Long Island Aquarium

What Long Island Aquarium does

Long Island Aquarium is a privately-held for-profit aquarium and exhibition complex founded in 1999 and located at 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York. The facility spans 100+ exhibits anchored by a 120,000-gallon shark tank (Sand Tiger and Nurse Sharks) within the Lost City of Atlantis exhibit and one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the Western Hemisphere. It also operates the Butterflies, Bugs & Bees Habitat, Ray Bay touch tank, daily Sea Lion Shows, and the on-site NY Marine Rescue Center. The underlying technology stack is predominantly physical — life support systems for marine habitat management staffed by certified aquarists — supplemented by live webcams for remote viewing and a CenterEdge online ticketing platform.

The company serves a diversified customer base: families with children (the primary segment), K-12 school groups, wedding and corporate event planners, regional tourists visiting Long Island's East End, and members. Revenue is generated through unit-priced general admission ($37.50 child / $52.50 adult / $38.50 senior), premium aquatic encounters ranging from $52 (Swim with Mermaids) to $249 (Shark Dive), annual memberships ($90-$355), group rates for 15+ guests, the Atlantis Explorer tour boat ($42/person), food and beverage (Atlantis Café, Seaside Grill), retail gift shops, gift cards, commemorative pavers ($179.99), and event hosting through Atlantis Banquets & Events.

Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via walk-up box office, online ticketing, phone reservations, and group sales, with staycation packages co-marketed through Hyatt Place Long Island/East End and boutique lodging partners (Preston Hotel, Waterfront Suite). The company operates as part of a broader destination ecosystem that includes Treasure Cove Resort Marina (120 slips), Atlantis Banquets & Events, and Seaside Grill. Marketing reaches audiences through the website, email newsletter, social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), seasonal promotions, and partner referrals. The company is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums, is a Monterey Bay Seafood Watch partner, and was named to Forbes Top 50 Best Places to Travel (2023) and Parents Magazine Top 10 Aquariums for Children.

Name

Long Island Aquarium

Legal name

Long Island Aquarium

Website

https://longislandaquarium.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Long Island Aquarium is a privately-held marine attraction in Riverhead, NY, operating 100+ exhibits including a 120,000-gallon shark tank and one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the Western Hemisphere. It serves families, K-12 school groups, wedding and event clients, and regional tourists through admission, premium encounters, memberships, and an on-site resort ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquarium and Marine Life Attraction

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Marine life exhibits
• Aquarium attractions
• Interactive animal encounters
• Marine education programs
• Event venue hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverhead

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Day passes for aquarium entry, with pricing based on age categories (Children $37.50, Adults $52.50, Seniors $38.50). Children 2 and under free. Revenue from walk-up and online ticket sales.
2. Aquatic Adventures & Animal Encounters: Premium paid experiences including Shark Dive ($249), Penguin Encounter ($89), Sea Lion Encounter ($185), Seal Encounter ($185), Swimming with Mermaids ($52), and various animal selfie opportunities. These add-on experiences generate additional per-person revenue on top of general admission.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Individual, Couple, Family, Single Parent, Grandparent) at different price points ($75-$355). Includes free unlimited admission, member discounts at café and gift shop, and discounts on programs.
4. Event Hosting (Weddings & Private Events): Venue rental and catering for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and other private celebrations through Atlantis Banquets & Events. Includes various event spaces (Coliseum Room, Shark Room, Riverside Pavilion) and customized menus.
5. Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat: 90-minute educational boat tours down the Peconic River for $42 per person (does not include aquarium admission). Additional revenue stream independent of general admission.
6. Food, Beverage & Retail: On-site Aquarium Café, Seaside Grill restaurant, and gift shops (City Treasures, Enchanted Gifts) selling souvenirs, gifts, and aquarium merchandise. Food service available seasonally.
7. Gift Cards & Commemorative Pavers: Gift cards available in increments from $25-$150 with no expiration date. Commemorative paver bricks sold for $179.99 for display on aquarium grounds.
8. Group/School Bookings: Special group rates for 15+ guests (September-June: $19.66/person; July-August: $26.91/person). Includes educational programs, behind-the-scenes tours, and group lunch options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Long Island Aquarium operates a marine life and wildlife attraction in Riverhead, NY, offering general admission access to 100+ exhibits including a 120,000-gallon shark habitat and one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the Western Hemisphere. The facility layers paid add-on experiences (Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, Seal Encounter, Stingray Encounter, Snorkel Adventure, Swim with Mermaids, Behind the Scenes Tours), educational programs aligned with New York State Learning Standards, birthday party and wedding/event hosting, an Atlantis Explorer tour boat, annual memberships, gift cards, and on-site food, beverage, and retail operations.

Product overview

Long Island Aquarium is an interactive marine life and wildlife facility offering a unified platform of educational and recreational experiences. The core product is general aquarium admission providing access to over 100 exhibits including the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Habitat (120,000-gallon tank), coral reef displays, touch tanks, and daily animal presentations. This core is supplemented by paid add-on modules including aquatic adventures (Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, Stingray Encounter, Snorkel Adventure, Swim with Mermaids), animal interaction experiences (Penguin Selfie, Sea Lion Selfie, Bug Encounter, Critter Connection, Porcupine Connection), guided tours (Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat, Behind the Scenes, Fish Feeding), educational programs (Toddler Programs, Summer Adventure Days, Virtual Field Trips, Outreach Programs, School Group Programs), event services (Birthday Parties, Weddings, Booze Cruises), and retail/membership offerings (Gift Cards, Annual Memberships, Commemorative Pavers). Related brands include Atlantis Banquets & Events for event hosting, Treasure Cove Resort Marina for water activities, and affiliated hotels (Hyatt Place, Preston Hotel, Waterfront Suite) for overnight accommodations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aquarium General Admission Full-day admission to the Long Island Aquarium featuring 100+ exhibits including the Lost City of Atlantis Shark Habitat, coral reef displays, touch tanks, the Butterflies Bugs & Bees Habitat, Sea Lion Shows, and daily animal presentations. Priced by age category (Children $37.50, Adults $52.50, Seniors $38.50).
• Shark Dive Cage diving experience in the 120,000-gallon Lost City of Atlantis Shark Habitat with Sand Tiger and Nurse Sharks, available for ages 12 and up at $249 per person.
• Penguin Encounter 30-minute up-close interactive experience with African Penguins for ages 8 and up at $89 per person plus tax.
• Sea Lion Encounter Interactive adventure with Sea Lions and their caregivers, available Thursdays and Sundays at 10am for ages 10 and up at $185 per person plus tax.
• Seal Encounter Hands-on experience helping with seal feedings and training sessions, available Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30am for ages 10 and up at $185 per person plus tax.
• Stingray Encounter Swim or wade with and feed stingrays guided by educators, available Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays at 11am or 2pm for ages 10 and up.
• Snorkel Adventure Tropical snorkeling experience in the Shark Reef Lagoon, available various days for all ages (children must be out of diapers).
• Swim with Mermaids Swim with a live mermaid in the Shark Reef Lagoon surrounded by tropical fish, available Mondays and Fridays at multiple times for $52 per person plus tax.
• Penguin Selfie Souvenir photo opportunity with an African Penguin at $25 per photo (up to 4 people), available daily at 1:15pm.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free admission for birthday visitors within 7 days of their birthday with valid ID
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hyatt Place Long Island/East EndcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent waterfront hotel (100 suites) partnering for staycation packages that bundle hotel accommodation with aquarium tickets. The partnership creates a seamless visitor experience with Hyatt serving as the primary lodging partner for aquarium guests.
• Atlantis Banquets & EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent venue company operating within the Long Island Aquarium facility. Manages all wedding, corporate, and private event bookings. Offers multiple event spaces including Coliseum Room, Shark Room, Riverside Pavilion, and Sea Star Ballroom.
• Preston HotelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique 20-room hotel located directly across the street from the aquarium. Part of the extended family of properties, offering intimate accommodations for aquarium visitors and wedding guests.
• Treasure Cove Resort MarinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service 120-slip marina on the Peconic River adjacent to the aquarium. Part of the Long Island Aquarium family with seasonal canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals. Features amenities including pools, fitness center, and seasonal poolside bar & grill.
• Seaside GrillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterfront restaurant located behind Hyatt Place Long Island/East End, offering seasonal dining with views of the Peconic River. Named Dan's Papers Best Waterfront Restaurant 2022. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Long Island Canoe Kayak RentalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocated on the Peconic River behind the aquarium, offering canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddle board rentals. Seasonal guided tours available. Part of Treasure Cove Resort Marina.
• NY Marine Rescue CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine animal rescue organization located on aquarium grounds. Responds to strandings and rehabilitates marine animals. Affiliated with Riverhead Foundation.
• Four Leaf Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat. Credit union providing marketing support for the boat tour experience.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mystic Aquarium: Mid-sized regional aquarium in Mystic, CT offering marine mammal exhibits, interactive encounters, and educational programs. Closely comparable to Long Island Aquarium in scale, exhibit mix, and family/tourism positioning in the Northeast.
• Adventure Aquarium: Regional aquarium in Camden, NJ featuring a large shark tank, touch tanks, and animal encounters. Comparable to Long Island Aquarium in offering paid encounters (shark dives, animal interactions), school programs, and event hosting in the Northeast market.
• Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: Connecticut-based aquarium with a marine life focus and IMAX theater, offering school programs, boat excursions, and animal encounters. Comparable in regional Northeast positioning, education-driven revenue, and family tourism focus.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Florida aquarium focused on marine life rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Comparable in marine mammal and sea turtle exhibits, education programming, and emphasis on animal encounters as a core revenue driver.
• Jenkinson's Aquarium: Smaller New Jersey aquarium integrated with a boardwalk entertainment property. Comparable in scale and family-tourism positioning, with adjacent retail and entertainment offerings similar to Long Island Aquarium's property cluster.

Broad incumbents

• New York Aquarium: Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society at Coney Island, this is a significantly larger aquarium in the same metro region. Comparable in marine exhibits and conservation mission, but with greater institutional backing and metro foot traffic.
• National Aquarium: Larger, non-profit aquarium in Baltimore with broader geographic draw and major institutional backing. Comparable in marine exhibits, education programming, and animal encounters, but at materially greater scale and brand recognition.
• Shedd Aquarium: Major Chicago aquarium with extensive marine and freshwater exhibits and large institutional donor base. Comparable in animal encounter offerings and education programming, but operates at substantially larger scale.
• Tennessee Aquarium: Non-profit aquarium in Chattanooga with broad freshwater and saltwater exhibits. Comparable in animal encounter experiences, education programming, and event hosting, though not in direct geographic competition.

Regional players

• Long Island Children's Museum: Regional family attraction on Long Island focused on hands-on learning for children. Comparable as a family destination in the same geography that competes for school field trips, family outings, and birthday party bookings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=NbEDrHAGCjE
• Xx.com/LIaquarium

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Long Island Aquarium