This year marks a big milestone for the Long Island Aquarium as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, and the festivities are making waves! To kick off the celebration, the Long Island Aquarium hosted a lively bash for its members, friends, and finned residents, complete with dancing, cake, and plenty of up-close encounters with animals. But if you missed the party, there’s no need to worry because the Aquarium’s birthday celebration continues all summer long with exciting specials, nostalgic throwbacks, and unique animal experiences!
One of the most unforgettable encounters awaits at the Sea Lion Coliseum, where the Aquarium’s resident sea lions dazzle audiences with dance moves, ball-balancing acts, and larger-than-life personalities. After the show, guests can sign up for a sea lion kiss at the selfie session. Just across the way, the Penguin Pavilion offers another fan-favorite photo op with its charismatic black-footed African penguins. These adorable black and white birds have a fascinating backstory: originally confiscated at JFK Airport after a long flight due to improper paperwork, they Fish and Wildlife Commission thought they need a permanent NY home rather than risking their health with another long flight back. A habitat was build and they were placed in the aquarium’s care in 2005 where they have thrived ever since.
If you’re feeling brave, head to the shark tank during a feeding session, where you can watch trainers offer fish to the resident nurse sharks and sand tiger sharks, many of whom surprisingly decline the snack, even when it’s placed right at their mouths. These misunderstood predators, caught as pups off Jones Beach in 1999, are now among the Aquarium’s oldest and most awe-inspiring residents. For the truly adventurous, there’s even an option to cage dive with the sharks. This thrilling experience gives you a front-row seat to the power and beauty of these creatures, safely enclosed in a submerged cage in their 120,000 gallon habitat.
Looking for something a little lighter? Try the Snorkel Adventure, where guests can swim alongside tropical fish in a clear-water lagoon. It’s a perfect introduction to underwater exploration for kids and adults alike and an unforgettable chance to connect with marine life face-to-face.
For a journey beyond the tanks, hop aboard the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat, which cruises along the Peconic River and docks at a private beach where guests can explore for local wildlife like crabs, fish, and snails. One surprising fact from the tour? The mute swans just outside the Aquarium eat more food in a day than the sharks do in an entire week!
Throughout the Aquarium, hands-on experiences are abound to the delight of visitors both young and old. The stingray touch pool allows these gentle creatures to swim right up to visitors for a quick snack and a pat on the back is one of the aquarium regular’s favorites. Be sure to also visit the butterfly atrium, vibrant butterflies and moths float freely among visitors, while expert staff point out beautiful species and even clever camouflage tricks on giant moths whose wing patterns mimic owl eyes or snake heads to fend off predators.
There are plenty of new faces to meet too. This year, North American river otters Flo and Stark welcomed a litter of four pups, delighting guests with their boundless energy and playful antics. Fisher the fishing cat, a rare and exotic feline native to Southeast Asia, is also settling into his new habitat. He’s even learning to fish live prey using his paws, a skill his previous facility didn’t encourage. Other unique residents include Geoffroy’s marmosets, a rescued mother and her twins who previously lived in a medical lab and now thrive in their naturalistic enclosure.
Another highlight of the Aquarium’s mission is the important work being done at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Here, guests can witness the Aquarium’s hands-on efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles rescued from local waters. Through medical treatment, care, and public education, the team works tirelessly to return these endangered animals to the wild—and to raise awareness about the threats they face in our oceans. It’s a powerful reminder of the Aquarium’s role not just as an attraction, but as an active force in marine conservation.
To mark its 25th birthday, Long Island Aquarium is offering a wave of celebratory perks. On the 25th of each month now through September, guests can enjoy $25 admission (in-person only), with fun giveaways for the first 25 visitors! Experiences like the Atlantis Explorer Boat, Snorkel Adventure, and more are also discounted to $25 all summer long in celebration of such a monuments anniversary. But there’s more, guests can enter weekly giveaways, browse photo exhibits that trace the Aquarium’s growth, and submit “Then & Now” photos for a chance to win admission tickets and be featured online.
Whether you’re a regular visitor or planning your very first trip, the Long Island Aquarium has something to get everyone excited. From animal encounters you won’t soon forget to peaceful river rides and splashy surprises around every corner, the Aquarium continues to offer something for everyone. Celebrate the season (and 25 unforgettable years) by diving into the adventure yourself!
