A Must See: The Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is one of Vancouver’s largest and most popular tourist attractions. Situated in Stanley Park.
Vancouver Aquarium Gallery
The gallery section as something for everyone: the steamy Amazon rainforest is re-created in an Amazon gallery, Treasures of the BC Coast has live pools of everything you’d see at the seashore! The BC Hydro Salmon Stream Project runs salmon every season all the way from the aquarium out to Coal Harbour, and the Arctic of Canada is represented in the beluga pools.
Vancouver Aquarium Private Functions and Parties
Sleepovers at the aquarium are available for parties, which is a great idea for older children. For children, ages 8 and under, there is Clownfish Cove, an area for dressing up as your favourite sea creature! The Frogs Forever show incorporates the latest in digital technology to explain why frogs are an important part of the ecosystem.
Vancouver Aquarium Belugas, Orcas and Attractions
All in all, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to 70,000 creatures of land and sea. Thirty three million people have visited the aquarium since it opened in 1956. Many schools have inspired their students by taking them on a trip to the aquarium. As well there are travelling exhibitions throughout BC and neighbouring Alberta. There are Aquaclubs and Aqua camps for summer education as well as youth programs and programs entirely in French.
Make the Vancouver Aquarium on your must to do list when visiting Vancouver! Plan to spend all day there. There are lockers and plenty of parking. There are changing facilities and the Aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible. For more information go to:
http://www.visitvanaqua.org/
Vancouver Aquarium Contact Information
Contact for information on Accessibilty, Amenities, Special Events and our Daily Show schedules. We value your questions and comments.
Info-line: (604) 659-3474
Phone: (604) 659-3400
E-mail: visitorexperience@vanaqua.org
Web: www.visitvanaqua.org
Lost and Found
Please contact us right away if you have lost an item during your visit.
Phone: 604-659-3508
Email: visitorexperience@vanaqua.org
School Programs Department
Education at the Aquarium.
Phone: (604) 659-3552
Fax: (604) 659-3515
E-mail: programs@vanaqua.org
Community Programs Department
The Vancouver Aquarium's Community Programs Department will help you plan an eco-tour, book a birthday party, or get up close and personal with some of our marine mammals.
Phone: (604) 659-3552
Fax: (604) 659-3515
E-mail: programs@vanaqua.org
Aquarium Volunteer Department
Become a part of Canada's leading volunteer marine education team.
Phone: (604) 659-3478
Fax: (604) 659-3515
E-mail: volunteer@vanaqua.org
B.C. Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program
Become a Member of the B.C. Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program and help support field research and conservation of wild killer whales in British Columbia and around the world!
Phone: (604) 659-3430
Fax: (604) 659-3515
E-mail: adoption@vanaqua.org
Catering and Events
Plan your special event - from banquets to business meetings.
Phone: (604) 659-3456
E-mail: cateringandevents@vanaqua.org
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
The aquarium and Marine Science Centre is open year round.
The history of the aquarium dates back to 1951. A public aquarium society was formed in 1951 by three University of British Columbia professors of oceanography, Murray Newman, Carl Lietze and Wilber. When it was founded, the aquarium was initially a place of study.
Aided by funding from the government as well as H.R. MacMillan (the lumber baron who also founded the Planetarium), it opened as an aquarium in June of 1956. Apart from the initial financial aid, the Vancouver aquarium is not supported by the government; it is completely independent and receives no regular government funding.
In addition to being a tourist attraction, the aquarium is known for its ground breaking studies in marine life and ecology. It is the largest aquarium in Canada and the largest in North America. It is founded on the principles of providing the best animal care and the best possible viewing and education experience for the public. In 1975 the Vancouver Aquarium was the first public aquarium in North America to be accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
From its humble beginnings in 1956, the aquarium has grown from a 9,000 square foot facility to over 100,000 square feet today. There are 385 employees and many galleries, cafes gift shops and educational facilities covering every topic from frogs to beluga whales!