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
An impressive and well designed aquarium featuring a diverse collection of marine life and reptiles. While the building isn’t huge, it’s perfectly sized for an excellent experience where you can explore and learn about different kind of species from around the world.
Ron - 2 weeks ago
A fantastic experience! The staff were really friendly, there is a lot of variety of animals and things to see, plus the facts to each exhibit are really interesting and fun to read! The gift shops are really cool, it is really easy to buy too many things! I would love to visit again
Peter Siapno - a month ago
Great sea otter program by Vanessa! Super engaging and loved getting to know more about the otters. Also really enjoyed the seal feeding and getting to know more about the rescues! The entire aquarium was a blast, got to see so many amazing creatures, the pacific and tropical sections are beautiful. Highly recommend getting tickets online, and they have a great student discount. 10/10 would recommend for a great half day trip.
Jessica Chen - 3 months ago
A decently sized aquarium. I would say you can expect to spend up to three hours here. Be sure to catch the Sea Lion show and the 4D movie. As for parking, I was able to get a great spot by arriving about 40 minutes before opening. They actually let us in before the official opening time, which was a nice bonus. I found the aquarium more memorable than the one in Seattle. Being situated inside Stanley Park is also a big plus. As a heads-up, if you’re visiting with multiple people, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a Platinum Membership rather than individual tickets.
Johnson - a month ago
It's an excellent place to visit as long as it's not too busy. On the smaller side compared to other aquariums I've been to but there's lots of small exhibits for the animals they take care of. Definitely recommend visiting on a weekday to avoid the crowds, and if you live in the area, maybe consider buying a yearly membership as it pays for itself after 2-3 visits and the single day passes are very expensive.
Millie M. - a month ago
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