Taking The Plunge At The Long Island Aquarium

Lauren Feldman

10 feet long, 350 pounds, with hundreds of teeth...and there it was, mere inches from me.

Recently, I had the pleasure to dive with the Long Island Aquarium as a part of one of their immersive experiences. This adventure featured myself (a diving novice), Jim (my cheerful, knowledgeable instructor), a metal cage, and—of course—some sharks.

The Long Island Aquarium has been a Riverhead staple since 2000, becoming the first large-scale Aquarium to open in New York State in more than 35 years. Today, millions of people have visited the Long Island Aquarium, making it one of Long Island’s most popular year-round attractions. The aquarium is home to more than one million gallons of water, which means...lots and lots of fish. Their biggest indoor tank, at more than 120 thousand gallons, hosts the biggest of these fish; the sharks. Dubbed, the “Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit”, this tank hosts a variety of shark breeds, including sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks, as well as other saltwater creatures. It was in this tank that I would take the plunge and come face-to-face with its inhabitants.

A question I am sure you have—as I did myself before the dive—is it scary? You might think to yourself, “No way am I getting in a tank with sharks.” And while that fear is certainly understandable, I can now say for sure that it is unfounded.

Prior to the dive, Jim briefed me on everything from general safety to putting on my wetsuit. The aquarium does not require shark-curious folks to be diving certified, which is not standard policy across aquatic centers. This means that more of us have the chance to get in the cage and come face-to-face with these amazing creatures. The aquarium provided everything necessary for the dive, including a wetsuit, scuba gear, and an underwater mask that allows normal breathing and underwater communications. I totally felt a part of the team and understood everything about the dive process.

Once I was suited up, Jim and I experienced the process of gradually warming me up to the dive—literally. The water is a “toasty” 65 degrees. Thankfully, the wetsuit kept me warm, as we slowly submerged into provided with weights around my waist, which both helped me keep my balance and from floating around too much.

After I submerged, I confess my fears abandoned me, replaced by what I can only describe as child-like wonder. The tank features an array of sharks and fish that cannot be found together anywhere on Earth. Far from the fear I thought I’d feel, I was purely captured by such an amazing 360-degree view; one which so few people get to experience.

As I looked around the cage, the sharks swam gently by, coming close but never jostling the cage. They are curious and calm species, and I am sure I was far more fascinated by them than they were by me. During my 20-minute dive, aquarium member Jean led an educational program about sharks and a tour of their habitat. I was able to wave at aquarium visitors, and members of my family who came to watch. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the sand tiger sharks and I were exactly the same age, as well as many other facts about marine life I did not know. It was certainly the most unusual classroom I had ever been in. I could hardly believe it when my 20 minutes were up. Time seemed to stand still inside that cage, I was lost in my fascination, something which has not happened since I was small. The shark dive seems like an adrenaline-hunt, something to do because it is scary. I can assure you, it is so much more than that. This dive was the closest I have come to being a marine explorer. Not only did I feel safe, I felt adventurous, eager to follow the sharks to and fro as they circled the tank. It was delightful to watch schools of fish flutter this way and that. If you have ever had an inkling to step outside of your comfort zone and into the majestic unknown, the Long Island Aquarium’s Shark Dive is a great place to start.

More information about this immersive experience is available at www.longislandaquarium.com as well as the additional exhibits offered, including the popular penguin and sea-lion experiences.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, announce the final performer line-up for the much-anticipated Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, taking place on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds return to Long Island for their ninth headliner performance. Military performers joining the Thunderbirds include the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the United States Marines F-35B Demonstration Team, the United States Navy F-18 Growler Legacy Team and the United States Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod.

Civilian performers include the world-famous Skytypers and their flight squadron of five vintage WWII aircraft; Mike Goulian, North America’s most decorated aerobatic pilot; Folds of Honor Biplane with Ed Hamill; the American Air Power Museum Warbirds; Long Island’s own David Windmiller; Warbird Thunder Airshows; the Civil Air Patrol; and the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams, who will fly several of their 22 college-owned aircraft.

“We have a full lineup of exciting performers this year, and of course we are very happy to welcome the Thunderbirds back to Long Island,” said George Gorman, regional director of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation—Long