Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Opens New Shark Center Provincetown

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s new Shark Center Provincetown will officially open to the public on Thursday, May 26 for the 2022 season.

Shark Center Provincetown is located in a newly renovated 3,100-square-foot space at 16 MacMillan Wharf, offering visitors an in-depth look at white sharks through interactive exhibits, videos and displays, as well as providing insight into groundbreaking local research.

The exhibit space has been designed to simulate an underwater experience through customized lighting, imagery and life-size shark models. Shark Center Provincetown also features a collection of shark jaws from various species found throughout New England, and an interactive “sand table” that shows how sharks and seals travel around the sandbars of the Outer Cape.

Shark Center Provincetown will be open through early October. Additional information, including hours of operation and admission costs, can be found at www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/shark-center-provincetown.

“The opening of Shark Center Provincetown represents a monumental milestone for the Conservancy and its efforts to support scientific research, offer educational programs, improve public safety and inspire conservation of white sharks,” said Cynthia Wigren, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. “We look forward to engaging with visitors to Provincetown to provide a memorable educational experience. Our exhibits will directly connect visitors to ongoing research projects, and several have hands-on interactive components.”

The Conservancy will continue to operate Shark Center Chatham, which welcomes thousands of visitors annually on a year-round basis. It also offers seasonal white shark charters and receiver tours from Chatham Harbor. 

“Having the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy located on MacMillan Pier adds another jewel to the Provincetown ‘blue economy crown,’” said State Representative Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown. “I have been proud to partner with the Conservancy and the State Division of Marine Fisheries to secure funding to help support their important research. In the most recent budget, I secured $100,000 for tags, buoys and other equipment. Their research findings ultimately inform and drive decisions regarding public safety.”

“I welcome the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy to Provincetown and greatly appreciate the investment in our community and its blue economy,” said Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse. “The Conservancy joins other respected organizations such as Center for Coastal Studies that position Provincetown as a hub for innovative marine research and education on the East Coast. I am confident that Shark Center Provincetown will quickly become a popular destination on the waterfront.”