Do you want to lift the horizon’s curtains and explore the oceans’ mysteries? Of course yes! Come visit the Aquariums in Canada to surround yourself with the majestic marine life.
The fact that 90% of the sea has not yet been explored by humankind, and we still are naive about what lies down the depths of oceans and seas? Although, being the smartest animal on earth we have got our perks. We have managed to explore and hold a miniature of it to make it a grand experience of witnessing sea life in habitats. Aquariums in Canada hold some of these beautiful and surreal seas lives to exhibit and study for our knowledge.
1. Aquariums in Canada
Get ready because a few of the best aquariums across the world are here to make you take a peek and see under the sea! All these aquariums in Canada will leave out mesmerized by the sightings you will catch.
Here are a few of the best aquariums in Canada to visit on your next trip.
1.1 Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada – Aquariums in Canada
Ripley’s Aquarium sits in Canada as an astonishing piece of architecture. Well, that is one of the attributes that fascinates spectators who visit it. The significant one is that it is one of the best aquariums to visit in Canada.
Sitting along Toronto lands, the aquarium shares its adjacency to CN Tower in downtown Toronto. Opened a decade ago, the aquarium attracts millions of visitors every year. Visiting Ripley’s Aquarium puts forward a show of 16000 creatures of marine life.
This 1,35,000 square feet facility will blow your mind with the specialties it possesses. The aquarium houses two of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. Alongside, the Discovery Centre here allows visitors unique experiences like touching the living fossils and underwater viewing bubbles. Be ready to crawl your way out of the tunnel witnessing creatures like Palette Surgeonfish, Carpet sharks, and clownfish.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada includes exotic species like electric eels, sea turtles, sand tiger sharks, and green sawfish. It also includes several freshwater creatures. Not to forget, the aquarium is renowned for the shark exhibitions which are about 10 feet long.
Witness the magic showcased by these gigantic and small creatures by taking a walk in Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
Location: 288 Bremner Boulevard Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada
Special attributes:
Dive shows, Living fossils, Summer day camp, Marine teen program, Dangerous Lagoon, Ray Bay, and planet jellies exhibit.
1.2 Vancouver Aquarium – Aquariums in Canada
Visit the wonders of the marine world at the Vancouver Aquarium located in Stanley Park, Vancouver. For decades-long the place is serving as an amazing destination for tourists to witness the ocean life the aquarium holds.
Talking about the animal hold of the aquarium, the facility holds about 300 different species of fish, 60 mammals, and birds. Further, they also house around 30 thousand invertebrates and 56 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Key creatures attractions at the aquarium include sea otters and harbor seals. Moreover, other animals like California Sea lion, Zebra shark, Northern Fur seal, and Green sea turtle also occupy the facility.
From being Canada’s first public aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium has been adding attributes to its cause. The aquarium is the center for multiple aspects which include climate activism, educating about ocean conservation and marine research. Moreover, Vancouver Aquarium was the first to involve professional naturalists in their facility to understand animal behaviors.
Location: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
1.3 Ucluelet Aquarium – Aquariums in Canada
Experience the magic of the other side of our world, the marine life right here in the town center on the waterfront promenade. The non-profit public aquarium is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Feel overwhelmed by experiencing the magic of holding a starfish in your hands, or watching a giant Pacific octopus which you might never have seen if not here. There are several animals at the Ucluelet Aquarium that will not let you down with your decision to come here.
Find yourself catching glimpses of creatures that might have never heard of. For instance, rockfish, orange cup coral, kelpfish, sea cucumbers, and baby giant octopus. Another major significant attraction here is the state-of-the-art tidal pool, one to resemble the sub-tidal zone. The jellyfish, squid, and anemones are the creatures you will get to see here.
One thing that is interesting about the aquarium is its proximity to Ucluelet Harbor. This promotes the water from the oceans to directly enter the tanks of the aquarium. This also emphasizes the fact that many of the sea creatures enter the facility. Further, their exhibits keep on altering since they release some of the creatures back to their natural habitat. You can also accompany their staff to witness this humanitarian act.
Location: 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0, Canada
Special attributes:
Release and collect sea creatures through the harbor, raising awareness for marine life.
1.4 Aquarium of Quebec – Aquariums in Canada
Aquarium of Quebec is a marine establishment spread over whopping 40 acres of land. An exemplary place for spending a day out with family and loved ones. Located in Quebec City, the aquarium is a public aquarium that opened in 1959.
Talking about the marine features here, the facility houses about 10000 animals. Further including 300 different species of fish, reptiles, marine mammals, birds, amphibians, mollusks, and crustaceans. The Boreal and arctic wildlife are the specialty of the aquarium.
Keep gawking at the wonderful underwater world while you traverse the tunnel. Spot some divers who would exhibit you the marine life.
Apart from the marine attractions here, the place also encompasses it place that holds exhibits. These exhibits teach one about the wildlife in certain geographical regions, and this place has different sectors for each one of them. Sectors here include the coastal zone which exhibits marine invertebrates from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans like starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, etc. Animals from freshwater habitats, saltwater, and scientific crossroads are some of the sectors that signify the marine life present in their respective regions. Spot animals like walruses, polar bears, and harp seals in their artic sector.
Adding to it, the aquarium also has a garden and various outdoor pools. One of the key attractions of the aquarium is the Annual Light Festival, where more than 50 thousand LED lights put up a show worth seeing.
The Aquarium of Quebec is one of the best Aquariums in Canada to visit.
Location: 1675 Av. des Hôtels, Québec, QC G1W 4S3, Canada
Special attributes:
Arctic animals like polar bears, walruses, and seals, Annual Light Festival, Awesome Ocean, Banks of the St. Lawrence River, Discover the Coastal Zone, Fresh & Salt Water, Scientific Crossroads, Wetlands
1.5 Shaw Center for the Salish Sea –Aquariums in Canada
Included in “One of Canada’s Top Ten New Attractions”, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is one of the best aquariums in Canada to visit. Popular amongst tourists and locals, this facility boasts to be a highly regarded environmental education center.
The center has various exhibits to have a glimpse of and also allows the visitors to gain knowledge through it. The display of the marine world initiates with the foundations of the ocean food web. Known as the Gallery of Drifters, this portion exhibits species of algae, plankton jellyfish, moon jellies, and sea nettles.
A major fascinating part for the student group here is their wet lab. The place allows them to experience and watch the mini ecosystems of the giant oceans through microscopes. You get to experience both here, the mini newborn fish and the bones of gigantic whales.
Moreover, the aquarium is home to 3000 animals. Attractions in them include wolf eels and a giant Pacific octopus. Also, spot around 150 species of fish swimming beside you. Further, they also house various species of plant life and marine invertebrates. Experience the true marine life by touching some of the marine life like the sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea stars in their fascinating touch pools.
The center is a great place to learn about the fascinating marine world in a fun and exciting way.
Location: 9811 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada
Special attributes:
Environmental Education Centre, Fun Events and Exhibits
1.6 Marineland of Canada – Aquariums in Canada
This themed zoo and amusement park in Canada will keep your kids amused and family entertained at this location. Located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada the themed zoo is a promising and alluring destination to experience thrill and gawk at the marine life they exhibit.
Marineland of Canada holds 4000 land and marine animals. The destination includes major attractions like beluga whales, harbor seals, penguins, grey seals, and sea lions. Apart from housing these gigantic creatures, the place houses theme attractions for children and adults. The place is like an ultimate for all age group people to enjoy their day out.
The place keeps you amused over rides that included several types from roller coasters, and free fall.
Witness a memorable journey here by visiting this place in Canada.
Location: 7657 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X8, Canada
2. Did You Know?
- The Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium hosting approximately 9.5 million liters of water in its 166 different aquatic displays.
- Sharks are amongst the exceptional species that have eyelids.
- Conserve, Educate, Inspire! is the motto at Ripley’s Aquarium. The aquarium hosts several education drives and awareness through dedicated awareness day events for each species such as the Shark and Ray awareness days celebrated on July 14.
- One of the major attractions at Ripley’s Aquarium is the Rainbow Reef. This is a mini version of the inviting and warm coral seas that belong to the great Indo-Pacific Ocean.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan is one of the biggest aquariums in the world and houses the magnificent whale shark.
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Planet Jellies in Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada?
Ans. Planet Jellies in Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is one of its kind gallery that houses a specially made tank for jellyfish. It exhibits jellyfish in all stages of their life.
Q. What is interesting about Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Centre?
Ans. The Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Centre is an interactive museum designed keeping in mind everyone, especially children. Their collection of ecosystems stretches from freshwater habitats to deep sea creatures.
Q. What is Marineland of Canada special for?
Ans. Marineland in Canada is renowned for its catch-and-release system that allows the cycle of sea life into their natural habitats after a while.
Q. Which aquariums in Canada can be visited with the whole family?
Ans. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Vancouver Aquarium, Ucluelet Aquarium, Sea Life Caverns, Marineland of Canada, and Aquarium du Québec are aquariums in Canada that can be visited with the whole family to explore marine nature.
Q. What are the ten galleries in Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada?
Ans. The ten galleries in Ripley’s Aquarium include Discovery Centre, Ray Bay, Canadian Waters, Swarm: Nature by Numbers, Shoreline Gallery, Rainbow Reef, Dangerous Lagoon, Planet Jellies, Life support systems, and the Gallery.
4. Conclusion
It is said that “There is no life without water” which makes you ponder what, how much, how diverse, unique, and weird time life will be inside the waters surrounding us.
Find answers to questions like these and much more with your visit to these highly curated mini oceans sprinkled all over Canada.
Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by ditz1010
