Shark dive on Long Island: What to know

If “Jaws” raises the hair on your neck, stop reading now. But if you’re looking to get up close and personal with a shark, listen up.

Fifteen to 20 miles off Montauk, Capt. Chuck Wade — a 40-year veteran diver and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain — has been running shark dives for 23 seasons through his company, Sea Turtle Dive Charters. These dives offer a fish-eye view of Long Island’s abundant marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, whales, tuna and the stars of the show, sharks.

During the excursion, two people at a time enter a metal cage floating three to four feet below the surface of the water. Wade said sharks are lured over with small fish parts.

“For years we saw mainly mako and blue sharks,” he said. “The waters are changing, and we’re seeing more southern species like thresher, hammerheads and spinner sharks. We’ve already seen a few whites this season.”

Despite reports of sharks biting people in Long Island waters in recent years, Wade said he has not had any issues.

Dive participants are given safety briefings and can do a trial run before the sharks arrive. Wade said divers should be in good physical condition, able to swim and comfortable wearing a dive mask. All gear is provided.

The trip lasts about eight hours. Guests can stay on the boat if they wish, where they will still be able to see whales, dolphins and other marine animals, Wade said. And for those who do venture into the cage, Wade said they can let him know at any time that they want to come back up and board the boat.

The minimum age for the shark dive is 12.

Beau Campsey, 49, of Sag Harbor, said he took part in a shark dive last year. It was a present for his son’s 14th birthday and Campsey said he had planned to just observe, but succumbed to pressure from his son and his friends.

“The adrenaline rush is pretty insane,” he said. “I gave in, and I’m so glad I did. . . . It turned out to be the best day ever.”