Where to Swim with Whale Sharks and Downward Dog with The Fishes

When the Animal Overlords take over, we can rest assured that our own Shira Levine will be safe from persecution.

We're going to try to be more thoughtful the next time we eat sushi and just stick with the faux crabmeat after indulging in peaceful day at the Georgia Aquarium. This the only place in the world where you can swim in a giant fish tank with a couple of 23-foot long whale sharks.

The Atlanta fish farm hosts "Swim with Gentle Giants," swimming and diving tours in their football field-sized, eight-million gallon Ocean Voyager tank. To say the underwater experience is thrilling is an understatement.

These fish (which include massive manta rays and sting rays, guitarfish, zebra sharks, cownose rays and wobbegong sharks) are as friendly as puppies and kitties. They like to swim up really close and skim along your body before darting off into the faux deep blue.

We did a swimming tour where we sported full diver's regalia and cruised the tank just beneath the water's surface. We couldn't help but wonder if the fishies -- big and small -- have an inherent sense of humor. One minute we're staring at sting rays doing back flips and hammerhead sharks lurking in dark fish alleys when suddenly we feel a gentle ripple and two whale sharks slowly sandwich us before moving on to the next swimmer.

Then there was that old giant grouper who had a lot of nerve nuzzling us before attempting to swim right through. (Either they're dumb or they think they're invincible.)

The 30-minute in-water tour is magical and relaxingly quiet. (Beside your bubbles, its totally quiet down there.) Before we submerged we had a 15-minute briefing that covered fears and stressed the importance of being good to the fish when in their home. Swimming with sharks is like visiting a strip club. You can't touch the fish, but they can touch you. For safety reasons they request swimmers always stay flat and never stand erect -- it disrupts the animals' environment. (You also sign a waiver that no one will hold them responsible if a sting ray goes Crocodile Hunter on you.) The good news? A whale shark can't swallow you, his esophagus is puny while his mouth is roughly the size of a Smart Car.

Prior to our swim we also took a yoga class in the aquarium with the fish tank a peaceful, serene backdrop. For those who can zone out and accept the weird and graceful beluga whales starring as your private dancer, to do a sun salutation in front of these creatures certainly takes you to new levels. (Now we need someone to remix Tina Turner for a hatha yoga session.)

There are daily dives with six divers to a swim. It's 3 p.m. for scuba divers and 4:30 p.m. for snorkelers. The entire package lasts about 2.5 hours. Prices are reasonable for the experience at $325 for scuba divers and $225 for snorkelers. Equipment is all included.

Of course there is an in and out-of-water camera man to capture you in the experience. They'll help you find your best angle when sporting a wet suit, an equalizer and goggles!

Yoga classes are Sundays from 9:30am to 11am in the Oceans Ballroom and costs $35 a class. ($20 for members of the aquarium.) Namaste.

Related Stories:
· Georgia Aquarium [Official Site]
· Animals [Jaunted]

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