Vancouver Aquarium
in Stanley Park
845 Avison Way
Vancouver, BC
Phone: (604) 659-3474
Fax: (604) 659-3515
http://www.vanaqua.org

Location:
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is near downtown Vancouver in Stanley Park. The easiest entry to reach the Aquarium is off Georgia Street. The Vancouver Aquarium is located just five minutes from downtown Vancouver in world-famous Stanley Park. There are many directions available on their web site, whether you are walking, taking public transit or driving from a specific are see http://www.vanaqua.org/visit_us/getting_here.html for more information.

General Information:
The Vancouver Aquarium, located in world-famous Stanley Park, is home to over 70,000 fascinating creatures. You'll come face-to-face with majestic beluga whales, acrobatic dolphins, seals, Steller sea lions and more!

In the Amazon rainforest, you’ll find free roaming animals including birds, lizards, tortoises, seasonal butterflies and two-toed sloths. Venture into the Tropic Zone where you’ll find sharks, moray eels and brilliantly coloured fish. Other highlights include jellies, octopus, daily whale and dolphin shows, shark dives and otter feeds. Ask about unique hands-on adventures where you can train and feed the beluga whales, otters and Steller sea lions. And be sure to visit their new building Aquaquest - the Marilyn Blusson Learning Centre.
A visit to the Aquarium can be a full day affair; if your kids have the interest and attention for such a long outing (right next door is the Children's Farmyard and Miniature Train to fill up the day). Otherwise, even an hour or two is worth the expedition and can provide good fun and learning.

Age Group:
All Ages! Of course the older the kid the more they will get out of educationally! I would say the best age is from about 1 ½ and up.

Babies: Bring your stroller (no rentals available) and get ready to "travel" from the Arctic to the Amazon. There are a number of floor to ceiling fish tanks (including the Beluga tank) and you can wheel the stroller right up to the edge of the glass. To see into some of the smaller tanks, you may need to take your baby out of the stroller (snakes, some frogs, etc.). Your baby will be intrigued by the colours and motion.

Toddlers: There is lots of space for toddlers to run around, especially around the whale tanks. There are interactive displays that younger toddlers may not get the benefit of the intended learning, but it's still fun and educational to touch, push, pull, turn and see the results. There are also some interesting optical illusions around the large, floor to ceiling tanks. Toddlers may also enjoy the various educational presentations (see older children section).
Older children: There are educational presentations throughout the day, from dolphin shows, beluga shows and Pacific Canada dive show (straight of Georgia presentation with a diver and an interpreter) to live touchpools in the Stanley Park shores exhibit, feeding sessions with the sea otters, seals and sea lion, and shark dives (ask to see the schedule). There are even special events for members such as sleepovers with the whales.

Hours of Operation:
September 4– June 30 9:30am - 5:30pm
July & August 9:30am - 7:00pm

*The Vancouver Aquarium is open 365 days of the year.
*The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is open 365 days of the year.
**The quietest time to visit is before 11 a.m or after 2:30 p.m.

Cost: (Currently)
Children: - Under 3 yrs Free admission.
Children – (4 yrs to 12 yrs) $11.95 per person
Adult: $19.95 per person
Senior/Youths/Students (13-28yrs) $13.95 per person

Parking rates:
April-September - $2/hr or $7/day.
Rates in effect 6 am to 9 pm daily.
October-March - $1/hr or $4/day.
Rates in effect 7 am to 6 pm daily.
Meters accept coins, Visa and Mastercard.

*Group rates of 10 or more are also available.
*Note that hours and admission prices are subject to change without notice.
*GST is included
*Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (19 & older)
*Avoid Waiting In Line! Buy pre-paid Admission tickets ahead of time during the summer and holidays to avoid waiting in line! Or become a Vancouver Aquarium member and use our Express entrance.
*Membership prices are available also great idea if you plan to go more than once!

What is there to Do and See?
There is so much to see! From Beluga Whale Shows, Dolphin Shows, Seal or Seal Lion Show, Sea Otter Feeds, learning about fish on the BC Coast, discover the mysteries of life underwater, family interactive programs available every day, critter corners, bird of prey talks, watch a puppet show, explore their Animal Care Hospital, and create fun arts and crafts in Clownfish Cove.

The Wild Coast
A series of walkways allows visitors to interact with a variety of marine mammals, including a Pacific white-sided dolphin, harbour seals, sea otters, and Steller sea lions. Kids love watching the performing sea otters and dolphins! Along the journey, naturalists are on hand to deliver a variety of hands-on activities, including live touch pools. Unique shows and experiences feature divers interacting with animals as well as training sessions with the dolphins, and the Steller sea lions.

Pacific Canada Pavilion
Features a 69,000-gallon (260,000-litres) exhibit highlighting marine life from the Strait of Georgia. The display brings visitors face-to-face with an underwater habitat filled with a vast web of plant and animal life. Divers mingle with thousands of schooling herring, salmon, crabs, kelp, sea stars, and other Pacific fishes. Sturgeon, wolf-eels, sea anemones, and more inhabit this exciting exhibit.

Tropic Zone
Blacktip reef sharks and moray eels are just a few of the animals that call the Tropic Zone home. Colourful fish abound in this new gallery highlighting warm water creatures from all over the globe. Features touch screens and new technology.

Arctic Canada
Come face-to-face with curious beluga whales or satisfy your own curiosity about the fragile Arctic environment with fascinating interactive exhibits. Find out how you can wade into the habitat with the Belugas, in our unique Beluga Encounters Program. Sleepovers with the whales are also available for groups.

Treasures of the BC Coast
Explore the diversity of life found in the underwater world of British Columbia. Watch as the giant pacific octopus glides silently from crack to crevasse. Stare with fascination as the moon jellies dance beneath reflective lights. Discover how all of these awe-inspiring exhibits are connected to geographical locations in BC with amazing panoramic photographs.

The Amazon Rainforest
Discover the giant fishes of the Amazon, amazing freshwater fishes that play a crucial role in the survival of the rainforest. Scan the steamy jungle for snoozing sloths. If the sky darkens and you feel the rumble of thunder, don’t worry it’s just one of the hourly rainstorms created in the caiman exhibit. Snakes, spiders, piranhas, and an electric eel all live in this wondrous gallery. Experience the wonder of thousands of free-flying tropical butterflies during the summer months.

Aquafest * NEW!
On November 6, the Aquarium opens Aquaquest - the Marilyn Blusson Learning Centre. This new green building includes a stimulating interactive gallery, an expanded children's play area, a theatre, an environmental newsroom, classrooms and a wet lab. You'll experience a whole new world of animal life!

Clownfish Cove *NEW!
This interactive play zone, designed to appeal primarily to children eight years of age and younger, features live animals such as seahorses, toads, and, of course, clownfish. A make-believe marine mammal rescue hospital has kids taking care of sick or injured seal pups. Horseshoe crabs are available for up close encounters in special touch pools. Puzzles, puppets, dress-up costumes, and crafts are also on hand to amuse the little ones. The goal is to help kids connect with the aquatic world - while they play.

Tips:
1. It's a good idea to bring snacks, but there are two places to buy food; the UpStream Cafe: The perfect spot to enjoy a beverage or relax with a casual meal. Daily menu include: Bagels, fruit salad, hotdogs, Hamburgers, macaroni & cheese, and chicken strips! The SubShop: Relax and enjoy a snack or beverage at the cappuccino bar while you browse the Aquarium gift shop.

2. If you plan to watch the Beluga show, note that there is splashing potential, especially if you sit in the splash zone. So choose your seating accordingly or bring some waterproof gear.

3. When you purchase your tickets, ask for a schedule of the day's shows and feedings so you don't miss the action. Or, plan your visit before you leave home by checking out the schedule on the Aquarium's website (http://www.vanaqua.org/visit_us/daily_events.html).

4. Strollers, wheelchairs, ATM Machine or food is available at the Aquarium, so if you forgot something the aquarium has lots of items you may need available to you! They also have lockers if you need to put some valuables away!

5. Parking is available adjacent to the Aquarium and throughout Stanley Park. If the adjacent lot is full, there are many options close-by:
*Near the Info Booth (4 minute walk).
*Near the Children’s Zoo and the Miniature Train (4 minute walk).
*In the Central Parking Lot off Pipeline Road (7 minute walk).

Parking rates:
April-September - $2/hr or $7/day.
Rates in effect 6 am to 9 pm daily.
October-March - $1/hr or $4/day.
Rates in effect 7 am to 6 pm daily.
Meters accept coins, Visa and Mastercard.

6. Nearby other activities is the Stanley Park Children’s Farmyard, the Waterpark and Miniature Railway.