If you love aquatic life and learning about the surrounding waters of Long Island, then you’ll definitely want to plan a trip to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. The aquarium showcases sea life that is local and native to the waters surrounding us, as well as exotic fish, crustaceans and aquatic mammals from different areas around the world. The aquarium is a great way to learn more about the ocean and the animals that inhabit it. From self-guided tours, to school programs and special exhibits, the aquarium offers many different educational programs that sea lovers and animal lovers young and old can enjoy.
Some of the aquarium’s must see exhibits? You wont want to miss the largest all-living coral reef display in this hemisphere or the 120,000-gallon shark tank. Make sure to catch the year-round sea lion show and a visitor favorite, the African Penguins! There are also plenty of touch tanks that visitors can interact with the aquarium’s sea life and more than 100 exhibits including the beautiful indoor butterfly, bugs and birds garden. Listed below are additional aquatic adventures that visitors can take part in.
Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat
Add extra aquatic adventure to your visit with an interactive cruise aboard the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat! You’ll enjoy a hands-on exploration, including trap pulls, horseshoe crab encounters and a stroll along the beach. Price: $5-$20
Penguin Encounter
Penguin lovers get ready! Enjoy a 45-minute interactive opportunity to have a close up encounter with an African penguin and learn how our animal experts care for these playful birds. Price: $45-$50
Pirate Snorkel Adventure
Help Captain Poseidon locate missing treasure while experiencing the beauty of tropical snorkeling right here on Long Island. (Seasonal) Price: $32-$35
Mermaid Monday
Under the sea! Your little one will be delighted to swim with a real, live mermaid, as she navigates the Shark Reef Lagoon, filled with gorgeous tropical fish from all over the world. This is a magical, interactive experience you can’t get anywhere else. Time and space is limited. (Seasonal) Price: $36-$40
Shark Dive
Dive into an adventure of a lifetime! Visitors can get inside the cage, right in the middle of the aquarium’s circling sharks in their 120,000 gallon Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit. Price: $160-$165
Mermaid Meet & Greet
Spend some time with the aquarium’s Mermaids on land and take some photos of this unique encounter! Reservations not required. (Seasonal) Price: $10
Hours and Admission
Location: 431 East Main Street, Riverhead NY
Admission: $29.50 (adults), $22.50 (children 3-12), $25.50 (seniors 62+). Children 2 and under are free
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closed only on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day)
How to get there: It’s a 15 minute walk (or a five minute, $10 cab ride) from Long Island Rail Road’s Riverhead Station (about a two hour ride with two transfers from Brooklyn’s Atlantic Station). Visit here for detailed driving directions.
For more information on the aquarium and to book an adventure, call 631.208.9200 or visit www.longislandaquarium.com.
