Vancouver Aquarium

Discover the wonders of the ocean at Canada's largest aquarium, located in the heart of beautiful Stanley Park.

Sea Otters holding hands at Vancouver Aquarium
Sea Otters holding hands at Vancouver Aquarium cc licensed photo by mindluge

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 4.5 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating The Aquarium is AMAZING! It was so worth it! I wish we could go more times, so much to see and do. It was easy to walk around, didn't feel crowded and a bunch of plaques and maps showed how to get around the aquarium very easily. Enjoyed the food at the restaurant, they had healthier options, and an amazing deal of buying a mug with ice cream that was refillable and a souvenir at the same time! We saw so many animals, a bunch we hadn't seen before in our lives, it was so nice! The otter feeding was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced, seeing the care givers feeding each one, so cute!! The animals looked healthy and very well taken care of. The 4D show presented by David Attenborough was beautiful, worth it. I liked the amount of tanks, there were so many fishes and impressive animals, like the sloths, sharks, so many octopuses, and an amphibious space. Also enjoyed how big the seals area is. The whole aquarium is clean, and beautiful. Loved the gift shop. And the amount of educational information they have, a job of ecological education of success. We enjoyed our time immensely, and I will return when I come back to Vancouver.
Beatriz Mestre - a week ago

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5 Star Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) I visited the Vancouver Aquarium with my girlfriend for a date, and we had a great time together. The aquarium was fun to explore, and there was plenty to see throughout the visit. We enjoyed walking through the different exhibits and learning about the marine life. Everything was well organized, and it made for a relaxing and enjoyable day. It’s a great place for a date, a family outing, or anyone who enjoys animals and ocean life. We had a lot of fun and would happily visit again in the future.
Lione - 2 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating 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 - 4 months ago

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5 Star Rating Had a great time at the Vancouver Aquarium. There were lots of animals to see, and I really liked how active they all were during our visit. The exhibits were well done, and there was plenty to explore throughout the day. It was fairly busy, but it still felt enjoyable overall. The admission price was reasonable for everything included, and it made for a really fun experience.
Dylan - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Such a fun interesting and educational place. Love all the creatures big and small. Love the monkeys they are so cute. The sharks were super cool to see close up. It's been years since I last visited and I was very happy to be there. Jellyfish are so neat to watch them moving in the water and same with the rays.
Sushistew - a month ago

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Directions

Skytrain and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Expo LineBurrard Station5 Minutes
Canada LineWaterfront Station5 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.

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