Who needs a coastline? No need to leave Midtown for the underwater experience of a lifetime: You’ve got access to the world’s largest aquarium.

Jump into the 6.3-million gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit tank at the Georgia Aquarium to swim or dive with the fishes as part of the "Journey With Gentle Giants" program.

“Journey With Gentle Giants” is the only opportunity in the world where you’re guaranteed to share waters with the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. Of course, you’re also brushing fins with zebra sharks, sawfish, leopard whiprays, bowmouth guitarfish, humphead wrasses, tarpon, pompano and cownose rays.

“People search the world to experience swimming with whale sharks,” said Mackenzie Whalen, spokeswoman for the Georgia Aquarium. “We can do it in our own backyard. It’s an incredible experience.”

Whether you swim or dive, each two-and-a-half hour experience includes about thirty minutes in the water while the remainder of the time is spent learning about the animals, getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the exhibit and gearing up. Certified SCUBA divers are eligible to dive and will earn PADI whale shark specialty diver certification. The swim option is for anyone (age 12 and up; persons younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult) who’d rather float across the surface while attached to an air supply—and you don’t even need to know how to swim.

“It’s interactive and engaging,” Whalen said. “People come up out of the water blown away by the experience. It’s an opportunity you might otherwise never have.”

Due to popularity, advance reservations are required. The cost to swim is $224.95 plus tax and to dive is $324.95 plus tax (members save 10 percent.) All equipment is provided, although you can use a personal mask if you like.

You can also sleep with the fishes. The next adult sleepover is scheduled for August 12. “It’s an easy-going social,” said Whalen of the overnight indoor camping extravaganza. Join hundreds of folks (all of whom are at least age 21) for an evening to “explore the aquarium, listen to live jazz playing in the atrium, take a behind-the-scenes tour and then sleep in front of the exhibits. You’ll wake up next to the fishes.”

The Georgia Aquarium is located at 225 Baker St. NW. For more information call 404-581-4000 or visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.