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While planning a visit to Vancouver, Canada you’ll come across some of its most popular attractions. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, and of course the Vancouver Aquarium. But how ethical is this popular tourist site, what are the Vancouver Aquarium hours, and what different types of tickets are on offer?
As a Vancouver local who has visited the Vancouver Aquarium many times, let me guide you through one of my favorite places in the city to spend time.
With everything from local sea life, environmental awareness and cute fuzzy sea otters, here’s why the Vancouver Aquarium is worth checking out on your trip to British Columbia.
Where Is The Vancouver Aquarium?
The Vancouver Aquarium is located in the middle of the city’s world famous Stanley Park. While there are a lot of incredible things to do in Stanley Park, the aquarium might be the most popular.
Just a short walk from the seawall, and all its magnificent city views, the aquarium sits on a couple of acres surrounded by lush green BC forest. While not exactly in the downtown core, the Vancouver Aquarium is relatively easy to get to for visitors.
GETTING TO THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM BY CAR
There are lots of parking lots throughout Stanley Park. For the aquarium you’re best to park either at the large parking lot adjacent to the aquarium along Avison Way or in the parking lot by the Stanley Park Information Booth which is only a few extra minutes walk away.
- Driving to Stanley Park from downtown Vancouver will take about 5 or 10 minutes.
- Keep in the right lane going down Georgia Street or risk going over the Lion’s Gate Bridge.
- Parking in Stanley Park is approximately $10 for around 3 hours – on weekends and holidays it maxes out at $10.45 for the day.
- Your parking fee allows you to park in any Stanley Park parking lot, not just the one you’re in.
- REMEMBER that Stanley Park has a one way road system, so you’ll have to drive around it to get out.
GETTING TO THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM BY BUS
There’s only one bus that goes to Stanley Park and that is Bus #19 which will be marked as “Stanley Park”. The bus travels along Pender Street through Chinatown, and downtown, then merges onto West Georgia Street. You can pick it up every block or two along this route.
- Bus travel can be paid in cash (exact change only), by tapping in with a Debit or Credit card, or by using a pre-loaded Compass Card transit pass.
- No need to tap out when leaving the bus, it’s a set fare for all buses.
- The bus costs $3.20 per trip if paying by cash or with debit/credit card; $2.60 if using pre-loaded Compass Card; or $2.15 for concessions paying either cash or Compass Card.
- Take Bus #19 all the way to the very last stop in Stanley Park. From here it’s only a 5-minute walk to the aquarium and it’s well signposted.
GETTING TO THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM ON FOOT
Don’t have a car? Not one for public transport, or just want to take advantage of a nice day in Vancouver? Don’t worry, it’s easy to get to the aquarium on foot too.
- The most direct way is right down West Georgia Street from the center of downtown.
- My favorite way is a nicer route along the seawall. Mountains and ocean on one side, interesting high rise buildings on the other, and beautiful green space dotted in between.
- From Vancouver Convention Centre (opposite the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel) walk down the steps at Cactus Club Café restaurant. You’ll see the park in the distance – keep walking along the path towards it.
- Once in the park turn left at the Information Booth where the horse and carriage rides are and you’ll spot a sign for the aquarium a hundred meters in.
How Much Does The Vancouver Aquarium Cost?
The Vancouver Aquarium might not be the cheapest Vancouver attraction, but it’s also by no means the most expensive. In my opinion the price is what you make of it – you really can spend all day here if you want to.
The price is variable from $41 to $56, depending on when you book. Weekends are a little more expensive, weekdays and off season hours are the cheapest.
Child pricing starts at $26 and students/seniors at $36. If you’re local, you might think about an annual pass for $80.
Some Vancouver Aquarium hours are busier than other times, so booking a timed entry ticket is recommended. You can usually still buy tickets at the door, but may not get immediate access during busier times. Weekends and school holidays will often be really busy.
As well as regular tickets, the Vancouver Aquarium has a number of special events throughout the year. Fish & Sips, a recurring special event on select dates, is adults only, after hours, and with alcohol for sale. There are also special dinner events throughout the year for adults only which are worth checking out.
For a unique visitor experience you can book a Sea Otter Encounters visit. For an additional $420 (for up to 5 people) you can get up close and personal with the sea otters.
Help serve them lunch, learn about them from their keepers and get to see them from a unique vantage point that the general public don’t see.
NEURODIVERSITY TRAVEL TIP: The Vancouver Aquarium hours for neuro-diverse individuals occur once a month for an entire morning. During this time the aquarium limit light and sound to make it a much more enjoyable experience without sensory overload. Even if visiting outside of these hours, ask Guest Services for a sensory comfort kit.
How Long Do You Need At The Vancouver Aquarium?
At the Vancouver Aquarium hours can fly by with so much to see. You can easily spend an entire morning, afternoon or make a whole day of it. At the very least I would recommend spending at least 1.5 to 2 hours to see a good part of the aquarium.
There are food services in the aquarium – more on that later – or you can bring in your own picnic if you are planning to spend the day.
There’s a portion of the Vancouver Aquarium outdoors, but much of it can be seen indoors too – so don’t let the weather put you off visiting. In fact, one of my favorite Vancouver rainy day activities is spending time at the aquarium – and warming up in the tropical section.
Vancouver Aquarium Hours Of Operation
The Vancouver Aquarium hours of operation vary by season. In the summer they will be open later than in the winter when it’s quieter and they close a little earlier.
Winter hours are usually 10am to 5pm every day, and summer hours start at 9:30am and open until 6pm or 7pm (it has varied the last couple of years, so check the Calendar when purchasing tickets for accurate times).
Vancouver Aquarium hours on holidays are usually not any different from a regular day. Yes, that even includes Christmas Day. But why? Well, all the animals need to be looked after anyway so there are always staff there. So if you want to spend Christmas Day with the sea otters you absolutely can.
Conservation At The Vancouver Aquarium
One of my favorite things about the Vancouver Aquarium is just how in tune they are with conservation efforts and environmentally sustainable practices. Zoos and aquariums get a bad reputation sometimes, but the Vancouver Aquarium is no Sea World.
Whales and dolphins have been housed at the Vancouver Aquarium in the past. In fact way back when they had Orcas. But as the animals passed, and as times changed, they have moved away from keeping these kinds of animals.
The Vancouver Aquarium no longer has, and will no longer keep, cetaceans. If you want to see whales and dolphins, I’d suggest taking a whale watching trip from Vancouver.
There are exhibits about global warming, and the melting polar ice caps and how this impacts sea life. Throughout the aquarium you will also see attention focused on the dangers of one time plastics and harm they cause to animals in our oceans.
- The Vancouver Aquarium has refillable water bottle stations with clean, fresh drinking water
- Their vending machines only sell cans, no plastic bottles of any kind
- The aquarium collects and reuses rainwater and uses compostable materials in the cafés
- Their building is LEED Gold certified – focusing on environmentally friendly design
The best thing about the Vancouver Aquarium? They are a certified Marine Mammal Rescue organization. If animals can be released, they will be.
That goes for sealions, seals and sea otters that they help rescue and rehabilitate. Of course some animals, especially those orphaned or badly injured, remain as residents at the aquarium where they are very well looked after.
I’ve donated for years to the marine mammal rescue at the aquarium, and have seen just how much good work they’ve done taking care of rescued animals.
Top Things To See At The Vancouver Aquarium
At the Vancouver Aquarium hours can slip away as you wander from room to room, display to display, learning, interacting and viewing some of the most amazing sea creatures. Here are a few of my top picks for where to spend your time:
Sea Otters
They’re everybody’s favorite cute and cuddly little critters. Watch them holding hands, playing in the water, or nibbling their favorite snack with their adorable little paws.
The sea otters here were all rescued as orphaned pups and have now found their new home here after being designated not releasable.
Even if you don’t want to pay for the Sea Otter Encounters you will still get plenty of face time with the aquariums most beloved animals.
Their favorite game is to get their frozen seafood out of blocks of ice – keep an eye on their paws as they juggle their favorite food.
TOP OTTER TRIVIA: Did you know they eat up to 25% of their body weight each day, and since they have a love of the nicer seafood, it can cost the aquarium over $35,000 per year to feed one otter.
Sealions and Seals
You might hear the sealions before you see them. Loud belching noises reverberate around the aquarium as they communicate with each other – or express their feelings.
There is more than one sealion habitat at the Vancouver Aquarium – and you can even see them from below in one of the underwater viewing areas.
Here in Canada’s Arctic Gallery you can also learn more about them and other aquatic animals not kept at the aquarium.
The seals are typically rescued harbor seals from around the BC Coast. Their cute big wide eyes will make you really happy they no longer have to worry about being Orca food. Check out the underwater BC Wild Coast gallery for mug shots of all the rescued seals and their adorable names.
Jellyfish
If you arrived in Vancouver by plane you may have seen some wonderfully unique things at YVR Vancouver Airport. That includes the remote jellyfish exhibit by the Vancouver Aquarium. But despite the sea otter cuteness appeal, the jellyfish appear to be the star attraction at the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.
There’s a main exhibit of Pacific Sea Nettle jellyfish in the central area of the aquarium. Their orange red hues with twirling tentacles are mesmerizing against the bright blue backdrop in their tank.
Over in the exploration gallery you’ll find even more jellyfish including tiny moon jellies and so much more info on these curious invertebrates.
BC Coast Sealife
Living in British Columbia, it’s incredible to see what sea life we have in our waters. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the Treasures of the BC Coast exhibit.
Here, multiple tanks contain recreated natural habitats from different regions of the BC coastlines. And in them, you’ll see some of the most wonderful creatures that live there.
See everything from fancy fish, to sea anemones and (if you’re lucky) the Giant Pacific Octopus. Learn about the unique environments that us people in BC are fortunate to have in our backyards.
Amazon & Tropical Zone
One of my favorite areas of the Vancouver Aquarium is the Amazon Tropical Zone. Part of that is because it’s a wonderful place to warm up on a cold winter day when you’re just getting feeling back in your hands from wandering around Stanley Park. But also, because of the fantastic species of fish, birds and mammals it houses.
Check out the fearsome piranhas, or any number of creepy crawlies. Seek out the two toed sloth in the trees above the rays, tropical birds and turtles. Or try to keep up with the adorable tiny monkeys right around the corner from the massive anaconda exhibit.
The Amazon Tropical Gallery has some diverse animals and is one of the most interesting places in the aquarium. Staff are often on hand to answer questions and share a little knowledge about some of the cool animals you’ll see.
Frogs and Amphibians
Under the main atrium, at the base of the massive fish tank you can look into from above, are the aquarium’s amphibious inhabitants.
From local frogs and toads to newts and salamanders there’s lots to see. Frogs of every color: bright blue to yellow to red and more; tropical frogs and native species.
See why frogs are a really important part of our ecosystem and learn about one of the residents who can even grow their own limbs back.
TOP AQUARIUM VISITOR TIP: There’s a smaller gift shop down here that is often a little quieter than the main lobby-level gift shop. At the other end of the frog exhibit you’ll find lots of seating and rest areas – perfect for recharging or breaking out the packed lunch.
Lots of Fish
It wouldn’t be much of an aquarium without fish now would it? At the Vancouver Aquarium hours can be spent looking at the unique fish alone. From big to small, tropical to freshwater.
See the huge Pacific sturgeons – and keep an eye out for divers who sometimes go into the tank. Wander through to the tropics and there you can spot Nemo and all his friends including Dory. Clownfish, turtles, sea anemones and even sharks.
The large shark tank has smaller shark species and rays. The rounded edge of the tank means you can sit on the bench and look up as the sharks swim almost over you.
There are beautiful fish of every color, and weird and wacky fish that are worth checking out. You’ll be kept busy for a while looking at them all.
What Else Does The Vancouver Aquarium Have?
The Vancouver Aquarium is mostly all about its special aquatic residents, but that’s not all there is. Here are a few other things to make sure you see, do or check out during your visit:
FOOD OPTIONS
The Courtyard Café and Coffee Bar is close to the entrance. They serve good food, light snacks, treats and hot and cold drinks.
In the winter warm up with a hot chocolate – Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Festival is one of the best winter activities in the city and you can often find fancy hot chocolates in even fancier mugs to take home.
Outdoors near the sealions is a takeaway bar & grill with hot food, snacks and drinks. It’s usually only open weekends.
IMAX-STYLE THEATER
The 4-D theater shows well known films as well as educational shows about some of the animals you’ll see here, and the ocean or conservation in general.
Theater shows are included in your ticket but check times as soon as you get there and arrive early to make sure you get a seat.
GIFT SHOPS
The main gift shop is opposite the café on the way out, and the smaller gift shop is near the frogs.
Buy sustainable items for the home including reusable straws and unique water bottles; get a t-shirt or pair of socks with your favorite animal; or splurge for some locally produced artwork.
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS
Head on over to the touch pools outside by the otters. Here you can (gently) get to know some of our local sea life like starfish and sea cucumbers.
Indoors, near the jellyfish and 4D theater, there’s an interactive wet lab to visit. Interact with more wildlife in here in small groups, and learn from staff on hand to explain what you are seeing.
Where Else Can I See Wildlife In Vancouver?
Interested in seeing some local (or non-local) animals on your trip to Vancouver? Here are a few other places you might want to check out:
- GROUSE MOUNTAIN – At the top of popular Vancouver hot spot Grouse Mountain you’ll find a grizzly bear refuge with two resident bears, Grinder and Coola;
- BLOEDEL CONSERVATORY – A unique biodome in Queen Elizabeth park – here you’ll find tropical birds and fish surrounded by exotic plants;
- WHALE WATCHING TOUR – Vancouver, being by the coast, has a lot of resident and transient whales in its waters. Book a whale watching tour from Granville Island or nearby Steveston to try and catch a glimpse of some Humpbacks or Orcas;
Vancouver Aquarium: Hours & Hours Of Fun
Whether you’re in Vancouver for a few days or a longer, the Vancouver Aquarium is an activity you should consider. The price of entry isn’t the cheapest, but then nothing in Vancouver is. You will, however be able to spend a good portion of the day here so value for money is high.
Adorable sea otters, fascinating jellyfish, informative environmental guides and stellar conservation efforts. The Vancouver Aquarium has it all. The work they do as a marine mammal rescue center gets my full support.
Travelling without kids? Plan your visit around one of the special events with an adults only evening visit like Fish and Sips. That way you can experience the aquarium when it’s a little quieter with fellow grown-ups.
Aquariums and zoos are often thought of in a negative way, however there are really good places out there that truly care for the animals they look after. The Vancouver Aquarium is one of them.
The conservation work the Vancouver Aquarium does, and the steps they’ve taken in the right direction in recent years, makes me more than comfortable in recommending it as a must-visit attraction in Vancouver. See for yourself why the aquarium is one of my happy places in Vancouver.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited the Vancouver Aquarium on a recent visit? What would you most like to see on your trip?
It took me 7 years of living here before I got around to visiting the aquarium, but I have to admit I LOVED it when I finally got there. I am glad that they have the marine mammal rescue center too.
I should have waited and looked out for fish and sips- that sounds like a great idea!
I really like how the Vancouver Aquarium has worked so hard to offer an ethical experience – that they don’t keep cetaceans and are certified to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals. And it’s lovely to see that they also consider human visitors – the neurodiverse hours are a great idea. The annual pass looks like good value as well. It definitely looks worth splurging for a sea otter encounter – they are adorable! We do try to make sure that if we visit zoos or aquariums, they are ethical, so on the basis of this post, we’d add a visit on a trip to Vancouver.
I have always been a fan of the Aquarium and hold a membership. Their adult nights are always great fun.
You’ve done an excellent job of presenting the Vancouver Aquarium. Their work through the Marine Mammal Rescue program is truly admirable. I think my favourite exhibit is the otters. They are always adorable.
Lyn | http://www.ramblynjazz.com
I’d love to visit this aquarium the next time we’re in Canada. Thanks for the resource, which I pinned to refer back to for a future trip.
I have been to Vancouver twice on business trips. Unfortunately on both occasions, I didn’t have any time to see the sites.
I really enjoyed this post. Who knew that sea otters were so expensive to feed ? That was a great piece of trivia.
It’s great to hear that the aquarium has so many conservation initiatives. Your photographs are all great, particularly the ones with the jellyfish and the frogs.
I’d love to visit the aquarium if I get the chance to visit Vancouver again.
It’s great to read that they are taking a distance from housing whales and dolphins. It is just not ethical and better to support marine conservation and wildlife research than trying to make these animals suffer in small tanks. Maybe they will expand their otter enclosures. These are just too cute and I can see why a special encounter with them is a popular activity at the Vancouver Aquarium. It is wise to opt for the annual pass if one stays longer in the area as it would already pay back from a third visit. I also appreciate the neurodivergent quiet hours. Even though I am fine with normal services, I may have hopes high that during those hours there are less families and screaming children around, so this is a great initiative by the Aquarium.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I don’t typically visit aquariums on my travels, but I love hearing that they have many conservation initiatives. That’s my biggest concern with zoos and aquariums. However, when they put their facility to good use that could really help animals in the wild, I’m all for it!
Fish and Sips sounds awesome and I would very much sign up! As a solo traveler, i’m wary on going to places with a lot of young kids running around, mostly because I feel out of place. Even if I went with a friend, I would feel the same way, so it’s good to see they offer something for adults to enjoy. Price of admission appears steep on its face, but it does seem like it includes most if not all of the exhibits, and the IMAX theatre so that’s a good trade off. Also, good to see that they seem to allow outside food, and have refillable water stations for water bottles, which is also great to see and it’s line with what they preach! The last time I was at an aquarium was several years ago, and I remember being fascinated watching the sea otters and seals, and from the pictures, it appears they have a lot of room to move around.
Red Solo Traveler (www.redsolotraveler.com)
I usually do not like to visit aquariums as I prefer a natural habitat. However, this one is cool if one wants to educated their children.
Thanks for your blog post. It reminded me of my wonderful time in Vancouver. I enjoyed the aquarium when I was there and it is one of the best of I have ever been too. Vancouver is a wonderful city and I love it so much.