Located a short distance from the Long Island Expressway, Atlantis Marine World on Long Island offers a fantastic shark dive that takes place inside the 120,000 gallon Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit. An incredible opportunity for certified divers, and accessible even to those who have never experienced snorkeling or diving, this unique experience is designed for anyone age 12 and up, who wants to get up close and personal with some of nature's most efficient predators. Whether you're in need of a practice shark encounter before heading off to South Africa or the Channel Islands for a natural shark encounter, or if you just want to do the dive and get the proverbial T-shirt, you can enjoy a fun and safe shark dive right here at Atlantis Marine World.
Diving With Sharks at Atlantis
Before you don your wetsuit, dive mask, and scuba gear, all of which is provided by Atlantis Marine World, you'll be provided with a safety briefing as well as an educational program all about the sharks you'll see while diving in the tank. Those who have never dived in the past will be provided with a scuba lesson as well - kind of an intro to SCUBA with a massive, toothy reward at the end. Trained divemasters employed by Marine World accompany all groups, regardless of certification level, and everyone must sign and return a liability waiver prior to being permitted to enjoy their dive. The cost of the program includes general aquarium admission, a souvenir towel, a photo of your dive, and a souvenir shark tooth from the exhibit itself. Atlantis Marine World members get a discount along with other aquarium benefits.
From inside the safety of a shark cage like the ones used on shark adventure dives worldwide, you'll be able to view locally collected sand tiger sharks and bottom-dwelling nurse sharks; in addition, this spectacular exhibit with its' Atlantean theme that incorporates the look of a sunken city is home to giant Queensland Groupers, moray eels, and many other fish, as well as a huge loggerhead turtle nicknamed "Jaws" who outgrew his exhibit at the Mall of America aquarium. While the sharks are toothy and have a fearsome appearance, they are not aggressive unless provoked, and as you're in a protected environment on this dive, you can simply watch the sharks and other creatures, without worrying about an accidental incident.
The shark dive happens daily at 11 a.m., and only eight participants may dive per day. As you might imagine, this is an extremely popular dive, so it is important to contact Atlantis Marine World in advance to reserve your spot. The aquarium itself is a fantastic place to spend the day; it is home to seals and penguins, along with an Amazon aviary that hosts many endangered bird species, and in the salt water and freshwater aquarium exhibits, you'll be able to get a close look at hundreds of different species. The fees you'll pay for this experience and others go toward maintaining exhibits, as well as toward many research and rescue operations, including the Riverhead Foundation for Research and Preservation, which is housed at the aquarium. Marine life is rescued and rehabilitated here, and while the aquarium is certainly fun to explore, it offers a focused emphasis on the importance of marine life and environmental preservation. Offering an interesting look at sharks in a completely safe environment, and a whole lot more, Atlantis Marine World, also known as the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center, is a wonderful place to visit.