Years in the making, Georgia Aquarium’s long-awaited and newest gallery, ‘SHARKS! Predators of the Deep’, is opening to the public. On Friday, October 23, 2020 guests will finally see one of the largest shark exhibits anywhere in the world.
“On behalf of the dedicated staff at Georgia Aquarium, we are excited to announce the opening date of our new gallery, Sharks! Predators of the Deep. A lot of work went into creating a spectacular guest experience, including new features and interactive elements that were designed for guests of all ages and abilities,” said Dr. Brian Davis, president and CEO of Georgia Aquarium.
Featuring many unique elements and state-of-the-art technology, guests are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience with one of nature’s most formidable apex predators. Sharks are featured in the 20-foot-deep, 185-foot-long exhibit and can be spotted in the floor-to-ceiling acrylic windows. Thousands of pilchard fish also shimmer and school throughout the 1.2 million gallons of saltwater amongst the sharks. The exhibit also accompanies an entirely new main entrance to the Aquarium.
“As guests explore our new gallery, they will find themselves standing inches away from some of the most feared and mysterious animals on the planet,” said Dr. Davis. “We hope to turn that fear into fascination and ultimately an appreciation for sharks. Our goal is to have guests leave with a deeper understanding of all shark species and a respect to protect them.”
Two brand-new immersive and interactive experiences will be available for guests to get even closer to sharks and rays. In a one-of-a-kind immersive experience guests will go behind-the-scenes and wade into an immersion pool attached to the main shark habitat. Accompanied by Georgia Aquarium staff, guests will learn about zebra sharks and stingrays while simultaneously being in the water with these animals. This immersion experience is available starting November 2020 and reservations can be made now here.
In addition to zebra sharks and stingrays, guests can be submerged into the waters of the main habitat and get daringly close to the sharks – from the safety of a dive cage that moves underwater. No dive certification is necessary as participants are guided by Georgia Aquarium Dive staff. The dive cage experience is available beginning in 2021 and reservations are available now here.
The Aquarium will host a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony presented by general contractors, Brasfield & Gorrie on October 23, 2020 to commemorate the opening of the new exhibit.
As a leader in aquatic research and exceptional animal care, Georgia Aquarium is dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation for our ocean and the animals that call it home, including sharks. Georgia Aquarium has been performing important research on shark species like hammerheads, sand tigers, and tiger sharks in conjunction with this new endeavor. From tracking hammerheads in Floridian waters to nutritional research on tiger sharks in the Bahamas, the non-profit organization hopes to contribute important scientific knowledge to shark conservation, in addition to learning from and caring for the sharks at Georgia Aquarium.
SHARKS! Predators of the Deep is included with General Admission and ticket reservations are available now for October 23, 2020 and beyond. Due to COVID-19 precautions, guests will still be required to purchase entry tickets in advance of their visit. No walk-up tickets will be available. To purchase tickets, visit georgiaaquarium.org.
PHOTOS courtesy Georgia Aquarium