Flint RiverQuarium

What Flint RiverQuarium does

Flint RiverQuarium is a non-profit freshwater aquarium and educational facility located in Albany, Georgia, founded in 2004. It houses more than 160 species and over 1,300 animals daily, with a programmatic focus on the Flint River basin and native southeastern U.S. freshwater ecosystems. The centerpiece exhibit is the Blue Hole Spring, a 175,000-gallon natural-spring tank maintained at a constant 68°F year-round and enclosed by eight-inch-thick viewing glass. Additional signature attractions include the Cypress Creek Aviary (a 35-foot-tall enclosure for native and migratory birds), the Spring Run Creek exhibit housing Moonshine — one of fewer than 100 albino alligators worldwide — and a working Hatchery where fish are raised from egg to fingerling. The Flint River Gallery traces the river from urban headwaters to its Gulf of Mexico confluence, while the World of Water exhibit contextualizes regional drainage against global river systems.

The organization operates a diversified, transaction-based revenue model combining walk-in admission ($9 adult / $6.50 youth / free for children 3 and under), education programs aligned with Georgia State Learning Standards (school field trips at $5-$7.50 per student, off-site presentations at a $100 base + $1/mile travel fee), birthday party packages ($275 member / $325 non-member for up to 20 guests), overnight "Sleep with the Fishes" programming (minimum $900 for 15 participants), week-long summer and winter camps ($143/week, with a member discount and after-camp care), event rentals across the Skywater Room, Flint River Room, Imagination Theater, Plaza, Outdoor Terrace, and Catering Kitchen, and recurring memberships and donations. Go-to-market operates through five channels: walk-in visitors (daily 10:00-17:00), direct school bookings via the education department, direct event/party reservations, online camp registration via RegFox, and the Southwest Georgia Learning Hub for virtual programming.

Flint RiverQuarium is part of the Artesian Alliance, an umbrella consortium with Thronateeska Heritage Center and Chehaw that coordinates joint field trips, cross-promotion, and shared programming across Southwest Georgia attractions. Distribution and marketing rely on the organizational website, Facebook (program announcements posted Thursdays), YouTube (free educational video library), and email calendars of events. No technology platform, software product, or proprietary digital system is offered — the assets under management are physical exhibits, live animals, and a small paid staff (11-50 employees).

Name

Flint RiverQuarium

Legal name

Flint RiverQuarium

Website

https://flintriverquarium.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flint RiverQuarium is a non-profit freshwater aquarium in Albany, Georgia, housing 160+ species and 1,300+ animals. It serves families, K-12 school groups, youth organizations, and event clients through exhibits, curriculum-aligned education programs, camps, birthday parties, and venue rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium and Environmental Education

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

Keywords

• Freshwater aquarium exhibits
• Environmental education programs
• School field trips
• Summer camp programs
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Daily admission fees for visitors to the aquarium exhibits and programming
2. Birthday Party Packages: All-inclusive party packages including admission, party host, animal encounter, cake, and decorations. Member package at $275, non-member at $325.
3. Overnight Experience (Sleep with the Fishes): Group overnight programs with behind-the-scenes tours, education presentations, live animal meet & greet, private dive show, breakfast, and admission. Minimum $900 for 15 participants, $50 per additional participant.
4. Summer and Winter Camps: Week-long camp programs for children ages 5-12 combining aquarium and museum visits, animal encounters, crafts, and activities. Each camp session is $143 per week.
5. Education Presentations and Labs: On-site and off-site educational programs aligned with Georgia State Learning Standards for school groups. On-site presentations at $4.50 per person, labs at $7.50 per person.
6. Facility Rentals: Event space rentals including Skywater Room, Flint River Room, Imagination Theater, Plaza, Outdoor Terrace, and Catering Kitchen for weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
7. Memberships and Donations: Annual membership programs and donation opportunities supporting the aquarium's operations and conservation efforts.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Flint RiverQuarium operates a freshwater aquarium and educational facility in Albany, Georgia, housing more than 160 species and 1,300 animals across exhibits including the 175,000-gallon Blue Hole Spring, Flint River Gallery, Spring Run Creek, Cypress Creek Aviary, and a Hatchery. It sells general admission, birthday party packages, overnight experiences, summer and winter camps, and education presentations aligned with Georgia State Learning Standards, and rents event spaces for weddings and corporate functions.

Product overview

Flint RiverQuarium is a physical aquarium and educational facility in Southwest Georgia, not a technology company. Its portfolio consists of live animal exhibits (including the 175,000-gallon Blue Hole Spring centerpiece), educational programs aligned with Georgia Standards, seasonal camps for children and teens, event rental spaces, and family programs including overnight experiences and birthday parties. The aquarium houses more than 160 species and 1,300 animals across multiple themed exhibits and galleries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blue Hole Spring Exhibit Centerpiece exhibit holding 175,000 gallons of water maintained at a constant 68 degrees year-round, with an eight-inch-thick viewing window glass. Open to walk-in visitors purchasing general admission.
• Flint River Gallery Exhibition tracing the Flint River from urban headwaters to Gulf of Mexico confluence, featuring freshwater and saltwater tanks representing habitats along the river.
• Spring Run Creek Exhibit Exhibit home to Flint RiverQuarium alligators including Moonshine, a rare albino alligator (one of fewer than 100 in the world).
• World of Water Exhibit Global water exhibit relating the Flint and Chattahoochee drainage systems to river systems worldwide, highlighting water management practices.
• Hatchery Exhibits where fish are raised from egg to fingerling before being transferred to other exhibits within the aquarium.
• Cypress Creek Aviary 35-foot-high enclosure housing passerine and wading birds indigenous to the Flint River basin, including migratory birds from the major flyway.
• Field Trips School field trip program featuring animal encounters with alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles, aligned with Georgia State Learning Standards for Pre-K through 12.
• Education Presentations Hands-on presentations, experiments, and live animal encounters aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence for all grade levels, available on-site or off-site.
• Virtual Learning Free educational videos, virtual field trips, and teacher workshops delivered through the Southwest Georgia Learning Hub.
• Summer Camps Week-long camps for children ages 5-12 featuring daily aquarium visits, animal encounters, crafts, games, and activities.
• Teen STEAM Camp Teen program engaging participants in Science, Technology, Art, and Math with hands-on experiences, behind-the-scenes access, and professional mentors.
• Winter Break Camp Joint camp with Thronateeska during school winter breaks featuring daily trips, animal encounters, and hands-on activities.
• Overnight Experience (Sleep with the Fishes) Group overnight program including behind-the-scenes tour, interactive education presentation, live animal meet and greet, private dive show, continental breakfast, and admission.
• Birthday Party Packages All-inclusive birthday party packages including admission, party host, animal encounter, themed decorations, cake, and refreshments.
• Weekend Programs Regularly scheduled weekend programming including Blue Hole dive shows, aviary feedings, tank talks, and animal chats.
• Tadpole Time Monthly program for parents and pre-schoolers featuring themed story time, craft, and animal encounter, included with cost of admission or free to members.
• Event Rental Spaces Venue rentals including Skywater Room, Flint River Room, Imagination Theater, Plaza, Outdoor Terrace, and Catering Kitchen for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 6,000 pounds of frozen fish ordered annually for animal feeding
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thronateeska Heritage CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint camps and educational programs held at both Flint RiverQuarium and Thronateeska. The two locations complement each other well with science-based activities and are less than 10 minutes apart along the Riverfront Trail. Combined field trip bookings are encouraged.
• ChehawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as part of the Artesian Alliance network of attractions in Southwest Georgia, alongside Flint RiverQuarium and Thronateeska.
• Artesian AlliancecoreOthersUmbrella organization managing Flint RiverQuarium, Thronateeska Heritage Center, and Chehaw as a coordinated network of Southwest Georgia attractions and educational facilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tennessee Aquarium: A regional freshwater-focused aquarium in Chattanooga featuring river ecosystem exhibits, education programs, and event venues. Directly comparable in scale, freshwater focus, and mission to Flint RiverQuarium.
• Mississippi Aquarium: A newer regional aquarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, focused on native southeastern U.S. aquatic species with strong education and conservation programming — closely comparable in mission, regional scale, and exhibit mix.
• Audubon Aquarium of the Americas: A mission-driven aquarium combining freshwater and saltwater exhibits with education programming and a non-profit operating model. Comparable in educational mission and visitor-experience orientation.
• Adventure Aquarium: A mid-sized regional aquarium in Camden, NJ, offering animal encounters, education programs, and event rentals. Directly comparable in exhibit-driven education and event-hosting model.
• Texas State Aquarium: A non-profit aquarium in Corpus Christi combining Gulf and freshwater exhibits with camps, school programs, and event spaces. Strong comparable on education programming, events, and non-profit operating structure.

Broad incumbents

• National Aquarium: A larger, well-established non-profit aquarium in Baltimore with extensive education, conservation, and event programming. Comparable as a non-profit mission-driven aquarium but materially larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Georgia Aquarium: The largest aquarium in the U.S. located in Atlanta, Georgia, within driving distance of Flint RiverQuarium. Competes for the same regional school-trip, family, and tourism dollars but at a vastly different scale.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach: A for-profit chain aquarium offering a comparable mix of animal encounters, family programming, and event venues. Comparable in exhibit and event experience, though commercially operated and destination-tourism oriented.
• SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium: A chain aquarium offering family-friendly exhibits and education programs in a regional market. Comparable in visitor experience and education focus, though operated as part of a global brand.

Others

• Thronateeska Heritage Center: A Southwest Georgia heritage and science museum that is part of the Artesian Alliance with Flint RiverQuarium. Directly comparable as a co-marketed regional science education partner running joint camps and combined field trips.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlintRQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/flint.riverquarium
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flint-riverquarium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flint RiverQuarium