Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia)
The world?s largest aquarium is the Georgia Aquarium located in Atlanta, Georgia. Bankrolled by local Home Depot magnate Bernie Marcus, the aquarium features many rare aquatic animals not visible in most other aquariums. This includes Alice and Trixie, two juvenile whale sharks expected to grow to a length of 40 feet or more and five beluga whales ? distinctive in their white color and smile-laden faces. Displays are organized into five galleries representing a specific aquatic environment: Georgia Explorer, Ocean Voyager, Cold Water Quest, River Scout, and Tropical Diver. The Georgia Aquarium is home to over 100,000 animals representing over 500 species and holds 8 million gallons of water. It is the largest aquarium in the world by any measurable standard.

Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, California)
The world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California was built in 1984 and backed by local Hewlett Packard magnate David Packard who personally designed and created several elements in his personal blacksmith?s forge at his home in Big Sur. The buildings housing the Monterey Bay Aquarium were once a sardine cannery along Cannery Row, the setting for John Steinbeck?s famous novel. There are over 35,000 specimens here representing 623 species. Within the 10 meter high tank of the Ocean?s Edge wing is a spectacular display of California coastal marine life and the first California Giant Kelp specimens grown in captivity. This type of kelp depends upon the wave motion generated by a wave machine to develop. There are also wonderful displays showing sting rays, sea otters, and jellyfish.

National Aquarium (Baltimore, Maryland)
Built during a period of urban renewal for the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, the National Aquarium opened in 1981 and boasts over 16,500 specimens representing over 660 species. There is a spectacular dolphin display and show, a rainforest on the top floor filled with tropical birds, a huge tank filled with rays, a display featuring exotic frogs of all shapes, sizes and colors, and shark tanks towering over 30 feet high. A new expansion completed in 2005 includes the ?Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes? exhibit featuring animals from the land down under and an interactive educational experience stressing marine animal rescue and environmental conservation efforts.

Sydney Aquarium
Opening in 1988 during Australia?s bicentennial celebration, Sydney Aquarium, located in Darling Harbor, is home to over 650 species and 6000 animals mostly from the Australian continent. Featured exhibits include walk-through acrylic paneled tunnels where sharks are swimming all around and a recreation of the Great Barrier Reef, the world?s largest reef system that is indigenous to Australia. The Great Barrier Reef display is composed of live coral and the animals that naturally occupy the coral. There are also displays featuring seals and penguins. The seal display is of particular mention for its double-viewing opportunities where visitors can see the seals below and above the water. A new exhibit featuring crocodiles is planned to open in 2008.

New England Aquarium (Boston, Massachusetts)
The New England Aquarium was built in 1969 on the Boston waterfront. Revolutionizing modern aquatic displays, the New England Aquarium is widely credited for its innovation for displaying specimens in their natural environment. Featured displays include a cylindrical Caribbean coral reef with numerous sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish viewable from multiple levels and a penguin exhibit featuring numerous penguin species. There is also a South American river display featuring piranhas, anacondas, and electric ells and displays of schooling fish including the huge Goliath Grouper. At the entrance to the aquarium is a seal exhibit that is viewable without entering the aquarium. Recent additions include an IMAX theatre.

Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town, South Africa)
The Two Oceans Aquarium, named for the Atlantic and Indian Oceans that the country of South Africa straddles, is home to over 3000 animals and six themed exhibits featuring the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Cape Fur Seals, the local Sappi River, a kelp forest, and ocean predators. There is also a play center for young children where adults can relax also. Two Oceans Aquarium also offers a unique experience most other aquariums would never offer ? a chance to dive with sharks, rays, and turtles or a dive into the kelp forest. These dives also feature give the certified diver the opportunity to feed the animals.

Underwater Adventures (Mall of America, Minneapolis, MN)
Underwater Adventures in Minneapolis, Minnesota is particularly notable for its location within one of the world?s largest shopping malls. Those residing in the colder climates, such as that found in Minnesota, have been accustomed to building huge and comfortably warm shopping centers to keep themselves occupied during the winter months. This aquarium features a football-field length acrylic tunnel that simulates a scuba diving experience. There are multitudes of sharks, sea turtles, and rays swimming all around the spectators. The experience was voted the ?best shark encounter? by travelchannel.com. There is also a display featuring species of the Minnesota forests with local favorite Brutus, a 60-pound snapping turtle.

Osaka Aquarium (Osaka, Japan)
The Osaka Aquarium is the largest in Japan and one of the most spectacular in the world. Featuring animals from the Ring of Fire and Ring of Life regions of the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features displays of whale sharks, penguins, sea turtles, the unusual sun fish, and otters within regionally themed galleries representing Japan, Australia, the Aleutian Islands, Monterey Bay, the Gulf of Panama, the Ecuador Rain Forest, the Chilean Coast, and Antarctica. The galleries are arranged according to the Gaia Hypothesis popularized by Dr. James Lovelock and are positioned within the complex as they would be on the planet. Popular times to visit are the publicly scheduled feeding times.

Underwater World (Singapore)
Underwater World is located on the island of Sentosa within the nation of Singapore. There are over 2500 marine animals representing over 250 species from around the world. Featured here is an 83 meter tunnel with a sea turtle?s view of a coral reef thriving with rays, moray eels, sea turtles, and sharks. There are also interactive exhibits where visitors can feed the specimens, touch rays, and experience a unique sensation with a foot massage performed by ?spa fish? followed by a massage performed by a licensed reflexologist. There is even an opportunity to swim with extremely rare pink dolphins.

Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium located within the University of Hawaii campus in Honolulu, Hawaii. Founded way back in 1904, the aquarium is adjacent to a thriving coral reef on the Hawaiian shoreline. There are over 2500 animals here representing 420 species and this aquarium has been officially designated by the Coastal American Partnership as the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center of the Pacific Island Region. The Waikiki Aquarium is equal parts public display and cutting edge research institution. There are fabulous displays of tropical coral and fish native to Hawaii and other regions of the South Pacific as well as a biodiversity exhibit.