Come on, face your fears, come swim with sharks!!! It’s the newest exhibit at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, LI.
Anyways, Atlantis Marine World Aquarium is much, much more than just taking a dip into the water with sharks, they have tons of salt water fish in tanks, a restaurant, and even park rides.
SHARK DIVE:
The signing of a waiver is what freaks me out, so I have yet to jump in with the sharks. I fear them, but I know I should face them. Maybe not in this lifetime though? You get into a cage, and the park staff will lower you in with scuba gear. You do not have to go alone, you can bring a friend, spouse, or even a child, ages 12 or older, with you into the dive. You will be submerged into a huge tank with more than 10 sharks and other marine fish.
There is no need for a diving certificate either, so first timers are welcome just as much as pro divers.
Each dive will come with a brief lesson on the shark, and how to use the scuba gear, so don’t worry about being just tossed in without not knowing how to use your gear. The shark dive includes a few extra goodies for you to bring home afterward, a souvenir towel, a shark tooth, and a photo of your dive. You also will be granted admission into the rest of the aquarium. Members will pay $144.00 plus tax, and non-members will pay $155.00 plus tax per dive.
Shark dives are given daily at 11am. There can be up to 8 participants in the tank, however only 2 per cage. So really, if you book with the whole family it could be an experience of a lifetime for the whole family.
You can register online at www.atlantismarineworld.com or in person at the aquarium. You may also call 631.208.9200 ext 426.
EXHIBITS:
When you first enter Atlantis you will immediately notice a sting ray petting tank. You can get up close and personal with these marine creatures as a guide will be speaking through a microphone and giving you a lesson on the rays. They are all very small and friendly, and do not bite or sting.
There are hundreds of salt water tanks filled with fish from the tropics, and from our own local waters.
Atlantis has an exhibit called Amazon Aviary which will feature parrots and other birds from the Amazon. In the Amazon Rain forest exhibit, you can view extremely large amazon fish, again all of these fish are from people who bought them as pets and could no longer afford to up size their tanks.
There is also an exhibit dedicated solely to the clown fish and the anemone they live in. In this tank you can watch nemo and his friends swimming in and out of the anemone and hide in it when they become frightened. The Coral Reef exhibits are probably the most gorgeous exhibit I have ever seen in my life, a bright colorful display of coal of all different types. In the tank there will also be around 800 different fish swimming in and out of the coral.
The Cuttlefish exhibit actually reminds me of the red lobster like creature from Futurama. They are extremely interesting looking, and you could spend a few minutes staring at it, and admiring how unique this particular creature is. The Sand Shark Lagoon is located right under and also to the sides of the ridge. You can watch as these sharks swim around in peace with other fish, and other rare sharks. There is also scheduled feeding times that you too can participate in.
The Lost City Of Atlantis exhibit has to be the best exhibit in all of the aquarium. Here gigantic tiger and nurse sharks circle around the huge 120,000 gallon tank. Atlantis uses perfect lighting to make this exhibit more dark and eerie, as the jaws soundtrack plays lightly through speakers. Many younger children will run through this exhibit crying. It can be annoying, but fun too. Inside of the tank is also a giant 300lb sea turtle, and large marine fish. All live in harmony with one another due to the over feeding of the sharks. The staff ensures safety of their marine life. Nothing gets eaten. (At least thats what they say).
Seals have an exhibit of their own, and will bounce right off of the glass in front of you, they are curious and friendly. There may also be a few of them swimming around the outside entrance, playing with rubber toys in the water. In The Touch Tank visitors may have a hands on experience with some of our smaller marine creatures, such as horsehoe crabs, starfish, and other small crabs.
In the aquarium throughout you will also see a giant octopus, moray eels, penguins, jelly fish, and thousands of other marine mammals. There are a lot more exhibits to view, and you could easily take all day to view it all.
RESTAURANT:
There is a restaurant in Atlantis, you can schedule children’s birthday parties here as well. This restaurant sells a large variety of different foods, such as light snacks, pizza, soda, burgers and fries. The prices are not over priced like one would imagine, they’re actually pretty decent compared to other places in town.
THE FUN CONTINUES OUTSIDE:
In the back of Atlantis there is an exit into the outside exhibits of the aquarium. Here you will find exhibits of reptiles, an interactive salt marsh where children 42.5 inches or taller can go into a salt water man made pond and get up close and personal with horseshoe crabs, fish, and other crabs and marine life.
As you walk on you will see turtles basking out in the sun, and African penguins playing in their man made habitat. Towards the back of the aquarium is Shark Reef Lagoon. I actually payed the addition admission to get into this exhibit. It is a large pool filled with sting rays, bamboo sharks, and other fish. Here you will be given a wet suit, and a mask to view the fish. There is nothing to fear here, the shark is very tiny, there is only 1, and he has no teeth. The sting rays are extremely large and most of the time will just swim right past you. This exhibit has gained less popularity though ever since Steve Erwin’s death. This exhibit only remains open from July to September. At the Sea Lion Coliseum, you can sit and watch a demonstration with a trainer and her sea lion. It’s pretty fun, but the summer heat blasts you and sitting through it can be tedious.
RIDES:
There is an indoor submarine simulator where you can get in and experience what being in a real submarine would feel like. This ride is sort of cheese. It seats 2 people, rattles up and down, and the on screen TV or flat panel screen where you view a under sea world is shot. -As in lame, and foggy looking.
Discovery Tower takes passengers 100 feet in the air for views of Peconic Bay. It rotates slowly in a circular pattern, so you get a 360 degree view of Long Island. -Or as far as you can see. Nemos Family Fun Center is basically a video arcade room. Poseidon’s Peek & Playground is a large 25 foot rock climbing wall. Each outdoor ride is an additional $2.00.
SEAL KISSES:
For an additional fee you can have your child get his or her picture taken with a seal who will plant a big wet kiss on their cheek.
ATLANTIS EXPLORER:
Is a boat that will take you around the waterways of Long Island. This tour opens in May and runs until October, and s located directly behind Atlantis Marine World. 9:00am (groups only), Monday – Friday: 11:30am & 2:00pm, Weekends: 12:00pm & 2:00pm, July – Labor Day: Daily at 12:00pm & 2:00pm.
This is basically a learning experience for younger children, but Atlantis has not forgotten about adults. They also run a wine and cheese cruise.
72 people on board is the limit.
PROGRAMS:
There are also programs for children to participate in, which include craft making, and learning classes that involve learning about animals all over the world. It is recommend for local children as classes have set times and dates for each class.
SLEEPOVER:
Thats right you can even stay that night with a group of your friends in the aquarium. A sleepover requires lights out by 11pm, and wake up at 6am. At 7:30am you will then be taken on an Atlantis tour boat. A 2 hour cruise through the Peconic. For reservations and pricing per child call 631.208.9200, ext. 186.
GIFT SHOP:
The gift shop sells low end souvenirs, and some high end ones as well. Here you can pick up a shark tooth on a leather cord for about $7. You can also bring home stuffed animals of the fish you have just seen, there are polished sea rocks, and other marine themed souvenirs to buy.
GROUP DISCOUNTS:
There are group discounts for groups of 15 or more, and discounts for classrooms.
Children under 3 get in for free. 3-11 will cost you $15.50 plus tax, young adults, 12-21 will cost $18.50 and the price is the same for adults $18.50.
Seniors get a discount of $15.50.
The aquarium is open year round and opens at 10am-5pm. Closed on Christmas.
OVERALL:
This is an excellent hands on aquarium for children and adults alike. You can easily spend a whole day learning, and touching different marine animals. An experience everyone will enjoy.
LOCATION:
431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 • Tel: 631.208.9200 • Fax: 631.208.0466
For map directions visit www.mapquest.com
