guests.

Payment in full is required at the time of booking. Booking can be made online, by calling Georgia Aquarium at (404) 581-4444 or by visiting the ticket window.

No refunds will be given for tours.

Date changes must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled time of the tour.

All tours are subject to change due to medical procedures or other unforeseen circumstances.

All participants will meet at the desk on the second floor next to the Ray Touch Pool. A Behind the Seas Tour sign will identify the tour. The tour guide will arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time. All tours leave on time. Guests arriving up to 5 minutes late will be escorted to join the rest of the tour already in progress. No refunds will be issued for missing part or all of a tour.

Please use the restroom before or after your tour. There are no restroom stops along the tour route.

Please enjoy your food and drinks before or after your tour! Food and drinks are not permitted on your tour.

Strollers are not permitted on this tour.

Yes! Taking pictures and videos during your tour experience is permitted.

Please Note: There may be some areas in which your tour guide will ask you not to use flash photography.

Per GAI policy, no refunds will be processed for missing their check-in. Participants can reschedule the Aquatic Advocate add-on for another time, but will be responsible for paying for another event.

Guests who do not arrive at the proper check-in time will not be able to participate in the classroom education or behind the scenes tour. We will attempt to honor the in-water portion of the program.

We are no longer offering this specialty certification.

• The former PADI Whale Shark and Manta Ray Specialties were only available to those participating in the DIVE program.
• Guests will no longer receive a PADI certification car of be required to do the paperwork associated with it.
• The educational portion is far more in-depth, up to date and centered around research efforts Georgia Aquarium is doing and how those in the program can become “Aquatic Advocates” and participate in those efforts.

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.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

No, they will not be required. While we encourage all guests to wear masks during their visit, they are not required at this time.

All participants will meet at the desk on the second floor next to the Ray Touch Pool. A Behind the Seas Tour sign will identify the tour. The tour guide will arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time. All tours leave on time. Guests arriving up to 5 minutes late will be escorted to join the rest of the tour already in progress. No refunds will be issued for missing part or all of a tour.

No food or drink is allowed on the tour.

All tours are subject to change due to medical procedures or other unforeseen circumstances.

Date changes must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled time of the tour.

There are no refunds for no-shows.

Payment in full is required at the time of booking. Booking can be made online, by calling Georgia Aquarium at 404.581.4444 or by visiting the ticket window.

Tours may consist of up to 18 guests.

No high heels are allowed on the tour.

All tours can be booked by individuals or by a group. Any guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Please bring:

• A photo I.D.
• Appropriate footwear and attire that can be splashed.
• The beluga habitat is kept cool, and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space.

Guests may not bring personal cameras into sea otter program areas.

Please Note: For the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

Cancellation and Date Change Policy:

• The program fee is non-refundable; however, the program will be rescheduled whenever possible. The Aquarium will reschedule your encounter if given notice more than 48 hours in advance. There will be a change fee of $20 per ticket if notice is given within 14 days of the original reservation date. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at (404) 581-4000. Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.
• Guests must check in at the Animal Interaction desk, located on the second floor, 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. 

Please Note: 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. 

For guests with special needs, every effort will be made 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.

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

• Must be 7+ to participate.
• Guests 15 years of age and under must come with a participating adult (3:1 child to adult ratio 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.

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

We strongly encourage guests to pre-register to guarantee your experience. Spaces are limited to 8 participants per scheduled program and walk-ups can only be accommodated if there are spaces available that day.

*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.

You can make a reservation on this site, or 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 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.

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.

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.

Some days you can see Deepo swimming through our gift shop.

It is recommended that guests plan ahead to enter the Dolphin Coast gallery about 15-30 minutes before presentation time, to allow time to enter the dolphin theater, find your seats and enjoy the educational dolphin presentation pre-show entertainment. If you miss your scheduled dolphin presentation, Georgia Aquarium cannot guarantee you a preferred seat in another dolphin presentation.

In the event that a dolphin presentation is cancelled, guests who purchased preferred seats will be issued a refund for the full cost of their preferred seating.

About 15-30 minutes before the scheduled dolphin presentation, you should make your way to the Dolphin Coast gallery entrance in the main Atrium, take the escalator upstairs and continue through the Dolphin Coast lobby until reaching the queue space for the dolphin theater. Follow signs for the separate line for preferred seating. No refunds will be issued unless the presentation is cancelled.

Typically, preferred seats are available for purchase for all dolphin presentations throughout the day, although this may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on preferred seat availability, visit our website, the Georgia Aquarium app, or inquire at the information desk in our main Atrium.

A certain number of seats in the dolphin theater are designated as preferred seating. The preferred seating is a VIP area directly above the splash zone in the center of the Dolphin Coast theater.

Yes. You may purchase preferred seats for as many dolphin presentations as you would like. You will need to make a separate purchase for each dolphin presentation you would like to attend with preferred seats.

A limited number of seats in the dolphin theater are included in the preferred seating option. The exact number may vary depending on availability. We recommend planning ahead and purchasing preferred seats ahead of time.

No, tickets must be purchased on our website, at one of Georgia Aquarium’s ticketing windows, or at the information desk in the main Atrium. You may also purchase a preferred seat on Georgia Aquarium’s mobile app.

Preferred seating for the dolphin presentation may be purchased on our website, at one of Georgia Aquarium’s ticketing windows, or at the information desk in the main Atrium. You may also purchase a preferred seat on Georgia Aquarium’s mobile app.

Preferred seats may be purchased for any dolphin presentation up until 15 minutes before presentation time, while space is available.

The price of preferred seats in the dolphin presentation is $5 plus tax for members as well as general admission guests of Georgia Aquarium.

No, the dolphin presentation is included with your general admission ticket. However you will need to reserve seats for the presentation when you arrive through our informational kiosks or via your mobile phone.  You will have the option to purchase preferred seats to dolphin presentations in advance of your arrival.

Please be advised that the use of visual stimuli, including flashing lights or patterns, theatrical fog, and lighting effects along with loud music are in use on this property. If you have health problems that could be affected by these types of conditions, please take that into consideration before participating.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

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.

Guests will not be able to watch you interact with the dolphins. Any guests that you would like to be a part of this poolside experience will also have to purchase a ticket.

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.

Minimum age is 7 years. All guests ages 16 and under must be accompanied during the program by a participating adult. All participants must be ticketed for the encounter. There is a maximum of 3 children per participating adult. 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.

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 dolphin 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 Dolphin Encounter program lasts 15-minutes and includes approximately 8 minutes of interaction with a dolphin. During this fast-paced program you will go backstage at our dolphin theater to meet, touch and feed one of the dolphin stars of our spectacular Dolphin Celebration presentation. See up-close many of the ways we care for our dolphins and participate in a training session during this hands-on poolside encounter.

Participants can purchase on-site:

• Professionally shot and edited HD video of the program experience
• Additional program t-shirts
• Program logo hat
• Program logo mask strap
• Program logo reusable bags

Yes. There are eight slots per program and each slot must be purchased to ensure a private experience.

Please call (404) 581-4000 for assistance.

Cameras are permitted on deck before and after your experience but not 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. A digital souvenir photo is included and a video that highlights the program will be available for purchase following your program.

We HIGHLY recommend you arrive at Georgia Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security, and check-in. Participants must check-in at least 30 minutes BEFORE their event at the Animal Interaction Desk on the second floor, located above the gift shop.  Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Participants must be able to dress themselves, dive autonomously with no physical assistance, and climb a 3ft vertical ladder in/out of the habitat unassisted. Divers who need help dressing themselves must provide their own assistance.

Our dive and safety equipment can accommodate guests that have a waist measuring 66.5” (169cm) or less AND weigh no more than 400lbs (181 kgs). Guests may not bring outside gear that allows them to exceed these limits.

Dive Immersion reserves the right to cancel any reservation due to concerns for the health or physical safety of participants. Please email dive@georgiaaquarium.org if there are concerns with these limitations before booking. 

You must be a certified Open Water diver to participate in the scuba program. Georgia Aquarium offers a swim program and a shark cage dive to those who are not certified.

We welcome all certified autonomous divers of all experience levels. For those of you who are highly experiences and looking for an adventure, consider signing up for the Dive Program’s Rebreather Experience.

PLEASE NOTE: This program is currently unavailable.

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.

Yes. Personal masks and snorkels are permitted but must be disinfected prior to your experience.

The Aquarium offers two changing rooms, male and female, with open changing area and private shower stalls. We are aware of the limitations this infrastructure presents and recognize that not all guests conform to a binary system of gender. Our aquarium team is committed to making accommodations for any guest who requests additional privacy when changing and will make every effort do so with advance notice. At Georgia Aquarium, both employees and guests are welcome to use the restroom matching their gender identity.

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.

 Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

 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.

We provide all the gear you will use: a mask, fins, tank, buoyancy device, regulator, weights, wetsuit, gloves, and booties – just bring a swimsuit, your certification card, and your enthusiasm!

Note: Personal masks and dive computers are permitted but must be disinfected by staff before use. No other personal dive equipment is permitted.

The program is offered at 3 p.m. on Monday – Friday and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The program has a maximum of 8 participants per event.

No. The dive is for observation only. Participants are not allowed to touch the animals.

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.

Reservations can be made online or by calling (404) 581-4000. You will receive a confirmation email after purchase with an additional information packet and waivers required to participate in the program. Please be sure to review this information before arriving.

All participants must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating. 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.

Yes. Three professional divers will be in the water with you at all times during the guided tour. Dive team members are certified in CPR, first aid, and in providing emergency oxygen.

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 a volunteer OR directed to where to go for the best viewing opportunity. Staff cannot offer care for any minors – they must be accompanied by an adult.

Generally, yes! However, any impairments or disabilities MUST be discussed with the Dive Team BEFORE booking. Every person is different, and Dive Immersion strives to make reasonable accommodations to ensure a positive and safe experience for all participants.

Please contact dive@georgiaaquarium.org so we can discuss available arrangements. Failure to do so could result in delay or cancellation of your program. 

All participants must be at least 12 years of age.  All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water.

•  EACH child 12-14 years old must be accompanied by a participating adult. There is a 1:1 child to adult ratio for children 12-14 years old.
• If one or more of the children are 15 years old or older, there can be one participating adult. There is a 1:7 child to adult ratio for children 15-17 years old.

Guests under the age of 18 must have the program liability waiver signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.

We encourage guests to pre-register. Spaces are limited to 8 participants per program and walk-ups can only be accommodated if there are spaces available that day.

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 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.

Yes. Proof of an autonomous Open Water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized agency must be provided.

Please note: The PADI “Scuba Diver” card is not an autonomous diver card and cannot be accepted.

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 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The exhibit houses thousands of fish, whale sharks, manta rays, and Tank, our green sea turtle.

The dive program is approximately 2.5 hours long, so please plan accordingly. The experience consists of a dive team member picking you up from the check-in desk, a brief tour of the top side of the Ocean Voyager exhibit, a safety briefing that highlights the animals of Ocean Voyager and a 30-minute guided scuba dive. A souvenir photo and a program t-shirt are included, and guests will have the option to view and purchase the video of their experience.

Participants can purchase professionally shot and edited HD video of the program experience. Additional t-shirts, hats, and reusable bags can also be purchased on-site.

Yes. There are eight slots per program and each slot must be purchased to ensure a private experience. Please contact our call center (404) 581-4000 for assistance with your booking.

Cameras are permitted on deck but not 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. A complimentary souvenir photo is provided and a video that highlights the program will be available for purchase.

We HIGHLY recommend you arrive at Georgia Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security, and check-in. Participants must check-in at least 30 minutes BEFORE their event at the Animal Interaction Desk on the second floor, located above the gift shop.  Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

The Aquarium offers two changing rooms, male and female, with open changing area and private shower stalls. We are aware of the limitations this infrastructure presents and recognize that not all guests conform to a binary system of gender. Our aquarium team is committed to making accommodations for any guest who requests additional privacy when changing and will make every effort do so with advance notice. At Georgia Aquarium, both employees and guests are welcome to use the restroom matching their gender identity.

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.

Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

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.

No. The swim is for observation only. Participants are not permitted to touch the animals.

Refunds are not offered, but a date may be changed free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of your visit.

If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date, a $50 change fee per ticket will be charged. Cancellations within 48 hours and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.

To change your reservation, please contact Georgia Aquarium’s Call Center at (404) 581-4000.

Reservations can be made online here or by calling (404) 581-4000. You will receive a confirmation email after purchase with an additional information packet and waivers required to participate in the program. Please be sure to review this information before arriving.

All participants must have the program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines signed and dated prior to participating. 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.

Yes. Three professional divers will be in the water with you at all times during the guided tour. Dive team members are certified in CPR, first aid, and in providing emergency oxygen.

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 and volunteers cannot offer care for any minors – they must be accompanied by an adult.

Participants must be able to dress themselves, swim themselves and climb a 3 ft vertical ladder in and out of the habitat. Swimmers who need help dressing themselves must provide their own assistance.

 Our swim vests can accommodate guests with a waist measuring 59.5 inches (151cm) or less AND weigh no more than 400lbs (181kg). Guests are not allowed to bring outside gear that allows them to exceed this size.

 Dive Immersion reserves the right to cancel any reservation due to concerns for the health or physical safety of participants. Please email dive@georgiaaquarium.org if there are concerns with these limitations before booking.

Generally, yes! However, any impairments or disabilities MUST be discussed with the Dive Team BEFORE booking. Every person is different, and Dive Immersion strives to make reasonable accommodations to ensure a positive and safe experience for all participants.

Please contact dive@georgiaaquarium.org so we can discuss available arrangements. Failure to do so could result in delay or cancellation of your program.

Guests are encouraged to pre-register. Spaces are limited to 8 participants per program and walk-ups can only be accommodated if there is space available.

You will need to bring your swimsuit. All equipment, comfortable changing rooms with showers, lockers and towels are supplied. Personal masks/snorkels are permitted but must be disinfected by staff prior to swimming. Please refrain from wearing jewelry, excessive makeup or hair products.

The exhibit contains 6.3 million gallons of water and ranges from 20 to 30 feet deep (6-9 m) with water temperature controlled at 76°F (24°C). This exhibit houses thousands of fish including whale sharks, zebra sharks, and several species of rays, just to name a few!

The experience is approximately 2.5 hours, so please plan accordingly. The experience consists of a dive team member picking you up from the desk, a brief tour of the top side of the Ocean Voyager exhibit, a safety briefing that highlights the animals of Ocean Voyager and a 30-minute guided swim. A souvenir photo and a program t-shirt are included, and guests will have the option to view and purchase the video of their experience.

All necessary equipment is included in the price of the Swim Program, including a flotation device, mask, snorkel, gloves, booties and wetsuit. Personal masks and snorkels are permitted but must be disinfected by staff prior to swim.

The program is offered daily at 4:30 p.m.

All participants must be at least 12 years of age.  All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water.

•  EACH child 12-14 years old must be accompanied by a participating adult. There is a 1:1 child to adult ratio for children 12-14 years old.
• If one or more of the children are 15 years old or older, there can be one participating adult. There is a 1:7 child to adult ratio for children 15-17 years old.

Guests under the age of 18 must have the program liability waiver signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

Georgia Aquarium is glad to offer a variety of branded apparel in our gift shops, however we do not sell Aquarium team member uniforms. For the safety of our guests, team and animals, it is important that we are always able to discern between members of the public and Georgia Aquarium staff and volunteers.

To provide an engaging, educational and inspirational experience by connecting our guests to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident marine animals to inspire stewardship in conservation, research and a greater appreciation for the animal world.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please be aware that to participate in this program, guests must be able to navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance, and must be able to understand and take direction in English from staff members. To ensure the best experience, please contact the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to make a reservation, and be sure to let the reservists know you have special needs. Someone from the program will contact you prior to your visit to review your options. Should you have special needs but not provide notice, it may not be possible to accommodate your program and you may be required to reschedule your experience.

The entire Penguin Encounter Program, including the animal experience, occurs behind the scenes and may not be viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the interactive areas.

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 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.

Please go to the Animal Interactions desk, located next to the Ocean Voyager Built by The Home Depot gallery, to check in at least 15 minutes prior to your Penguin Encounter.

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, located on the second floor across from the ray touch pool, to check in at least 15 minutes prior to your Penguin Encounter.

There can be up to 10 participants per scheduled program.

Minimum age is 7 years. All guests ages 16 and under must be accompanied during the program by a participating adult. All participants must be ticketed for the encounter. There is a maximum of 3 children per participating adult. 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.

You can make a reservation on this page, or by calling Georgia Aquarium Call Center at (404) 5814000. 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 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.

A photo I.D. Closed toe shoes are recommended, but not required. The area where you’ll have your personal penguin experience is kept cool and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space. Guests may not bring personal cameras to the penguin encounter program and will be required to set their loose belongings and phones in a designated area prior to the encounter.

Please note: for the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

Participants in the Penguin Encounter get an exclusive and up-close meeting with one of our resident African penguins. The level of interaction between the penguins and the program participants is variable and dependent upon the behavior of the individual animals, the conduct of the guests in the program, and the discretion of the animal trainer working with the penguin during the program. Our goal is to provide an engaging, interactive encounter experience for not only the guests participating, but for the penguins as well.

Participants in the Penguin Encounter get an exclusive and up close meeting with one of our resident African penguins. The level of interaction between the penguins and the program participants is variable and dependent upon the behavior of the individual animals, the conduct of the guests in the program, and the discretion of the animal trainers working with the penguin during the program. Our goal is to provide an engaging, interactive encounter experience for not only the guests participating, but for the penguins as well.

We HIGHLY recommend you arrive at Georgia Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security, and check-in. Participants must check-in at least 30 minutes BEFORE their event at the Animal Interaction Desk on the second floor, located above the gift shop.  Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Yes. Personal masks and snorkels are permitted but must be disinfected prior to your experience.

The Aquarium offers two changing rooms, male and female, with open changing area and private shower stalls. We are aware of the limitations this infrastructure presents and recognize that not all guests conform to a binary system of gender. Our aquarium team is committed to making accommodations for any guest who requests additional privacy when changing and will make every effort do so with advance notice. At Georgia Aquarium, both employees and guests are welcome to use the restroom matching their gender identity.

You can make a reservation by registering online or calling 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 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.

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.

Please go to the Animal Interactions desk, on the second floor next to the Ray Touch Pool to check in 30 minutes prior to your experience.

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 need to be at Ocean Voyager’s large gallery window between 12:45 and 1pm for the best opportunity to see the program participants.

We can accommodate wetsuit sizes and equipment sizes for people who weigh between 45 lbs and 320 lbs.

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.

We encourage guest to pre-register as there are a limited number of spaces available.

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.

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.

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 research and conservation efforts.

Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. Guests arriving late (after the required program check-in time) 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.

To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404-581-4000.

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.

A date may be changed free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of your visit. If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $50 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.

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. Proof of Open Water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization must be provided, along with photo identification.  Please note that guests must be physically able to climb a ladder in and out of the exhibit.

Program price includes all equipment, certificate of participation, exclusive t-shirt, and a souvenir photo of your experience. Does not include general admission.

No, though you must bring proof that you are SCUBA certified and we strongly recommend that rebreather participants are proficient divers who are interested in the technology of closed-circuit rebreathers and are confident using unfamiliar equipment.

Rebreather diving is underwater diving using rebreathers, which recirculate your air while breathing. The main advantages of rebreather diving are extended gas endurance, and lack of bubbles.

The hike is fairly easy to navigate and the terrain gently slopes. Please be aware that conditions may not be suitable for everyone.

• Minimum Age – 5 years old
• Maximum Age – There is none! Please note that there will hiking and other physical activities involved.

No, there is not a water fountain. We ask that all Scouts bring a water bottle and prefer that it is a reusable water bottle.

This program will run from 9:00am -12:00pm, approximately 3 hours.  

Yes, we can host up to a total of 90 adults and scouts. Parking is limited, so please plan accordingly.

There will be two staff members per group. We do require a minimum of one additional adult present from the group, such as a troop leader. And yes, you may join as long as you purchase a ticket!

No, there will be no food or drink provided. Scouts are encouraged to bring their own snack if needed and their own bottle of water.

No, parking is on a first come, first served basis and is open to the general public.

We have provided a map of Sope Creek! Parking is $5 if you choose to stay and hike while your Scout is there or if you are staying to participate in the program. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.

No, you can do one or both! For more information, visit Sleep Under the Sea.

We have attached a packing list for all parents and troop leaders! Be sure to look through the provided list and make sure your Scouts have everything they may need.

No, not necessarily. We do however require a 15 person minimum for these programs to run. This 15 does include both siblings and adults.

Yes, our staff at the site are merit badge counselors, are certified and able to give badges.

No, some of the badges require extra activities to be completed before or after the lesson. Additionally, Georgia Aquarium does not provide physical badges, but certificates of completion to collect badges.

All of the Georgia Aquarium staff are CPR and First Aid certified so they will be able to assess the injury and provide care, or call for outside care if needed.

Unfortunately there are no bathrooms on the trail. These lessons are to prepare scouts for future outdoor activities, which may involve using the bathroom in the wild. We encourage scouts to bring toilet paper/hand sanitizer and instructors will have trowels if needed.

No, however these programs are designed so that individuals are able to achieve a badge at the end! If you would like to have any special accommodations or add something to the program, feel free to let us know.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

To provide an engaging, educational and inspirational experience by connecting our guests to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident marine animals to inspire stewardship in conservation, research and a greater appreciation for the animal world. The program is an exploration behind the scenes and an in-depth look into Georgia Aquarium’s care of sea lions. The 30-minute program includes an educational orientation where participants learn about the biology, care, training and study of sea lions.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please be aware that to participate in this program, guests must be able to navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance and must be able to understand and take direction in English from staff members. To ensure the best experience, please contact the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to make a reservation and be sure to communicate that you have special needs. Someone from the program will contact you prior to your visit to review your options. Should you have special needs but not provide notice, it may not be possible to accommodate your program and you may be required to reschedule your program.

The entire Sea Lion Encounter Program, including the animal experience, occurs behind the scenes and may not be viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the interactive areas.

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 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. 

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 Sea Lion Encounter.

Minimum age is 7 years. All guests ages 16 and under must be accompanied during the program by a participating adult. All participants must be ticketed for the encounter. There is a maximum of 3 children per participating adult. 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.

Reservations are not required. However, we strongly encourage reservations to guarantee your experience as spaces are limited. Space is currently limited to eight participants per scheduled program.

You can make a reservation on this site, or 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 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.

A photo I.D., appropriate footwear and attire that can be splashed, and your sense of adventure! The sea lion habitat is cool and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space. Guests may not bring personal cameras into sea lion program areas.

Please note: for the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

The Sea Lion Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes. During your personal animal experience, you will go behind the scenes of the sea lion habitat, enjoy an educational presentation about sea lions, participate in a training session, and meet one of our resident sea lions.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

Children 3 years and older are able to participate in the program.  All guests 15 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult.  Limit 3 children 15 and under per participating adult.  All participants must be ticketed for the program.

Strollers are not allowed in the Sea Lion Theater.

Please see one of our guest services team members at our Guest Information Desk if you have children under the age of 3 or if you will need assistance with your strollers.

 All participants must wear a mask/facial covering during the program.

This program ticket, does NOT include General Admission. 

To provide an engaging, educational and inspirational experience by connecting our guests to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident marine animals to inspire stewardship in conservation, research and a greater appreciation for the animal world. The 15-minute program includes an educational orientation where participants learn about the biology, care, training and study of sea lions.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please be aware that to participate in this program and maintain proper social distancing guidelines, guests must be able to navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance and must be able to understand and take direction in English from staff members.

To ensure the best experience, please contact the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to make a reservation and be sure to communicate that you have special needs. Someone from the program will contact you prior to your visit to review your options. Should you have special needs but not provide notice, it may not be possible to accommodate your program and you may be required to reschedule your program.

The entire Sea Lion Up Close Program, including the animal experience, occurs behind closed doors in our Sea Lion Theater, and as a result is not viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the program.

Please check in at the Sea Lion Pier 225 Gallery at least 15 minutes prior to your Sea Lion Up Close Program.

A photo I.D., appropriate footwear and attire that can be splashed, and your sense of adventure! The sea lion theater is cool and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space. Guests may not use their personal cameras during the program until they are instructed by the animal team to take their selfie.  

Please note: for the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

The Sea Lion Up Close Program lasts approximately 15 minutes. During your experience, you will be escorted into the closed Sea Lion Theater, enjoy an educational presentation about sea lions, participate in an up close question and answer session, and meet one of our resident sea lions. You’ll also have the chance to take a selfie with the Sea Lion at the end of program. 

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

To provide an engaging, educational and inspirational experience by connecting our guests to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident marine animals to inspire stewardship in conservation, research and a greater appreciation for the animal world. The program is an exploration into the behind the scenes of the Cold Water Quest gallery and an in-depth look into Georgia Aquarium’s care of and conservation efforts with sea otters. The 40-minute program includes an educational orientation where participants learn about the biology, care, training and study of sea otters and Georgia Aquarium’s role in the conservation of this fascinating species.

For guests with special needs, every effort will be made to allow participation in our Encounter. Please be aware that to participate in this program, guests must be able to navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance. 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 Sea Otter Encounter Program, including the animal experience, occurs behind the scenes and may not be viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the interactive areas.

Cancellation and Date Change Policy:

• The program fee is non-refundable; however, the program will be rescheduled whenever possible. The Aquarium will reschedule your encounter if given notice more than 48 hours in advance. There will be a change fee of $20 per ticket if notice is given within 14 days of the original reservation date. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at (404) 581-4000. Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.
• Guests must check in at the Animal Interaction desk, located on the second floor, 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. 

Please Note: 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 Sea Otter Encounter.

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

• Must be 7+ to participate.
• Guests 15 years of age and under must come with a participating adult (3:1 child to adult ratio 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.

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

We strongly encourage guests to pre-register. Spaces are limited to 5 participants per scheduled program and walk-ups can only be accommodated if there are spaces available that day.

You can make a reservation on this site, or 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 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.

Please bring: 

• A photo I.D.
• Appropriate footwear and attire that can be splashed.
• The sea otter habitat is kept cool, and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space.

Guests may not bring personal cameras into sea otter program areas.

Please Note: For the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

The Sea Otter Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes. During your personal animal experience, you will go behind the scenes of the sea otter habitat in Cold Water Quest, enjoy an educational presentation about sea otters, help prepare a sea otter meal, participate in a training session, and meet one of our resident sea otters.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Please Note:

• Georgia Aquarium does not require that all guests wear masks during their programs; however, these animals can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses, and any participant managing respiratory issues (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) are asked to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during the encounter.
• Guests clearly symptomatic will be required to wear a mask through the duration of the program or be excused from the program. This is to ensure the safest environment for the animals, our staff, and fellow guests.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

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 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.

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.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please be aware that to participate in this program, guests must be able to navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance and must be able to understand and take direction in English from staff members. To ensure the best experience, please contact the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to make a reservation and be sure to communicate that you have special needs. Someone from the program will contact you prior to your visit to review your options. Should you have special needs but not provide notice, it may not be possible to accommodate your program and you may be required to reschedule your program.

To provide an engaging, educational and inspiration experience by connecting our guests to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident marine animals to inspire stewardship in conservation, research and a greater appreciation for the animal world. The program is an exploration into the behind the scenes of the Cold Water Quest gallery and an in-depth look into Georgia Aquarium’s care of seals. The 30-minute program includes an educational orientation where participants learn about the biology, care, training and study of seals.

The Seal Encounter lasts approximately 30 minutes. During your personal animal experience, you will go behind the scenes of the seal habitat in Cold Water Quest, enjoy an educational presentation about seals, participate in a training session, and meet one of our resident seals.

A photo I.D., appropriate footwear and attire that can be splashed, and your sense of adventure! The seal habitat is kept cool and guests should consider wearing attire that will keep them comfortable in an air-conditioned space. Guests may not bring personal cameras into seal program areas.

Please Note: For the safety of the animals, guests participating in the animal interaction may be required to remove jewelry and sunglasses prior to entering the animal spaces (prescription lenses worn for vision correction is an exception to this guideline).

Reservations are not required. However, we strongly encourage reservations to guarantee your experience as spaces are limited. Space is currently limited to eight participants per scheduled program.

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.

You can make a reservation online or 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 any 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 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.

Must be 7+ to participate. All guests 15 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult.  Limit 3 children 15 and under per participating adult.  All participants must be ticketed for the encounter. Parents or court appointed legal guardians must sign program liability waiver and animal interactive program guidelines for guests under 18.

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 Seal Encounter.

The entire Seal Encounter Program, including the animal experience, occurs behind the scenes and may not be viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the interactive areas.

You can complete the waiver using this link prior to your arrival for your encounter: Animal Interactive Waiver

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

The habitat is kept at about 76 degrees F. Guests will be provided Georgia Aquarium wetsuits similar to what our divers wear to ensure that the experience is comfortable.

To provide an engaging, educational, and inspirational experience by connecting our guests, in an interactive manner, to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident animals. The program is an exploration into the behind the scenes of the Sharks! Predators of the Deep gallery and an in-depth look into Georgia Aquarium’s research and conservation efforts with sharks and rays. The 90 minute program includes a classroom orientation where participants learn about the biology, care, training and study of these amazing animals and Georgia Aquarium’s role in shark and ray conservation.

The program lasts for approximately 90 minutes and includes an educational and engaging orientation on the biology, care, training, study, and conservation of different shark  and ray species; an exclusive behind the scenes look at the shark habitat; an immersive encounter experience, and presentation of a souvenir photograph.

The Shark and Ray Interaction is an immersive experience in Georgia Aquarium’s newest gallery. In addition to meeting age, height and weight requirements, guests must also possess a minimum level of physical dexterity. Participants do not swim freely with the sharks, but will enter the water with the animals. Comfort in and around water is necessary to ensure a safe and engaging experience.

All you will need to bring is a personal swimsuit. Appropriate personal swimwear is required to be worn beneath the suit. Georgia Aquarium will supply all equipment and a towel. Comfortable changing rooms with showers and lockers are provided.  We highly suggest you bring a small bag to carry your wet bathing suit after the experience.

While there is not technically a minimum age, all participants must be at least 48 inches tall and weigh less than or equal to 300 pounds. Each guest age 15 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult (one adult per minor required). All participants must be ticketed for the Interaction. Participants ages 17 and under must have a program liability waiver signed and dated by a parent or court appointed legal guardian.

The Shark and Ray Interaction occurs in the shark habitat, but in an area that is entirely behind the scenes. Only participants in the program will be taken to the behind the scenes areas.

There will be a Georgia Aquarium staff member with you for the duration of the program.

Please check in at the Animal Interactions desk, located on the second floor by the Ray Touch Pool, at least 15-30 minutes prior to your experience.

You can make a reservation online or calling 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 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.

The program fee is non-refundable; however, a date may be changed free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of your visit. If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $50 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. We encourage guests to arrive at the Aquarium with plenty of time to park, enter and check into the program. Please plan accordingly. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404-581-4000.

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.

Guests will have the opportunity to have an intimate, up-close experience with sharks and rays. There are a variety of activities that can take place at the discretion of the Aquarium staff while interacting with and even touching the animals. Participating in training techniques and feeding may be part of the experience if it is appropriate to do so based upon the discretion of the program staff. Each program is tailored to ensure a safe and engaging experience for both our animals and our guests. As a result, each program may be a little different.

Yes. There are four slots per program.

All necessary equipment and a wetsuit will be provided. Appropriate personal swimwear (bathing suit) is required to be worn beneath the suit.

We can accommodate guests at least 48 inches tall and up to 300 lbs. Guests MUST be able to change themselves into a wetsuit and navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance. Appropriate personal swimwear is required to be worn beneath the suit.

No. A souvenir photo will be provided to participating guests. Photos and video taken during the Shark and Ray Interaction are the property of Georgia Aquarium. We reserve the right to use any photos and video for promotional purposes. For the safety of the animals and quality of the program, photos and video may only be taken by Georgia Aquarium designates.

Yes. Walk-up tickets can be purchased at our Animal Interactions kiosk if available, but advance purchase is highly recommended.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please be aware that to participate in this program, guests MUST be able to change themselves into a wetsuit, navigate the animal habitat spaces with minimal assistance, and must be able to understand and take direction in English from staff members. To ensure the best experience, please contact the Call Center at 404.581.4000 to make a reservation, and be sure to let the reservists know you have special needs. Someone from the program will contact you prior to your visit to review your options.

Should you have special needs but not provide notice, it may NOT be possible to accommodate your program and you could be required to reschedule.

We HIGHLY recommend you arrive at Georgia Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security, and check-in. Participants must check-in at least 30 minutes BEFORE their event at the Animal Interaction Desk on the second floor, located above the gift shop.  Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program, so please arrive early.

Yes. Personal masks and snorkels are permitted but must be disinfected prior to your experience.

Due to the nature of the cage and full-face mask, this experience may be difficult for those who have a hard time with confined spaces. While we will always try to make reasonable accommodations for those who choose to participate, please be aware that the cage may feel crowded and the full face mask may feel overwhelming, especially for those who may suffer from claustrophobia.

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.

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.

We currently offer two cage programs a day for 8 guests per program. We run Wednesdays through Mondays at 10am and 3pm.

Guests will be given a wetsuit and booties to help keep them warm while in the water. Weight harnesses will be given to participants to keep them comfortable within the cage during the dive. Guests will also have the opportunity to use a full face diving mask, as seen on many underwater diving shows.

Guests in the cage will be fully submerged into the habitat. The cage will sit mid-water column as it moves through the habitat. For the safety and security of participants, the top 2 feet of our cage will remain out of the water.

Guests who do not fit in or are uncomfortable using the full face mask can request to be placed on a mask and snorkel.

Contrary to popular belief, sharks typically leave humans alone. The animals in our habitat are familiarized to divers and tend to leave them alone.

Dive staff will provide details on the usage of a full-face diving mask during their program briefing. Near-sighted guests who typically wear stronger prescription glasses should plan on wearing contacts. Guests with facial hair might experience slight leaking from the mask, so we suggest trimming or shaving of beards to ensure the most comfortable experience.

The Aquarium offers a co-ed locker room with private changing stalls to include all those who may not conform to a binary system of gender.

Georgia Aquarium makes every effort to accommodate guests with special considerations or needs. We have designed the locker room and cage platforms to meet ADA regulations. Please call to make a reservation and let the reservists know if you or someone in your group has specific needs. Someone will reach out to you prior to your visit to review your needs, mobility issues and equipment. While reasonable accommodations will be made if properly informed of any needs, if no notice is provided to staff prior to visit, it may NOT be possible to accommodate your program and you could be required to reschedule.

Sharks! Predators of the Deep® is a 185ft (56m) habitat that contains 1.2 million gallons of saltwater. The habitat has a depth of 20’ with rocky alcoves and a variety of unique and immersive viewing windows throughout. This habitat contains a number of shark species, including the incredible great hammerhead and sand tiger sharks.

This program was created to provide an engaging, educational, and inspirational experience by connecting our guests, in an immersive manner, to some of Georgia Aquarium’s most fascinating resident animals. With the intent of turning “fear” into “fascination,” this experience is an exploration into the behind-the-scenes of the Sharks! Predators of the Deep® gallery and an in-depth look into Georgia Aquarium’s research and conservation efforts with sharks and rays.

Guests are not required to be a certified diver to participate. However, we do suggest participants are comfortable in the water and be open to new experiences.

The program lasts for approximately two and a half hours and includes an educational orientation on the biology, care, training, study, and conservation of different shark species; an exclusive behind the scenes look at the shark habitat; an exciting cage dive experience, and will receive a digital photograph.

The Shark Cage Dive is an immersive experience, not an interactive one. Divers will not come into physical contact with any of the sharks within Georgia Aquarium’s newest gallery. Guests will enter and remain in a stainless-steel cage specifically designed for this experience while sharks swim around the submerged cage. The cage will move throughout the Sharks! Predators of the Deep® habitat so that guests get the best opportunities to view these amazing animals. For a more interactive experience, please check out the “Shark and Ray Immersion” program!

You will need to bring your swimsuit. All equipment, comfortable changing rooms with showers, lockers and towels are supplied. Please refrain from wearing jewelry, excessive makeup, or hair products. We highly suggest you bring a small bag to carry your wet bathing suit after the experience.

Guests are encouraged to pre-register. Spaces are limited to 8 participants per program and walk-ups can only be accommodated if there is space available.

All participants must be ages 12 and older. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult in the water. For guests 15 and under, each minor must have a participating adult (one adult per 15-and-under minor required). 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.

The immersive part of the Shark Cage Dive occurs in the shark habitat, and parts of it may be viewable by the public. Only participants in the program will be taken to the behind the scenes areas. Friends and family of the participants will be directed to the best opportunities to view those who are in the water.

Please check in at the Animal Interactions desk, at least 15-30 minutes prior to your experience. We highly recommend you arrive at the Aquarium at least 1 hour prior to allow time for parking, security, and check in. Please plan accordingly!

Participants will always be accompanied by a member of the Dive Immersion team. There will be upwards of 2 Georgia Aquarium dive staff member with you in the water at all times as well as a number of staff on the surface to provide additional support. All dive team members are certified in CPR, first aid, and in providing emergency oxygen.

Our Shark Cage Dive program is temporarily offsale while we assess program needs. Please take a look at our other Animal Interactives and Encounter programs found under the Animals & Exhibits menu to see what is available!

The program fee is non-refundable; however, a date may be changed free of charge if the change is made at least 14 days in advance of the original date of your visit. If the change is made less than 14 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $50 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.

No. Guests will have the opportunity to have an exciting, immersive cage dive experience in Georgia Aquarium’s shark gallery, but there is no animal contact during the cage dive. If you’d like to interact with zebra sharks, rays and other amazing creatures, check out the “Shark and Ray Immersion” program!

Yes. There are eight slots per program and each slot must be purchased to ensure a private experience.

We can accommodate wetsuit sizes and equipment sizes for people who weigh between 45 lbs and 360 lbs (20-163 kg). Participants must be able to dress themselves. Participants who may need help dressing themselves must provide their own assistance. The cage does have a carrying capacity that will be taken into account during the registration process – if there is an issue staff will reach out and contact you.

No. A souvenir photo will be provided to participating guests. Photos and video taken during the Shark Cage Dive are the property of Georgia Aquarium. We reserve the right to use any photos and video for promotional purposes. For the safety of the animals and quality of the program, photos and video may only be taken by Georgia Aquarium designates.

Showers are not available during our overnight events.

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.

Yes!  You can view or download a copy of the handbook here.  The link to this handbook is included in your confirmation email after you’ve purchased your sleepover.

Georgia Aquarium is glad to offer a variety of branded apparel in our gift shops, however we do not sell Aquarium team member uniforms. For the safety of our guests, team and animals, it is important that we are always able to discern between members of the public and Georgia Aquarium staff and volunteers.

As our guests, you will have the opportunity to sleep in front of one of our magnificent exhibits in galleries such as:

·  Ocean Voyager built by The Home Depot

·  Tropical Diver Gallery

·  Cold Water Quest Gallery

·  Southern Company River Scout

·  Sharks! Predators of the Deep Gallery

We cannot guarantee sleeping locations. Assignments are made after all guests have checked in, and are based upon the group make-up, size and needs. Additionally, partial or entire galleries may be unavailable due to other activities and/or animal care taking place.

Minimum age requirement for sleepovers, unless otherwise specified (i.e. middle school, adult) is 7 years old. Any guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult of 21 years of age or older. Adult sleepovers have a minimum age of 21+.

All sleepovers must be reserved and paid in full at least 30 days before the desired sleepover date.

Sleepovers sell out fast! We encourage all guests to make reservations at least one month in advance.

Please be advised that all Sleepovers WILL NOT include dinner but will include a bedtime snack and a breakfast option. Café Aquaria will be open until Monday-Thursday until 5 PM, and Friday-Sunday from 10-7 PM for guests wishing to purchase food before their sleepover. Large groups are encouraged to plan ahead and purchase café vouchers in advance for $13 each.

• 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.

Proof of open water SCUBA certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization; completed forms.

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.

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.

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.

Please be advised that the use of visual stimuli, including flashing lights or patterns, theatrical fog, and lighting effects along with loud music are in use on this property. If you have health problems that could be affected by these types of conditions, please take that into consideration before participating.

This new, innovative experience uses high-tech head mounted displays to connect users directly with content inside a three-dimensional space. Rather than simply watching a movie, users can change their perspective, explore and have their own unique experience tailored to their head movement. It is as though they are right inside the diver’s mask! While the VR displays mimic the immersive visuals of the real world, the VR Transporter’s motion platform and effects technology reconfirm what the users are seeing by providing inputs to their other senses. It takes virtual reality to a whole new level!

No.  Guests will not be able to touch a penguin during the Waddle Walk.  If you are interested in getting even closer to a Penguin, please take a look at our Penguin Encounter.

About 10 minutes.

Please email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org

All tickets include Aquarium admission, all available shows, and all available animal galleries. Shows are subject to availability and are on a first come, first served basis. Show times are subject to change without notice. For current show times, click here. Remember: Georgia Aquarium is located in the Eastern Time Zone. Please plan accordingly.

If your group needs to purchase pre-paid bus parking, you may do so through the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard. Click here for information on how to purchase.

We understand that many groups travel with pre-packaged lunches and coolers. Please note, Georgia Aquarium does not allow any outside food and drink into our facility. Additionally, we are unable to store lunches or coolers during your visit.

Please make arrangements prior to your visit to Georgia Aquarium if your group is traveling with pre-packaged lunches or ask us about purchasing group lunches from our onsite cafe, Cafe Aquaria.

Share this important information with parents and fellow teachers using our Field Trip Guide! Click here to download this year’s field trip guide and share it with all adults accompanying your group.

If you have not done so already, please contact our office at groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org to finalize your numbers and make your final payment.

• Food & Drink policy: No outside food or beverages are permitted in the aquarium with the exception of small snacks for children or visitors with food allergies.  The aquarium has several water bottle filling stations, we encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle for your visit.
• Strollers:  Strollers are allowed at Georgia Aquarium, but for the best experience for you and all guests we recommend leaving them at home. If you choose to bring a stroller on your next visit, we ask that you follow our stroller policy guidelines to ensure guests of all ages have an enjoyable and safe visit. For additional questions regarding the stroller policy and exemptions, please contact 404.581.4000 or hospitality@georgiaaquarium.org ahead of your visit. 
  • Strollers cannot be larger than 29” (72 cm) in width and 52” (132 cm) in length.
  • Wagons, wagon strollers, push cars, jogging strollers and ride-ons are not permitted in order to ensure guests of all ages and abilities can maneuver through the Aquarium safely. 
  • Guests that need to utilize specialty strollers or wagons for medical or sensory purposes are exempt from this policy. 
• Cameras:  Cameras are permitted in the Aquarium for personal use ONLY. The use of flash is prohibited in the presence of some animals. Please refrain from taking photos in our sea lion and dolphin presentations. Commercial or professional photos and video are prohibited unless expressly approved. Professional-grade equipment including but not limited to, tripods, monopods, lighting, flashes, microphones, and detachable lenses, are prohibited.
• Lost & Found:  If you lose an item during your visit, please inquire at the Information Desk before you leave. If you discover you’ve left something behind, call 404.581.4000 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to see if it has been turned in. Report Lost Item
• First Aid:  Piedmont Hospital provides staffing for a full first-aid station, located in the restroom hallway between Ocean Voyager and Tropical Diver.
• Nursing Mothers:  We have a private nursing/pumping room available for mothers on our second floor.
• Weapons Policy: Georgia Aquarium has established – and strictly enforces – a “No Weapons” policy. Weapons include (but are not limited to) firearms and knives. This policy was created to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all guests, and to eliminate a potential risk to guests, staff and/or animals. This policy was created based on the findings of a comprehensive threat assessment conducted by Georgia Aquarium. With more than two million guests visiting our facility each year, and thousands of aquatic animals living in 10 million gallons of water behind acrylic, we cannot put ourselves at risk of either an intentional or accidental discharge of a weapon within our facility. Signage has been placed on our property stating that firearms are not permitted. Enforcing this policy and ensuring the safety of aquarium guests and team members is Georgia Aquarium’s 24-hour security staff, which is supplemented by two off-duty Atlanta Police Officers.
• General Admission Tickets Include: Aquarium admission, all available shows and all available animal galleries. To attend a presentation, you must make a reservation the day of your visit. Show times are subject to change without notice. Check our daily schedule for current show times. Reminder: Georgia Aquarium is located in the Eastern Time Zone. Please plan accordingly.
  • To reserve your seats for the dolphin presentation, click here on the day of your visit.
  • To reserve your seats for the Sea Lion Presentation, click here on the day of your visit.
• Lockers: We do not have lockers or coat/bag check services available.  You will need to carry anything you bring into the aquarium for the duration of your visit.

• Hours of operation vary daily; please check our calendar before your visit.
• Purchase tickets online to save money. Choose the date and time of your arrival, and arrive within an hour of your selected time.
• Plan your day ahead of time by downloading our mobile app on the iTunes App Store or the Google Play store and browse our Daily Schedule to view times for our dolphin presentation and our Under the Boardwalk sea lion presentation, gallery features and more.
• Guests typically spend 2-4 hours at the Aquarium, but you’re free to explore as long as you wish during your visit.
• Weekends are our busiest times, so be sure to arrive early.
• We offer daily military discounts of 10% with a valid military ID, and free admission for active military through our Military Mondays program.
• Visiting several Atlanta attractions? Save 44% off admission to Atlanta’s top 5 attractions, with Atlanta CityPASS. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. Buy CityPASS online for immediate, paperless delivery to your mobile device. Learn more.

Georgia Aquarium is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for every guest that comes through our doors. Our team members will always work to support an environment where someone’s visit will not be disrupted by the behavior or actions of other guests. Aquarium team members should be treated with respect at all times. Guests who violate this code of conduct will be required to leave the Aquarium immediately. Our security staff reserves the right to remove, without refund, any and all ticket holders who act inappropriately or behave in a way that makes others uncomfortable.

Georgia Aquarium Code of Conduct:

• Guests will be treated courteously by all Aquarium team members.
• Guests will treat Aquarium team members courteously.
• Guests wearing clothing with obscenities printed on them will not be permitted into the Aquarium.
• Guest dressed in sexually explicit or revealing clothing will not be permitted into the Aquarium.
• Shirts and footwear are required.
• Unauthorized signage is not permitted in the Aquarium.
• Disruptive behavior, damaging property, foul or abusive language, obscene gestures, harassing or aggressive behavior is not permitted in the Aquarium.
• Stealing is prohibited.
• Weapons are prohibited.
• Unauthorized use or resale of tickets is prohibited.
• Guests are to follow all Aquarium policies and directions given by Aquarium team members at all times.
• Guests engaging in fighting, throwing objects or attempting to enter unauthorized areas will be removed immediately from the property without refund.
• Guests will remain in authorized guest areas and never impede other guests or block nearby exits, aisles or exhibits.
• Guests will provide their tickets when requested by Aquarium team members.
• Smoking/vaping is prohibited in the Aquarium.
• Guests consuming alcoholic beverages should do so responsibly. Guests becoming overly intoxicated, participating in or contributing to underage drinking will be escorted from the Aquarium without refund.
• Guests will comply with team members in emergency response procedures.
• Guests with complaints should communicate respectfully with team members regarding any issues or concerns.

Guests who violate the code of conduct or engage in any other behavior that may be deemed by Georgia Aquarium team members to be inappropriate, harassing or threatening may be removed without refund. Behavior which may adversely impact the safety of people, animals or property will be removed from the property and may be subject to arrest.

• Our dolphin and sea lion presentations are seated on a first-come, first-served basis using our reservation system. Reservations can be made on the day of your visit, and links are provided with your general admission tickets. We recommend getting in line at least 15-30 minutes before showtime. View times for these presentations on our Daily Schedule.
• For updated daily events, check with our Information Desk when you arrive or download our mobile app on the iTunes App Store or the Google Play store and browse our Daily Schedule.
• In an effort to conserve paper, Georgia Aquarium no longer prints maps. We encourage our guests to download our mobile app on the iTunes App Store or the Google Play store and to access a map of the Aquarium.

All guests are required to purchase a general admission ticket for entry to Georgia Aquarium.  The Gift Shop inside the Aquarium does not allow guests to just visit the gift shop without being granted admission to the Aquarium.  Our online Gift Shop is accessible 24 hours a day through this link.

Showtime Pictures snaps photos as you enter the aquarium and during animal encounters. As you leave the aquarium, you will see our custom photo kiosks in the gift shop where you can view and print your pictures immediately. To order, or view them online please follow this link: https://mygeorgiaaquarium.com/mygallery/  

Choose from a selection of our preferred hotel partners close to Georgia Aquarium. Explore our specially crafted packages to make your trip, staycation or visit to Atlanta an amazing one.

Learn More

Georgia Aquarium is glad to offer a variety of branded apparel in our gift shops, however we do not sell Aquarium team member uniforms. For the safety of our guests, team and animals, it is important that we are always able to discern between members of the public and Georgia Aquarium staff and volunteers.

Thank you for your recent visit, and we are sorry to hear that you may have left some items behind. We ask that you please follow the link below, to provide us all the details of what we will be looking for. Upon submission of your lost item report, you will receive further instructions.

Report Lost Item

Upon submission of your lost item report, you will receive further instructions.

Lost & Found Software Provided By Chargerback

Conveniently located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium is within walking distance of numerous downtown hotels. Use the group rates hotel inquiry form for more information.

Georgia Aquarium Group Sales can offer group rates based on group minimums listed above:

You can make a group reservation through the Georgia Aquarium Group Sales Office. Please submit a request for a reservation packet or email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org. After returning a reservation form and non-refundable deposit, we will make a reservation for you and send you an invoice for your balance via e-mail. Please note that all group reservations must be made in advance and require payment in full before your group arrives.

For the safety of our animals, guests and team members, all guests 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.

Absolutely not! When making an initial reservation, we just need to know your tentative numbers. We understand that you will most likely need to collect money from everyone in your group and you probably don’t have commitments from everyone in your group as of yet. We do not need to know your final numbers and need your final payment until later. The final visitor headcount and payment due dates are as follows:

• General Admission/Combo Passes – Due 2 weeks prior to visit
• Education General Admission – Due 2 weeks prior to visit
• Education Instructor-led Program – Due 2 weeks prior to visit
• Journey with the Gentle Giants Dive – Due 1 month prior to visit
• Overnight/Sleepover Program – Due 1 month prior to visit

All ticket orders and reservations made through the Group Sales office must be paid for in advance in order to take advantage of the special pricing and perks. Final payments (and final visitor headcount) are due as follows:

• General Admission/Combo Passes –– Due 2 weeks prior to visit
• Education General Admission –– Due 2 weeks prior to visit 
• Education, Instructor-led Program –– Due 2 weeks prior to visit
• Journey with the Gentle Giants Dive –– Due 1 month prior to visit
• Overnight/Sleepover Program –– Due 1 month prior to visit

Definitely! Once you return your reservation form, you will receive an invoice showing your confirmation number and balance. You will also receive an updated invoice after each payment or change to your reservation is made. When contacting Georgia Aquarium Group Sales, please reference your confirmation number for faster service.

Georgia Aquarium has established – and strictly enforces – a “No Weapons” policy that applies to all of our guests. Weapons include (but are not limited to) firearms and knives. This policy was created to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all guests, and to eliminate a potential risk to guests, staff and/or animals. This policy was created based on the findings of a comprehensive threat assessment conducted by Georgia Aquarium. With more than two million guests visiting our facility each year, and thousands of aquatic animals living in 10 million gallons of water behind acrylic, we cannot put ourselves at risk of either an intentional or accidental discharge of a weapon within our facility. Signage has been placed on our property stating that firearms are not permitted. Enforcing this policy and ensuring the safety of aquarium guests and team members is Georgia Aquarium’s 24-hour security staff.

The official Georgia Aquarium parking deck operates 1,600 safe, secure and well-lit spaces attached to Georgia Aquarium. Covered and rooftop parking is available. You can pay for parking in advance online; just print and bring your pre-paid parking ticket with you to enter the parking deck. You’ll be asked to re-scan your ticket in order to exit the parking deck after your visit. There is no re-entry allowed on pre-paid parking.

If you’re driving and planning to park onsite, use the following street address for a direct route to Georgia Aquarium parking: 357 Luckie Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30313.

The official Georgia Aquarium Parking deck is accessible via our entrances on Luckie Street or Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.

Please note: After you have parked, follow the signage onsite to the main entrance.  You will see overhead sings and painted markings on the ground leading you the elevators to the main entrance.

There is very limited oversized vehicle parking available in our parking deck.  Oversized vehicles will need to access the parking deck using the Ivan Allen Entrance, and see an attendant for access to the limited oversized vehicle parking spaces.  We cannot guarantee access to the oversized vehicle parking spaces.

Our parking deck has vehicle height restrictions:

• Luckie Street entrance#1 – 6’8”
• Luckie Street Entrance #2 – 6’8”
• Ramp to All Levels – 6’8″
• Ivan Allen entrance – 8’2” ( pre-paid parking is not available for vehicles over 6’8″. Very limited parking for vehicles over 6’8″ )

For your convenience, you can pay for parking in advance online. You will need to print and bring your pre-paid parking ticket with you in order to enter the parking deck. You will be asked to re-scan your ticket in order to exit the parking deck after your visit. There is no re-entry allowed on pre-paid parking.

Georgia Aquarium parking passes are valid ONLY for the Georgia Aquarium parking deck, located at 357 Luckie Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30313. These passes are NOT valid for the World of Coca-Cola parking deck.

There is very limited oversized vehicle parking available in our parking deck.  Oversized vehicles will need to access the parking deck using the Ivan Allen Entrance, and see an attendant for access to the limited oversized vehicle parking spaces.  We cannot guarantee access to the oversized vehicle parking spaces.

• Luckie Street entrance#1 – 6’8”
• Luckie Street Entrance #2 – 6’8”
• Ramp to All Levels – 6’8″
• Ivan Allen entrance – 8’2” ( pre-paid parking is not available for vehicles over 6’8″. Very limited parking for vehicles over 6’8″ )

If you have not done so already, please contact our office at groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org to finalize your numbers and make your final payment.

We understand that many groups travel with pre-packaged lunches and coolers. Please note, Georgia Aquarium does not allow any outside food and drink into our facility. Additionally, we are unable to store lunches or coolers during your visit.

Please make arrangements prior to your visit to Georgia Aquarium if your group is traveling with pre-packaged lunches or ask us about purchasing group lunches from our onsite cafe, Cafe Aquaria.

If your group needs to purchase pre-paid bus parking, you may do so through the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard. Click here for information on how to purchase.

All tickets include Aquarium admission, all available shows, and all available animal galleries. Shows are subject to availability and are on a first come, first served basis. Show times are subject to change without notice. For current show times, click here. Remember: Georgia Aquarium is located in the Eastern Time Zone. Please plan accordingly.

Please check-in for your Animal Encounter experience no later than 15 minutes prior to the encounter. Late check-ins are subject to a shortened and revised version of their program due to timing or a cancellation altogether. The check-in location is at the entrance to the Ocean Voyager gallery at the Animal Interactions kiosk.

Please check in for your Behind-The-Seas experience no later than 15 minutes prior to the tour. Late check-ins are subject to a shortened and revised version of their program due to timing or cancellation altogether. The check-in location is next to the Ray Touch Pool and to the left on the second level of the aquarium.

Please email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org

There is very limited oversized vehicle parking available in our parking deck.  Oversized vehicles will need to access the parking deck using the Ivan Allen Entrance, and see an attendant for access to the limited oversized vehicle parking spaces.  We cannot guarantee access to the oversized vehicle parking spaces.

• Luckie Street entrance#1 – 6’8”
• Luckie Street Entrance #2 – 6’8”
• Ramp to All Levels – 6’8″
• Ivan Allen entrance – 8’2” ( pre-paid parking is not available for vehicles over 6’8″. Very limited parking for vehicles over 6’8″ )

Showers are not available during our overnight events.

Yes!  You can view or download a copy of the handbook here.  The link to this handbook is included in your confirmation email after you’ve purchased your sleepover.

Please email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org

If your group needs to purchase pre-paid bus parking, you may do so through the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard. Click here for information on how to purchase.

If you have not done so already, please contact our office at groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org to finalize your numbers and make your final payment. Final payment for all sleepover groups is 30 days prior to the overnight date.

Buses park in the Georgia World Congress Center Marshaling Yard. Information on how to purchase bus parking will be included in acceptance letters.

Unfortunately, we are unable to allow outside food or drink into the facility, and we are unable to store any lunches or coolers you have so plan ahead! There are multiple areas to picnic near Georgia Aquarium, and we have meal options available for our group to purchase in advance.

You can visit during the school year, during the school week – January through May.
To have the best experience and for the best availability, keep the following in mind:

• Try to come on a Monday or Tuesday
• Avoid arriving around 9:30am or 10:00am

Your group will receive a certain number of complimentary adults based on the number of students your group has been approved for. Please note, if your student count decreases, your adult count will also decrease. Please see below for add on pricing:

• Parking Deck Pre-Paid Parking: $10.00 per vehicle
• Bus Parking: $28.29 per bus (blackout dates apply)
• Additional Adults: $30.99 plus tax

Step 1: Add us to your email address book. If you are accepted, a confirmation email will be sent to you from tickets@georgiaaquarium.org. Add this email address to your email address book now so that you don’t miss any important information!

Step 2: Fill out the application. Please fill out the application in its entirety. Please only submit the application once. Multiple applications may delay your acceptance. No phone calls. Please note, applications may take up to 4 weeks to be reviewed.

Step 3: Watch your e-mail! Letters of acceptance are e-mailed to the e-mail address provided on your application. This letter will include contact information, instructions on what to do when you arrive, etc.

Step 4: Confirm your visit! You will receive a Visit Confirmation email 6 weeks prior to your visit date. Please confirm your scheduled date by responding directly to the email.

Step 5: Update your numbers. Two weeks before your visit, please either e-mail or give us a call to update your count with us so we are prepared with the correct number of staff members to welcome your group.

We understand that many groups travel with pre-packaged lunches and coolers. Please note, Georgia Aquarium does not allow any outside food and drink into our facility. Additionally, we are unable to store lunches or coolers during your visit. Please make arrangements prior to your visit to Georgia Aquarium if your group is traveling with pre-packaged lunches.

NEW THIS YEAR! SEA groups can now purchase lunches at a reduced rate! For more information, please email sea@georgiaaquarium.org.

If you have not done so already, please contact our office at sea@georgiaaquarium.org to give us your final student count.

Your confirmation email will contain information on how many adult tickets your group will receive. If you need to purchase additional adult tickets, please reference your confirmation email for instructions on how to make that purchase.

You can participate in an outreach program by Georgia Aquarium during the school year, during the school week, August through May on Tuesdays and Thursday only.

We accept applications on a rolling basis and do our best to send confirmation emails as quickly as possible. Applications may take up to 4 weeks to be reviewed. We thank you in advance for your patience!

The SOP grant is available for:

Title 1 Schools

• School must be in the State of Georgia
• Within 50 miles of Georgia Aquarium
• At least 60% of the student population served must receive free or reduced lunch

Please note:

• If you submit a reservation form for a paid outreach program, you will be disqualified from receiving the SOP grant.
• There is a maximum of 150 students per visit.
• There is a maximum of 2 visits per school.
• Limit 1 application per educator.

Step 1: Add us to your email address book. If you are accepted, a confirmation email will be sent to you from tickets@georgiaaquarium.org. Add this email address to your email address book now so that you don’t miss any important information!

Step 2: Fill out the application. Please fill out the application in its entirety. Please only submit the application once. Multiple applications may delay your acceptance. No phone calls. If you’d like to check on the status of your application, please e-mail sea@georgiaaquarium.org. Please note, applications may take up to 4 weeks to be reviewed.

Step 3: Watch your e-mail! Letters of acceptance are e-mailed to the e-mail address provided on your application. This letter will include contact information, instructions on what to do when you arrive, etc.

Step 4: Confirm your visit! You will receive a Visit Confirmation email 6 weeks prior to your program date. Please confirm your scheduled date by responding directly to the email or by emailing sea@georgiaaquarium.org.

Step 5: Update your numbers. Two weeks before your program, please e-mail to update your student count with us so we are prepared with the correct number of staff members.

Yes you can! Please add comments to the Request Form or email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org for more information.

Georgia Aquarium has partnered with Create Labs to offer a virtual platform that is easy to use! All you’ll need to do is share the platform screen with your classroom. For Virtual Outreach, you will need Zoom access.

We do not offer any refunds on virtual program purchases, but we can always reschedule your date if you let us know ahead of time. If you are a no call/no show for your virtual program, we may not be able to reschedule.

Once your virtual program is paid in full, you will receive further information from either the Group Sales or Education Team two weeks prior to your scheduled program date.

Of course! Once you return your reservation form and it is processed in our system, you will receive an invoice/receipt showing your confirmation number, balance and additional information pertaining to your virtual program. When contacting Georgia Aquarium Group Sales, please reference your confirmation number for faster service.

All reservations must be paid in full before receiving information on how to access your virtual program.

To make a reservation, please submit a request form for a virtual reservation packet located at the right side of the screen or email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org. After returning a reservation form and payment, we will process your reservation and send an invoice/receipt through email. Please note, that all virtual programs must be made in advance and require full payment before we can send login information to attend your virtual program.

Your virtual field trip is pre-recorded by a knowledgeable Georgia Aquarium education team member. Currently, we do not have a live experience; however, we are hoping to be able to offer this soon.

If you miss your scheduled virtual experience, please email groupsales@georgiaaquarium.org.

Georgia Aquarium Virtual Experiences are meant to mimic the experience you would have if you were at Georgia Aquarium. We want you to have an immersive and uninterrupted experience with us, therefore features such as pause, fast forward, and rewind are not available.

After selecting the date and time of your virtual field trip, you will receive a registration link from the Georgia Aquarium Virtual Experience Team that can be shared with your students, administrators, etc. Then, everyone attending the virtual field trip will need to register for the experience through that link, in advance. Don’t forget to register yourself!