Swim with Whale Sharks for $200 in Atlanta, GA

bravesirrobin (33)in #travel • 7 years ago

Despite this picture showing a videographer looking like she's about to loose her leg right next to me, this is a safe tank (Largest tank in the Western Hemisphere). Swim or dive with Rays, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks and more.

People hanging out in the viewing rooms can watch and wave.

Some people were coming everyday, hoping to see Merris give birth.

When we went the regular cost of admission ($36) was included with the excursion ticket; you go later in the day. Early enough to see the exhibits, but late enough that the staff can work with a small group of divers/swimmers to get in the big tank at the end of the day.

Some of the exhibits are much better than others. The dolphin show was great for kids, and for teens they have feeding shows.

Some animals you can see up close.

So far, this has been one of our favorite excursions based on what they offer for the price. We chose Atlanta for this trip, primarily to have this experience and would strongly recommend it to anyone. Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the world, but wont harm you and the reef sharks are young. They have 2 divers and a videographer underwater with you keeping everyone safe. It is truly a lot of fun. Amanda got smacked in the leg by a whale's tail.

After your swim, they have showers and changing rooms for you to clean up and keep the adventure going. The pics of us in the water were taken with our camera by a lovely volunteer at the aquarium from the tunnels at the bottom of the tank. When we signed up, she asked if we had family with us to take pics, then offered to help, Thank you! They give you a T-shirt and let you buy a video of the experience ($20 I think).

The Georgia Aquarium is at Pemberton Place in Atlanta.

A word of warning when leaving, know the exact name of your train station. There are multiple choices for the cab drivers. Really, you should just follow the advice on the sign and Do Not Enter the train station. We have to try everything once, and this sucked. Running late from the aquarium we resigned to eating on the train (we were overnight to DC), but the train was delayed two hours and the dinning cab closed by the time we boarded. It was a hungry night.