Vancouver Aquarium
Discover the wonders of the ocean at Canada's largest aquarium, located in the heart of beautiful Stanley Park.
Nestled within the lush greenery of Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is one of the city's most popular attractions. As a dedicated centre for marine research, conservation, and animal rehabilitation, the Aquarium offers an experience that is as educational as it is entertaining. It is home to over 65,000 animals, from playful sea otters and majestic sea lions to colourful tropical fish and frogs, providing a fascinating look into the diverse life found in our planet's waters.
Why Visit the Vancouver Aquarium?
- Incredible Marine Life: Get up close with thousands of aquatic species in galleries that transport you from the BC coast to the Amazon rainforest.
- Focus on Conservation: Learn about vital ocean conservation and marine mammal rescue efforts. The Aquarium is a non-profit, so your visit supports this important work.
- Playful Sea Otters: The rescued sea otters are a highlight for many visitors, famous for their charming and playful antics.
- Location in Stanley Park: The Aquarium's setting makes it easy to combine your visit with a walk or cycle along the famous seawall or a visit to other park landmarks.
What to See & Do
- Steller's Bay: Watch the powerful Steller sea lions glide through the water in this impressive underwater viewing gallery.
- The Tropics: Step into a warm, humid gallery to see colourful fish, sharks, and even a walk-through bat cave.
- Treasures of the BC Coast: Discover the amazing diversity of life found right here in British Columbia's local waters.
- 4D Experience Theatre: Engage all your senses in this immersive theatre that combines a 3D film with special effects like wind and mist.
- Daily Talks & Feedings: Check the daily schedule for expert talks and feeding times, which provide fascinating insights into the animals and their care.
Food & Drink Options
- The Aquarium has several food and beverage options, including the Courtyard Cafe and Coffee Bar, offering a range of meals, snacks, and drinks.
- You can also bring your own food and enjoy it in the outdoor picnic areas within Stanley Park, just outside the Aquarium.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Buy Tickets Online: Tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific time slot. Book ahead to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
- Check the Daily Schedule: Plan your visit around the daily talks and feeding times to get the most out of your experience. The schedule is available on the Aquarium's website.
- A Full Day Out: Combine your visit with a walk around the famous Stanley Park seawall for a memorable and pleasant day.
Nearby Attractions
- Stanley Park: The Aquarium is located within the park, which offers trails, beaches, totem poles, and the famous Seawall.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes. Tickets must be purchased from the official website in advance.Vancouver Aquarium Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Phone: (778) 655-9554
Official Website: Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
What a fantastic place for adults the same as for children. Very nice, you can see animals in their natural habitat. We could see a trained doplhin to do a lot of acrobatic stuff. Definitely worth visiting and spending some hours on the fantastic place. Also very interesting a place showing butteflies and frogs.
Oto Stahl - in the last week
The Vancouver Aquarium is such a beautiful and inspiring place to visit. It’s not only fun, but also incredibly educational for kids and families. The exhibits are engaging, the marine life is amazing, and everything is very well maintained. There’s even a 4D experience included with your ticket, which makes the visit even more exciting, especially for kids. The food was surprisingly good too, which is a big plus when you spend several hours there. They also offer memberships, which is perfect if you plan to visit more than once. It’s definitely a place we want to come back to. Highly recommended!
Andreina Cova - 2 months ago
If you'd like to delve deeper into the mysteries of aquatic life, the Vancouver Aquarium is an excellent choice. I did my best to capture the unique spirituality and innate energy displayed by some of the creatures. Comparing the annual membership fee with single-entry tickets, I'd recommend the annual membership, as it's worth the price with just two visits a year and includes unlimited visits. Occasionally, during special events, Aquarium allows members bring one family member or friend for free. Remember to show your membership card at the food, coffee, and gift shops for discounts. The aquarium is located in the renowned Stanley Park. An earlier visit can also include a phytoncide-rich forest tour. Whether you're local or from afar, it's a relaxing and stress-relieving trip. Bringing children along will also enrich and satisfy their curiosity. Thank you.
Arthur Lin - 2 weeks ago
The Vancouver Aquarium was the perfect rainy Sunday main event. We spent about 4.5 hours, and it flew by.
What stood out most was how much the aquarium clearly cares about marine and aquatic life. From the spotless tanks to the educational talks and presentations, there was a strong emphasis on conservation and how visitors can help protect marine ecosystems.
The exhibits were beautifully designed, with tanks styled to reflect each species’ natural habitat.
Everyone in my family had a different favorite highlight. Mine was the 4DX movie, mainly because my son had the biggest smiles and laughs the entire time. Other favorites included the walrus presentations, bats, and sloths.
Nice added touches were the kids’ play area and enjoying hot chocolate at the café, which felt especially cozy on a rainy day.
If I had to mention a downside, it would be the price of the café food. That said, I understand it’s a captive venue unless you leave the aquarium.
Overall, we would absolutely go again and highly recommend visiting. For size reference, it’s larger than the Seattle Aquarium
M.Stuebe - a month ago
The best place to go for family outing. Went here with my wife and kids, and we had a blast! They took great care of all of the marine animals in the tank and they educated us about how marine biology works. Friendly staff, great people and awesome animals!
ORLANDO VICENTE - 2 weeks ago
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Directions
| Skytrain and Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Line | Burrard Station | 5 Minutes |
| Canada Line | Waterfront Station | 5 Minutes |
How to get to Vancouver Aquarium by Skytrain and Bus
From Burrard SkyTrain Station take the Burrard Street Exit. Walk to your left (north) along Burrard Street to West Pender. Cross to the far side of Pender and look for the westbound #19 Stanley Park Bus Stop to your left.
From Waterfront Station on the Canada Line exit onto Granville and walk uphill 1/2 block to West Pender. The #19 Stanley Park bus stop is westbound on Pender just before Granville.
Ride the #19 bus to its final stop at the Stanley Park bus loop. From there, follow the signs for the easy 5-minute walk to the Aquarium entrance.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Vancouver Aquarium:
Photo Gallery
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Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr

