Vancouver Aquarium

Photo Credit: Day Trips Canada

The Vancouver Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Not only is the Vancouver Aquarium a popular tourist attraction, but the aquarium is also a centre for conservation, marine research, and marine animal rehabilitation. As Canada's largest aquarium, and one of the five largest in North America, the Vancouver Aquarium was the first to display orcas, belugas, and dolphins. Currently, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to over 300 species of fish, approximately 30,000 invertebrates, 56 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over types of 60 mammals and birds.

The aquarium spans approximately 100,000 square feet and features 166 aquatic displays across 9 distinct areas. These areas include:
 
- Arctic Canada
This area showcases wildlife found in Canada's Arctic including Beluga whales.

- Treasures of the BC Coast
This is a series of separate exhibits that display the variety of sea life found along the British Columbia coast.

- The Amazon Rainforest
This display includes snakes, caimans, and a large variety of fresh water fish and marine life commonly found in the Amazon.

- Pacific Canada Pavilion
This area contains a massive 260,000 litre indoor tank and highlights marine life from the Strait of Georgia.

- The Wild Coast
The wild coast is an outdoor habitat that includes dolphins, harbour seals, sea lions, and sea otters.

- Frogs Forever
This exhibit focuses on issues with the world's frog population and attempts to show how people how they can help to protect the future of frogs on our planet.

- The Tropic Zone
Shark fans will delight at this massive display of sharks, sea turtles, eels, and tropical fish.

- Discovery Education Centre
Specifically designed for groups, this area contains multiple classrooms including a theatre and wet lab where visitors can learn first hand about marine life and sciences.

- Canaccord Exploration Gallery
This gallery was designed to engage visitors to learn about marine life through interactive displays.

Once your visit to the Vancouver Aquarium is complete, spend the rest of the day strolling through Stanley Park -- you may even get a chance to see marine life first hand along the shoreline as sea lions, seals, and otters have been known to visit regularly.