My kids love aquariums, which is a good thing, since I love taking them! But when I recently went to Vancouver, BC to celebrate my younger sister and her soon-to-be-born baby, I left the kiddos at home. Going on a kid-free vacation didn’t stop me and my two sisters from going to the Vancouver Aquarium in BC, though!

The Vancouver Aquarium, nicknamed VanAqua for short, is Canada’s largest aquarium. It’s in the middle of Stanley Park, which—if you’re visiting BC for the first or hundredth time—is likely on your list already. Even if you’re not into Stanley Park’s hiking and biking trails, totem poles or temperate rain forest, it’s worth a special stop just for the Vancouver BC Aquarium.

Whether you’re in Vancouver with kids or are on an adults-only outing like we were, you’ll want to make friends with this aquarium’s many animals. Sea lions, sea otters, jellyfish and thousands of other species are waiting!

Highlights of the Vancouver Aquarium in BC

This place is huge. Just how big is the Vancouver Aquarium? It covers 100,000 square feet, and its tanks hold 2.5 million gallons of water! That huge footprint (er, finprint?) holds nearly 60,000 animals. It makes sense, then, to prioritize your visit unless you have all day to explore the aquarium.

Below are my favorite parts of this must-visit destination in Vancouver.

Steller’s Cove

Modeled after the region in California where Steller’s Sea Lions are most prevalent, this part of the aquarium is home to—you guessed it—sea lions. They’re gigantic, and you can see them resting on mock wharves or getting a check-up from marine veterinarians.

Their bulky bodies transform underwater, though, and you can get a stunning view of their ballet-like moves from the indoor portion of this exhibit. We watched for a half-hour, enthralled, as the sea lions swam, looped and spun in front of the glass window looking into their tank.

Level 10 travel tip: We spoke to a staff of the Vancouver Aquarium who said that two of the sea lions typically play-fight every day around 4pm, so schedule your visit around this time!

Sea otters

These playful critters are crowd favorites, and it’s easy to see why: They are adorable and love nothing more than goofing off in their tank near the sea lion underwater viewing area.

If you can’t get enough of sea otters during your visit, you can watch them on a live cam! And if you want guaranteed cuteness, you must watch this video:

Jellies

The most relaxing spot in the aquarium is the jellyfish area. I could stare at their undulating bodies for hours. I swear, jellies could put me in a trance!

But don’t just look at ’em—read the signage to learn about these fascinating creatures. Did you know, for example, a group of jellyfish is called a smack? And that when there’s a jellyfish “bloom”—an explosion in the population—they can clog pipes and shut down power plants?!

While you’re there, you’ll definitely want to do as the jellies do and get loose.

Vancouver Aquarium jellies from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

Tropic Coast

Another of the aquarium’s most popular exhibits, the Tropic Coast lets us in the chilly Pacific Northwest see an underwater habitat unlike our own coastal waters. Here, tropical fish, blacktip sharks and an enormous sea turtle swim in a gigantic tank.

A raised platform along the edge of the tank here is the perfect height for kids to walk along, getting them a closer look at the sealife.

Treasures of the BC Coast

The Vancouver BC Aquarium would be incomplete without a dedicated area to the waters around British Columbia! In this area, smaller tanks show the fish, octopus and other creatures native to the cold waters of BC. I loved how well designed these tanks were, offering lots of hidey holes for creatures to call home—and excellent opportunities for a game of I Spy!

These tanks looked remarkably natural. The live kelp and other underwater plants, plus rocks, sand and shells, made the exhibits look like they’d been transported straight from the ocean.

What to look for in the Vancouver Aquarium

Talk to an expert

As you walk through the aquarium, keep an eye out for staff members. You’ll notice them in their aquarium uniform; some wear buttons. While we visited, we met a staff who was the world’s first expert in jellyfish breeding!

More than fish

An aquarium is, of course, focused on sealife. Yet the Vancouver Aquarium also recognizes the interconnectedness of different ecosystems. It makes sense, then, that VanAqua also features exhibits on other animals and habitats.

While we visited, we explored the Frogs Forever? exhibit. We got up close and personal with these amphibians, which are actually in danger throughout much of the world. Frogs are particularly susceptible to triggers in the environment that can harm wildlife, from habitat loss to pollutants. That’s one reason why conservationists treat frogs like a canary in a coal mine: Their health or decline can signal bigger changes in the ecosystem.

Inspiration to conserve

Aquariums are so important because they let us get up close and personal with a whole world that’s typically hidden underwater. After all, about two-thirds of the planet is water, so we’d better take good—better—care of our oceans.

The art installation at the center of the Vancouver Aquarium inspires us to do just that. Vortex, which visualizes the Pacific Garbage Patch, is a stark reminder that the straws, toothbrushes and hunks of styrofoam that make their way to the sea don’t disappear. In fact, the aquarium’s organization is undertaking research on microplastics (the tiny pieces of trash produced when larger garbage breaks down in the water). Part of the price of admission funds this, and other, important research.

Vancouver Aquarium with kids

Pretty much any reputable, accredited aquarium is at the top of my favorite kid-friendly activities list. The Vancouver Aquarium with kids isn’t an exception!

Throughout the aquarium, exhibits have been designed with littles in mind.

Kids who need to get their wiggles out can play at the Clownfish Cove, an ocean-themed play area. Kids 8 and under can climb, pretend to be oceanic veterinarians or cozy up with a book about the sea in the book nook.

What’s more, the daily Family Program focuses on a theme, from otters to the BC waters, for children to learn through play. Programming might include puppets, crafts, hands-on activities and more. Double check the aquarium’s schedule, but family programs typically start daily at 10:45am.

If you’re breastfeeding, you’re of course welcome to do so anywhere. If you and your little need more privacy, there are nursing mother’s rooms in several places in the Vancouver Aquarium.

Vancouver Aquarium tickets + what you need to visit

Vancouver Aquarium tickets

Vancouver Aquarium tickets start at $21 Canadian for children 4-12 and go up to $38 for adults. Children ages 3 and under get in the aquarium free. Admission prices aren’t cheap; however, they support not only caring for the thousands of creatures at the aquarium but also marine mammal rescue and original research. If you only have US cash on hand, the aquarium also accepts USD.

You can skip the lines by buying Vancouver Aquarium tickets through the web site.

The Vancouver BC Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Visit from 10am-5pm or, during summer, 9:30am-6pm.

The best time to visit the Vancouver Aquarium

Much of the aquarium is inside, making this a great rainy day activity in Vancouver. Parts of the large complex—for example, above-ground portions of the Steller’s Cove area, which is home to enormous sea lions—are open to the elements, though. So if you visit on a rainy day in Vancouver or the clouds look threatening, keep your jacket on you!

The aquarium is worth a visit year-round and all day. You should take a peek at the aquarium’s schedule for shows and feeding times, such as the walrus training or the dive feed, where a scuba diver takes snacks to hungry sealife underwater!

If you leave at closing time, like we did, take a few moments to admire the lit water feature in front of the aquarium. It’s gorgeous!

Where to eat

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to two cafes, the Courtyard Cafe and Ocean Wise Cafe, which is open only in the summer and is also accessible to the public (no aquarium admission required). I appreciate that all the seafood served in the cafes is sustainably sourced. Also, they don’t offer straws (considering that many of them would end up in the ocean) and you won’t find water bottles for sale anywhere; they serve only tap water, and you can fill your own reusable bottle throughout the aquarium.

Vancouver Aquarium After Hours

Several times throughout the year, the Vancouver BC Aquarium stays open late for an adults-only After Hours event. You can still roam the aquarium as usual, but there are also themed special events. (For the Pride Festival, for example, there will be drag queen performances and talks on animal sex!)

Other amenities at the Vancouver BC Aquarium

Looking for more? The Vancouver Aquarium also offers:

• a quiet room, ideal for visitors with sensory needs
• gender neutral restrooms
• family restrooms (so handy when you’re trying to get your whole crew to go potty!)
• wheelchairs
• a gift shop
• free wifi (so you can post those #vanaqua photos!)

Ready for your visit to the Vancouver Aquarium?

Well, are you? I sure am. I can’t wait for my next trip to Vancouver, BC—with my kids, I hope! (Although doing anything with my sisters is pretty much my favorite.)

If you’re looking for things to do in Vancouver, BC, the aquarium should definitely be on your list. When you’re done, explore Stanley Park. If you’re into off-the-beaten-path activities, read my post on the Bloedel Conservancy, where you’ll walk through a tropical dome filled with plants and birds! And let me know what else is on your must-do list in Vancouver!

If you’re planning a trip to BC, you might want to read my post on whether or not you should rent a car in Vancouver.