It’s always SHARK week at the Long Island Aquarium

Being typically scared to wade deeper than my knees in ocean waters as I’m fearful of what I may encounter (and, yes, conditioned by shark films), I can still satisfy my curiosity with creatures of the deep by getting up close and personal with sharks at Riverhead’s Long Island Aquarium.

Here, at the home to the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit, I can learn about these interesting creatures from a safe distance. But, if that’s not enough for you, you can sign up for the Shark Dive program, which takes place daily at 11 a.m. This experience places you right in the midst of the sharks, from the safety of a submerged cage. A trained shark dive instructor accompanies all participants, too.

For those who aren’t quite ready to dunk themselves in a shark tank, there’s the Shark Keeper Program. You can help pole feed the sharks and get a tour of the behind-the-scenes animal care. You can sign up for this program on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and the session begins at 3:40 p.m.

The aquarium also has scheduled shark talks, feeds and activities throughout the year. In the exhibit, you can observe sand tiger sharks and bottom-dwelling nurse sharks, as well as a moray eel and other fish. However, in special celebration of sharks, the aquarium will host Shark Trivia sessions and offer a shark-related craft throughout the week of July 23-30.

So, take a bite out of the opportunity for adventure and the chance to learn all about this amazing, often misunderstood fish in person – right here on Long Island!

Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead
631-208-9200, ext. 426
Details, schedules and other events: longislandaquarium.com