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Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager Dive
 225 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313
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Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m
Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.80 by 15 divers
Spring: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Fall: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Winter: 76-80°F/24-27°C
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Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager Dive is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located at 225 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313. This dive site has an average rating of 4.80 out of 5 from 15 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 26-30ft/8-9m. The average visibility is 91-100ft/28-30m. This dive site provides bathrooms and airfills.
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.
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 and schools of tarpon, pompano and cownose rays. That’s just to name a few.
The Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager Dive is an awesome experience and a must do for all divers. The staff at the Georia Aquarium go all out to make you feel special and apart of the team during your visit. While the initial cost of the experience may seem a little shocking, you will understand the value that you have received at the end of the day!
You dive begins with a briefing in a classroom type setting and your dive master will go over the types of marine life you will encounter and your dive profile. He will also take the time to show you the gear that you will use. You are allowed to bring your own mask but be advised that no other personal gear may be used ( this includes cameras of any sort - yes I asked ). You go to the locker room after that and change into your wetsuit, booties and gloves. Next you come out and get final instruction from your dive master and proceed to their floating dock and don your gear ( with the help of the staff ).
Once in the water you will meet your dive master at the bottom, pair up with your dive buddy, take a quick video of everyone all together and begin your guided tour of the exhibit.
Just a special note: they slightly overweight everyone on purpose to keep you toward the bottom. They explain this before the dive. There are three staff members with you during your dive, Your divemaster who is your guide, a safety dive who keeps an eye on you and the marine life around you, and a videographer who is also a second safety diver so to speak. You get to ( and are encouraged to) interact with the aquarium visitors looking into the tank from the outside. If you have friends or family with you that are not diving, the Georgia Aquarium provides them with a private guide to take them around to places where they can see you, take videos and pics of you, and interact with you.
My family loved that part BTW.
During the dive you get to kneel a few times and take it all in. The views underwater are simple breathtaking. You will see huge Manta Rays (one of the rays named Trixie follows the divers), Groupers, Black Tip Reef Sharks, Sandbar Sharks, Jacks, Southern Sting Rays, and of course the Whale Sharks ( that constantly pass over you). The worst part of the dive is getting out of the water ( you hate to leave ). BTW the water is warm 72 - 75 degrees.
After the dive you take off your gear ( again with the help of the staff ), go shower in the locker room ( yes they have hot showers lol ), and join your friends and family back in the classroom to view a video of your dive ( which of course you can purchase ) and get your free goodies which include a T-shirt, group photo, G Dive sticker, and a dive log sticker which was a cool idea. Your dive master will be more than happy to sign your log book.
I have already told myself that this will be an annual ( if i can...semi annual ) dive for me. If you have any questions please do not hesitate in contacting me. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. DO THIS - YOU WONT REGRET IT!
Fritz Moore