Vancouver wouldn’t be half the city that it is without its extensive roster of parks and gardens. Stanley Park is the centrepiece, one of the largest parks in any urban centre in North America. The attractions within Stanley Park are numerous, and among the most popular is the Vancouver Aquarium, the largest in Canada. From Beluga whales to caiman, jellies to jacks, more than 8,000 creatures from the ends of the earth, and the depths of the sea, call the Vancouver Aquarium home.
Wonder at the mesmerizing red-gilled sea slug and the bizarre face of a shy wolf-eel. Imagine yourself in Tropical Pacific waters surrounded by brightly coloured coral reef fishes. Search through dense jungle foliage to find the amazing red-eyed treefrog. Immerse yourself in the unexpected richness of the Canadian Arctic. Meet the Amazon’s green anaconda and pink-toed tarantula. Delight in the astounding variety of B.C.’s spineless wonders, from giant Pacific octopi to red rock crabs. Plunge under the swamp bubble and glimpse a frog’s eye view of wetland creatures. Discover the blacktip reef shark’s hunting ground in the Micronesian lagoon exhibit.
The Pacific Northwest: See a playful sea otter busily clean his fur, while an octopus glides silently from crack to crevasse. In the North Pacific Habitat, scuba divers feed hungry halibut, and harvest fast-growing kelp.
Arctic Canada: The creak of ice and the eerie language of whales surround you as you submerge into this cold blue world. Come face-to-face with curious beluga whales or satisfy your own curiosity about our fragile northern environment with fascinating interactive exhibits.
The Amazon Rainforest: Scan the steamy jungle for the brilliant scarlet ibis and snoozing sloths. If the sky darkens and you feel the rumble of thunder, don’t worry. It’s just one of the hourly rainstorms that is created. Stand back and watch how the animals react as they sense the approaching storm.
See Lions: Yes, Steller sea lions at the Vancouver Aquarium. Put yourself in the shoes of a marine mammal researcher trying to solve the puzzle of the disappearing Steller sea lions. The boisterous sea lions at the Vancouver Aquarium are part of an international research project designed to uncover the answer to this challenging puzzle.
The Indonesian Reef Exhibit: Step inside a living rainbow. Indonesia’s Bunaken National Park, home to world famous dive sites, is re-created behind a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window.
See brilliant angelfish dart for cover in the reef, and learn why coral environments are in danger. Continue your adventure in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. It’s like scuba diving in Hawaii or Australia without getting wet, just watch out for the blacktip reef sharks.
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Giant Fishes on the Amazon: Imagine a whiskered catfish as large as a bulldog. Discover these impressive giants and other huge fish from the flooded forest, and find out how they are connected to the survival of the Amazon rainforest.
Join the flock at the Ducks Unlimited Canada Wetland Discovery Centre, which invites you to ‘wade’ into B.C. wetlands. Spot the unusual and interesting inhabitants that use the wetlands as their homes, nurseries, and restaurants. Look a Cyclops in the eye through a video microscope, dress-up to fit into a watery world, or come face-to-face with a tadpole in the indoor wetland. Waddle on down for lots of family fun.
For information about transportation, hours and rates, group bookings, the latest animal activities, special events, rentals and programs, call the Info Line 604-659-3474.
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is located just five minutes west of downtown Vancouver at 845 Avison Way in Stanley Park.
Public parking is available throughout Stanley Park – there are three parking lots near the Aquarium: Two on the east side, at the main entrance to Stanley Park, just past the Vancouver Rowing Club boathouse, and another on the west side of the Aquarium, at Beaver Lake Pass.
Express Bus to Stanley Park – It’s Free and Easy! This convenient service operates between downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park and is free of charge to all Horse-Drawn Tour and Aquarium customers. (Operating Daily March 15th – October 31st).
Translink offers regular service around the Vancouver area, running from 5 am to 2 am on most major routes.Take the #135 bus to Burrard Station (Burrard & Georgia). Take the #19 Bus to Stanley Park from downtown, (the only bus that stops inside Stanley Park). A One Zone ticket is $2.25 (subject to change).
Make your way to the Aquarium aboard a Double Decker bus tour. This may be just the way to get your head above traffic for a bird’s eye view of Vancouver’s city streets and Stanley Park! Tours run seasonally between April 21 – October 5, boarding every 40 minutes from most major tourist attractions and lodgings.
The Vancouver Trolley Company offers a fun and exciting ride to the Vancouver Aquarium aboard their classic turn of the century trolleys. Tours run daily from March 15th – October 31st, every 30 minutes and every 60 minutes the remainder of the year from 15 stops around Vancouver, including stops at some of the major downtown hotels. No reservations are required. Take your time, and after you’ve enjoyed your visit at the Aquarium, hop back on board to continue on your tour to other great attractions.
Getting around Stanley Park without a car is easy with the Stanley Park Shuttle bus service. The shuttle bus service stops at 15 of Stanley Park’s most popular locations on a 12-minute schedule, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm seven days a week during July, August and the first week of September. This is a fun, convenient way to experience Stanley Park. For a nominal fee, park visitors can ride all day, getting off and on the shuttle at their pleasure.
Contact Details:
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison Way
Vancouver, BC
V6G 3E2
Info-line: 604-659-3474
Phone: 604-659-3400
Fax: 604-659-3515
Mailing Address:
Vancouver Aquarium
P.O. Box 3232
Vancouver, BC
V6B 3X8
