Attraction
Stanley Park
Opened in 1888, Stanley Park covers about 405 hectares of forest, beaches and lakes on the Downtown peninsula, circled by an 8.8 km stretch of seawall.
Vancouver Aquarium
Opened in Stanley Park in 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has galleries from the Amazon to the BC coast, sea otters, a 4D theatre and a marine mammal rescue area.
At a glance
- Type
- Aquarium
- Area
- Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
- Official site
- vanaqua.org
Good to know
- 4D Theatre
- Café
- Gift shop
- Cashless
- Mobile app with showtimes
Why we recommend it
The Vancouver Aquarium opened in Stanley Park on 15 June 1956, six years after a group of University of British Columbia professors formed the Vancouver Public Aquarium Association. It was the first aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in 1975. The aquarium closed its doors to the public in 2020, during the pandemic, and reopened on 16 August 2021 under new owners, Herschend Family Entertainment, with Ocean Wise keeping its conservation work. Around 9.5 million litres of water are spread across 166 displays.
The galleries move from tropical waters to the cold coast of British Columbia. The Amazon Gallery and The Tropics cover warmer regions, while the Pacific Canada Pavilion and BC's Wild Coast focus on local sea life, including the giant Pacific octopus. There is a jellies gallery, the Clownfish Cove area for younger children and a small exhibit at YVR, the city's airport. Outside, the Marine Mammal Rescue pools hold harbour seals, sea lions and sea otters, and Steller's Bay is a research station for Steller sea lions, opened in 2017. The sea otters are among the most popular residents, and you can also watch them on the aquarium's online Sea Otter Cam.
Extras include the 4D Theatre, an Undersea Explorer VR experience, Wet Lab sessions and paid encounters that go behind the scenes. Special exhibitions change; the current one is a Dragons exhibit. The aquarium no longer keeps whales or dolphins: the last cetacean left in 2021, and federal law passed in 2019 bans new acquisitions.
This is an easy choice for families and a good wet-weather plan. Download the aquarium's mobile app before you go, as it shows talk and show times and has an interactive map. Daily tickets are sold online, and annual memberships are available for repeat visits. Since May 2026 the aquarium has been cashless, taking debit, credit, Apple Pay and Google Pay; cash-to-card kiosks in the Gift Shop and Courtyard Café can convert Canadian cash to a prepaid card. Opening hours vary, so check the dates and hours calendar on the website.
Food is available at the Courtyard Café, which serves sustainable seafood, and there is a gift shop. The aquarium is inside Stanley Park, close to the seawall, so it combines easily with a walk or a bike ride around the park.
Vancouver Aquarium FAQs
Where is the Vancouver Aquarium?
It is at 845 Avison Way inside Stanley Park, close to the seawall.
When did the aquarium open?
It opened on 15 June 1956.
What are the opening hours?
Hours vary by date, so check the dates and hours calendar on the aquarium's website before you go.
Does the aquarium keep whales or dolphins?
No. The last cetacean left in 2021, and federal law bans new acquisitions.
Can you pay with cash?
The aquarium has been cashless since May 2026. Kiosks in the Gift Shop and Courtyard Café can load Canadian cash onto a prepaid card.
Is it good for children?
Yes. Clownfish Cove, the sea otters, the 4D Theatre and the Wet Lab are popular with families.
Is there food on site?
Yes, the Courtyard Café serves meals and snacks.
How do you find show times?
The aquarium's mobile app lists show times and includes an interactive map.