Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead — Live Webcam

Long Island Aquarium: Underwater World in Riverhead

At the eastern end of Long Island, in the town of Riverhead, New York, sits one of the most unusual aquariums on the East Coast of the United States. The Long Island Aquarium opened in 2000 under its original name, Atlantis Marine World. Today, this destination attracts tourists and locals alike not only for its rich collection of marine life but also for the unique opportunity to watch sharks via a live webcam at any time of day.

The land for the complex was purchased by city authorities as early as 1995 with support from the Okeanos Foundation of Hampton Bays. The project was conceived as an educational and research center where visitors could explore the marine fauna of the Atlantic and tropical seas. Over 25 years of operation, the aquarium has become a major Long Island tourist attraction, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests annually.

Exhibit "Lost City of Atlantis": A Sunken World

The aquarium's centerpiece exhibit — "Lost City of Atlantis" — is designed in a classical ancient style. The décor features replica statues, columns, and ruins that create the atmosphere of an ancient sunken city. This is where the main shark tank is located, which our webcam broadcasts.

The volume of this giant tank is 120,000 gallons of water. Inside, an artificial structure resembling a ship's hull or a sunken boat has been installed, around which sharks constantly patrol. Blue underwater lighting enhances the feeling of depth and creates a truly marine atmosphere.

Shark Tank Inhabitants: Who Swims in Front of the Camera

The main shark tank houses several species of predatory fish. Sand tiger sharks, reef sharks, rays, and large striped bass live here. Sand tiger sharks are among the most impressive inhabitants — their toothy jaws and majestic appearance capture the attention of everyone watching the stream.

In addition to sharks, other marine species are present in the exhibit. Coral formations, marine plants, and schools of tropical fish create a complete ecosystem that closely resembles the natural habitat. Some of the reef aquarium inhabitants have lived here for more than 26 years — since the opening in 2000.

Shark Dive Program: Diving with Predators

For the bravest visitors, the aquarium offers a unique "Shark Dive" program — cage diving right in the shark tank. This option has been available for nearly 20 years and remains one of the most popular interactive programs on Long Island. Participants put on a wetsuit, mask, and weights, then descend in a metal cage to the bottom of the 120,000-gallon tank, where sand tiger sharks swim just inches away.

The program is conducted under the supervision of an experienced dive master and is available to both certified divers and beginners with no prior training. This is one of the few aquariums in the United States where regular visitors can get such close contact with large predatory fish.

Coral Reef and Other Exhibits

In addition to the shark tank, the aquarium features a 20,000-gallon coral reef aquarium with a volume of 76,000 liters — one of the largest fully living coral displays in the Western Hemisphere. It showcases dozens of coral species, tropical fish, sea anemones, and other invertebrates.

For families, there are Penguin Encounter and Pirate Snorkel programs. Visitors can swim in a special pool among tropical fish in a pirate theme or meet African penguins behind glass and even feed them.

How to Get to the Aquarium in Riverhead

The aquarium is located at 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 — right in the center of Riverhead, the county seat of Suffolk County. You can reach it by car via Sunrise Highway (NY-27) or Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the eastern tip of Long Island.

For those traveling by public transit, the Long Island Rail Road runs to the Riverhead terminal station. From the station to the aquarium is about a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride. In summer, special bus routes run from the resort towns of the Hamptons.

Hours and Tickets

The aquarium is open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours vary by season: typically 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter and until 6:00 PM in summer. Adult admission is approximately $32–$35, children (ages 3–12) — about $24. Children under 3 get in free.

Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, and other interactive experiences are priced separately and require advance booking. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.

What You Can See on the Camera

Our live webcam broadcasts a direct feed from the main "Lost City of Atlantis" shark tank at the Long Island Aquarium. The frame shows a massive tank with blue lighting, where sand tiger sharks and reef sharks slowly patrol around an artificial structure resembling a sunken ship's hull. Schools of striped bass dart between them, and rays glide by.

Classical-style décor — columns, statues, architectural fragments — creates the atmosphere of underwater ruins. The lighting is positioned to emphasize the scale of the exhibit and the natural colors of the marine inhabitants. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe shark behavior at any time of day — both during the day, when the predators are actively swimming, and at night, when they slow down and rest near the bottom.

This online camera is a great way to see life in the Long Island Aquarium's shark tank without leaving home. Watching sharks via the webcam is free and requires no registration — just open this page and enjoy the live stream from Riverhead.