Georgia Aquarium Exhibits

Aquanaut Adventure

This exhibit will help you understand how aquatic life survives in extreme environments. Explore marine and freshwater habitats and understand what it takes to build a career in the aquatic and marine sciences. After a stroll around this exhibit, you will have a deeper appreciation for the oceans, lakes, and rivers, and a basic understanding of how the animals thrive there.

Species here: Wood Frog, American Alligator, Horseshoe Crab, Yellowhead Jawfish, Sea Stars, Baja Blue Rock Lizard

Cold Water Quest

Cold Water Quest takes you to some of the coldest regions on Earth, where you’ll meet animals from icy waters. Crawl through a tunnel with pop-up windows to get an up-close view of sea otters, African Penguins, and other cold-water creatures. Watch trainers work with sea otters and learn about marine conservation efforts for beluga whales.

Species here: African Penguin, Beluga Whale, Southern Sea Otter, Rainbow Sea Star, Purple Sea Urchin, Garibaldi

Ocean Voyager

Ocean Voyager is Georgia Aquarium’s largest exhibit, home to whale sharks—the largest fish in the world. Walk through a 100-foot-long underwater tunnel and experience a 360-degree view of these majestic creatures and other sea life. With the world’s largest viewing windows, you’ll have a unique perspective as marine animals swim all around you.

Species here: Whale Sharks, Blacktip Reef Shark, Cownose Ray, Goliath Grouper, Green Sea Turtle, Manta Ray, Roughtail Stingray

SHARKS! Predators of the Deep

Step into the world of sharks at one of North America’s largest shark exhibits. Learn how these apex predators keep the ocean ecosystem in balance. For a truly thrilling experience, interact with the sharks through a diving cage or wade with zebra sharks and rays in the wading pool.

Species here: Sand Tiger Shark, Tiger Shark, Silvertip Shark, and Great Hammerhead Shark.

Dolphin Coast

Get to know the common bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Coast, the second-largest exhibit in the aquarium. With 13 dolphins to watch, you can enjoy their playful antics from the gallery or at the live Dolphin Show. The show includes training demonstrations and fun facts that will deepen your understanding of these intelligent creatures.

Species here: Bottlenose Dolphins

River Scout

River Scout is the aquarium’s only freshwater exhibit, featuring animals from rivers across North America, Asia, Africa, and South America. Explore the diverse ecosystems of freshwater habitats and learn how important it is to protect these waters for the animals that call them home.

Species here: Alligator Snapping Turtles, Asian Small-Clawed Otter, Black Spot Piranha, Banded Archerfish

Tropical Diver

Tropical Diver transports you to a vibrant coral reef, where thousands of colorful fish and living corals thrive. With 164,000 gallons of water and Indo-Pacific species, this exhibit offers a relaxing end to your aquarium visit. Watch as garden eels peek out of the sand and enjoy the beauty of living coral gardens.

Species here: Splendid Garden Eel, Spotted Garden Eel, Pink Skunk Clownfish, Big-Bellied Seahorse, Fairy Basslets.

Truist Pier 225

Meet the charming California Sea Lions in the Truist Pier 225 exhibit of Georgia Aquarium. In this exhibit, you can see these animals up close and watch the trainers interact with these pinnipeds. You also learn about the dangers of their natural environment along with environmental factors that tend to have a huge impact on them. You can also join the scheduled presentations – Under the Boardwalk – to learn more about these adorable creatures.

Species here: California Sea Lions

Explorers Cove

Explorers Cove offers an interactive journey through three distinct coastal biomes: an estuary, a salt marsh, and the coastal ocean. This gallery features two expansive touch pools where you can engage with rays and sturgeon up close. A dedicated salt marsh environment provides an opportunity to explore wetland ecosystems, while an immersive digital experience allows you to create and interact with virtual marine species on a giant video wall.

Species here: Cownose Ray, Lake Sturgeon

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Aquarium exhibits

Can you touch any animals at Georgia Aquarium?

Yes, you can interact with marine life in designated touch pools. Explorers Cove has touch pools for rays and sturgeon.

Is there a behind-the-scenes tour for any exhibits?

Yes, Georgia Aquarium offers behind-the-scenes tours for several exhibits, including Cold Water Quest, where you interact with sea otters. There are also animal encounters with dolphins, sea lions, and penguins.

Are the animals in the exhibits part of conservation programs?

Many of the animals at Georgia Aquarium are part of global conservation and research efforts. Quick fact on Georgia Aquarium - the aquarium works to protect whale sharks and rehabilitate rescued sea turtles. The beluga whales and African penguins are also part of breeding programs to help sustain wild populations.

What is the best time to visit each exhibit?

Mornings tend to be less crowded, making it easier to explore the exhibits at your own pace. If you want to catch feeding times or training demonstrations, check the daily schedule when you arrive.

Are there any exhibits specifically designed for kids?

Yes, Aquanaut Adventure is designed for kids, offering interactive exhibits and activities that teach about marine science and conservation. Explorers Cove also has hands-on experiences like digital animal creation and interactive touch pools.