Vancouver Aquarium — Aquarium in Vancouver

Vancouver Aquarium and its collection

Vancouver Aquarium, opened in 1956, is an aquarium in Vancouver, Canada.

It was among the first to place professional naturalists in its galleries to explain animal behaviour to visitors.

History

The association behind it formed in 1950 around a group that included Wilbert Clemens, Carl Lietze and Murray Newman, all of them professors at UBC. Backing came from the timber magnate H.R. MacMillan and the businessman George Cunningham, with $100,000 given by each of three tiers of government. James Sinclair, then fisheries minister, cut the ribbon at the opening on 15 June 1956.

Animals and collection

Roughly 300 fish species are held, along with close to 30,000 invertebrates and 56 amphibian and reptile species. About 60 mammals and birds are also kept; cetaceans no longer are, the last being a Pacific white-sided dolphin named Helen.

Conservation and approach

Conservation and research programmes are run, together with marine animal rehabilitation and ocean education.

What the venue says

• 4D Theatre Experience
• Dragons
• On-site dining options include the Vancouver Aquarium Café (serving salads and sustainable seafood), the Courtyard Cafe and Coffee Bar, and seasonal choices like the Bistro.
• Located within Stanley Park, the aquarium relies on the park's shared paid parking areas, which feature multiple unattended pay stations, EV charging spots toward Avision Way, and designated accessible parking spaces.
• The facility is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible.
• Visitors with a disability who purchase a full-price ticket are eligible to bring a complimentary support attendant to help facilitate their visit.