Seagull's-eye
view of Vancouver Aquarium
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Vancouver wouldn't
be half the city that it is without its extensive roster of parks
and gardens. Stanley Park is the centrepiece,
one of the largest parks in any urban centre in North America. The
attractions within Stanley Park are numerous, and among the most popular
is the Vancouver Aquarium, the largest in Canada. From Beluga whales
to caiman, jellies to jacks, more than 8,000 creatures from the ends
of the earth, and the depths of the sea, call the Vancouver Aquarium
home.
Wonder at the mesmerizing
red-gilled sea slug and the bizarre face of a shy wolf-eel. Imagine
yourself in Tropical Pacific waters surrounded by brightly coloured
coral reef fishes. Search through dense jungle foliage to find the
amazing red-eyed treefrog. Immerse yourself in the unexpected richness
of the Canadian Arctic. Meet the Amazon's green anaconda and pink-toed
tarantula. Delight in the astounding variety of B.C.'s spineless wonders,
from giant Pacific octopi to red rock crabs. Plunge under the swamp
bubble and glimpse a frog's eye view of wetland creatures. Discover
the blacktip reef shark's hunting ground in the Micronesian lagoon
exhibit.
The Pacific
Northwest: See a playful sea otter busily clean his fur, while
an octopus glides silently from crack to crevasse. In the North
Pacific Habitat, scuba divers feed hungry halibut, and harvest fast-growing
kelp.
Arctic Canada:
The creak of ice and the eerie language of whales surround you as
you submerge into this cold blue world. Come face-to-face with curious
beluga whales or satisfy your own curiosity about our fragile northern
environment with fascinating interactive exhibits.
The Amazon
Rainforest: Scan the steamy jungle for the brilliant scarlet
ibis and snoozing sloths. If the sky darkens and you feel the rumble
of thunder, don't worry. It's just one of the hourly rainstorms
that is created. Stand back and watch how the animals react as they
sense the approaching storm.
See Lions:
Yes, Steller sea lions at the Vancouver Aquarium. Put yourself in
the shoes of a marine mammal researcher trying to solve the puzzle
of the disappearing Steller sea lions. The boisterous sea lions
at the Vancouver Aquarium are part of an international research
project designed to uncover the answer to this challenging puzzle.
Beluga
Whale at the Vancouver Aquarium
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The Indonesian
Reef Exhibit: Step inside a living rainbow. Indonesia's Bunaken
National Park, home to world famous dive sites, is re-created behind
a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window.
See brilliant
angelfish dart for cover in the reef, and learn why coral environments
are in danger. Continue your adventure in the Tropical Pacific
Gallery. It's like scuba diving in Hawaii or Australia without
getting wet, just watch out for the blacktip reef sharks.
Giant Fishes
on the Amazon: Imagine a whiskered catfish as large as a bulldog.
Discover these impressive giants and other huge fish from the flooded
forest, and find out how they are connected to the survival of the
Amazon rainforest.
Join the flock
at the Ducks Unlimited Canada Wetland Discovery Centre, which invites
you to 'wade' into B.C. wetlands. Spot the unusual and interesting
inhabitants that use the wetlands as their homes, nurseries, and
restaurants. Look a Cyclops in the eye through a video microscope,
dress-up to fit into a watery world, or come face-to-face with a
tadpole in the indoor wetland. Waddle on down for lots of family
fun.
For information
about transportation, hours and rates, group bookings, the latest
animal activities, special events, rentals and programs, call the
Info Line (604) 659-3474.
The Vancouver
Aquarium Marine Science Centre is located just five minutes west
of downtown Vancouver at: 845
Avison Way in Stanley Park.
Public parking
is available throughout Stanley Park - there are three parking lots
near the Aquarium: Two on the east side, at the main entrance to
Stanley Park, just past the Vancouver Rowing Club boathouse, and
another on the west side of the Aquarium, at Beaver Lake Pass.
Express Bus
to Stanley Park - It's Free and Easy! This convenient service operates
between downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park and is free of charge
to all Horse-Drawn Tour and Aquarium customers. (Operating Daily
March 15th - October 31st).
Translink offers
regular service around the Vancouver area, running from 5 am to
2 am on most major routes.Take the #135 bus to Burrard Station (Burrard
& Georgia). Take the #19 Bus to Stanley Park from downtown, (the
only bus that stops inside Stanley Park). A One Zone ticket is $2.25
(subject to change).
Make your way
to the Aquarium aboard a Double Decker bus tour. This may be just
the way to get your head above traffic for a bird's eye view of
Vancouver's city streets and Stanley Park! Tours run seasonally
between April 21 - October 5, boarding every 40 minutes from most
major tourist attractions and lodgings.
The Vancouver
Trolley Company offers a fun and exciting ride to the Vancouver
Aquarium aboard their classic turn of the century trolleys. Tours
run daily from March 15th - October 31st, every 30 minutes and every
60 minutes the remainder of the year from 15 stops around Vancouver,
including stops at some of the major downtown hotels. No reservations
are required. Take your time, and after you've enjoyed your visit
at the Aquarium, hop back on board to continue on your tour to other
great attractions.
Getting around
Stanley Park without a car is easy with the Stanley Park Shuttle
bus service. The shuttle bus service stops at 15 of Stanley Park's
most popular locations on a 12-minute schedule, from 10:00 am to
6:30 pm seven days a week during July, August and the first week
of September. This is a fun, convenient way to experience Stanley
Park. For a nominal fee, park visitors can ride all day, getting
off and on the shuttle at their pleasure.
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