Experience
Journey with Gentle Giants is the only opportunity in the world where you are guaranteed to dive with whale sharks, manta rays and thousands of other fish. Suit up to SCUBA dive in the pristine waters of the Ocean Voyager exhibit for a once in a lifetime experience.
Please Note: Dive Immersion does not maintain a waitlist for programming nor can it add additional participants for any reason.
Please check back here for the most up-to-date availability.
Proof of autonomous Open Water SCUBA certification from a recognized organization is required
Must be 12+ years old to participate. All guests 18 years of age and younger must come with a participating adult.
People of all abilities can participate in this program. Please contact the dive team at dive@georgiaaquarium.org to ensure we can accommodate you.
Our professional divers are with you at all times to answer questions, ensure your safety, and guide you around the exhibit.
You bring your excitement, and we will supply everything you need during and after your dive.
A souvenir photo and exclusive t-shirt will remind you of this rare experience for years to come.
Our team of dive professionals will pick you up from the desk, give you a dive briefing, and fully prepare you for your experience. All gear is set up, thoroughly checked, and broken down for you. This is a truly VIP experience.
The manta rays are very playful and love to come over and swoop right above your head! It's also fun to go over the tunnel and up to the window and interact with the people since you have become part of the exhibit... It's such a unique experience.
Sal42 from Cleveland TripAdvisor.com
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.
Guests under the age of 18 must have the program liability waiver signed and dated by their parent or court appointed legal guardian.
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.
Yes. Proof of an autonomous Open Water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized agency must be provided.
Please note: Try Scuba or Discovery Cards (IE: PADI “Scuba Diver,” SSI “Basic Diver,” etc.) are not autonomous diver certifications and cannot be accepted.
We welcome certified autonomous divers of all experience levels. If you have not been diving in a while, we suggest heading to your local dive shop for a skills-refresher course before participating.
We recommend arriving at the aquarium at least an hour prior to your event time to allow enough time for parking and security. Check-in is 30 minutes before program start time. Late arrivals will not be able to participate in the program.
You must be a certified Open Water diver to participate in the scuba program. Georgia Aquarium offers a swim program to those who are not certified.
Any impairments or disabilities must be discussed with the Dive Team before booking. Every person is different, and Dive Immersion strives to accommodate people of all abilities while ensuring 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.
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.
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.
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. There are eight slots per program and each slot must be purchased to ensure a private experience. Please call (404) 581-4000 for assistance.
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.
Please Note: Personal masks and dive computers are permitted but must be disinfected by staff before use. No other personal dive equipment is permitted.
All you will need to bring is your swimsuit, proof of open water certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization and photo identification. Georgia Aquarium supplies all needed dive equipment and 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. 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.
Participants can purchase on-site:
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.
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.
No. The dive is for observation only. Participants are not allowed to touch the animals.
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. Learn more about our Ocean Voyager exhibit here.
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 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.
