Fins up for fun! Here’s something exciting to look forward to: Shark Week 2023! Shark Week is the Discovery Channel’s annual week-long TV event that spotlights these ferocious ocean predators. This year’s Shark Week kicks off on Sunday, July 23. Can you guess who the master of ceremonies will be this year? Drumroll, please…
It’s actor Jason Momoa! Yes, Aquaman. He’s following in the footsteps of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who was last year’s host. According to a media release from the Discovery Channel, Momoa is dedicated to protecting and preserving oceans.
“As the host of Shark Week, I am beyond excited to take you along on this journey,” Momoa said. “This project means more to me than a week of talking about sharks. It’s a chance for me to learn and share my connection to these amazing creatures. My love of sharks came long before my time as Aquaman – it began several generations before me.”
As easy and fun as it is to get captivated by Shark Week, many scientists want the public to know the challenges these charismatic fauna face in the wild and why it’s important to protect them.
“Sharks are an incredibly vital part of our ocean. And as a scientist and science communicator, I want to do everything in my power to spread what wonderful, interesting and unique creatures they are and how important the protection of these creatures is,” wildlife conservationist and biologist, Forrest Galante, told the Associated Press last year.
Galante’s show, “Island of Walking Sharks” aired during Shark Week last year. In the show, Galante travels to Papua New Guinea to show a species of shark using their fins to walk on land!
A full schedule of Shark Week programming is to be announced. But over the course of the week, Momoa will set up the jaw dropping events, epic journeys, first-time revelations and scientific findings that make up the series, which is now in its 35th year. Fans can expect adrenaline-inducing original hours of sharks from new and continuously explored destinations, all captured on-camera by Discovery’s science and research field teams.
Aquariums To Visit During Shark Week 2023
Sharks not only live in the ocean but in local aquariums, too! If you and your child are obsessed with Shark Week, why not visit a shark—or their close relative, the stingray—at a nearby aquarium? Browse this list of aquariums in the New York City area that are home to sharks, stingrays and other amazing aquatic animals.
New York Aquarium
602 Surf Ave., Coney Island, Brooklyn
nyaquarium.com • 718-265-3474
Hours: Check the website for information.
Admission: Check the website for information.
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium has so many amazing aquatic animals to see. Say hello to California sea lions, penguins, harbor seals and of course…sharks!
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
jenkinsons.com • 732-892-0600
Hours: Check the online calendar.
Admission: $16; $11, seniors; $10, ages 3-11; free for ages 2 and younger. In January, the aquarium offers half off admission Monday-Friday. Excludes weekends and holidays, cannot be combined with coupons and other discounts.
Exhibits like sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals give you the opportunity to get up close to animals from all over the world.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
adventureaquarium.com • 844-474-3474
Hours: Check the online calendar.
Admission: $27.99-47.99; $25.99-45.99, seniors; $18.99-37.99, ages 2-12
Discover the under-water world with over 15,000 aquatic animals. During Shark Week 2023, and all year long, see sharks, penguins, Nile hippos and so many other animals.
New Jersey Sea Life Aquarium
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Hours: Check the online calendar.
Admission: Tickets start at $26.99 for adults; $21.99 for kids, but check more price packaging information on the website.
Animals you can see include sharks, stingrays, jellies and more. Stop by around 11am to catch a feeding session with the rays.
Seaquest
101 Woodbridge Center Dr., Woodbridge Township, NJ
5065 Main St. Suite 1106, Trumbull, CT; 203-502-8337
visitseaquest.com • 732-283-2945
Admission: Check the website for information.
Enjoy a unique and fun aquarium experience. You’ll see stingrays, sharks, turtles, snakes and more.
Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT
mysticaquarium.org • 860-572-5955
Hours: 9am-6pm, daily. Hours are subject to change.
Admission: Check prices online.
Mystic Aquarium is home to thousands of species of aquatic animals, including marine mammals, fish, birds, invertebrates and reptiles. Exhibits include beluga whales, sea lions, seals, sharks, penguins and more.
Stay up to date on Shark Week 2023 at discovery.com.
Updated 6/26/23
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