Our policies at the
Vancouver Aquarium
To ensure the best experience for both our visitors as well as our facility residents, we have a number of policies that visitors to the Aquarium should be aware of. Please take note of these policies to help maximize your experience.
Visitors are expected to behave in an appropriate, respectful and positive manner when interacting with other guests, our volunteers, staff and animals.
Distributing any literature or propaganda, soliciting for signatures and/or the selling of any goods and services is not allowed on Aquarium property unless authorized by the Vancouver Aquarium.
Shirts and shoes are required
Unruly or unsafe behavior that endangers people or animals, disrupts other guests’ ability to enjoy their visit, or interferes with business operations will not be tolerated and can result in ejection without a refund.
The Vancouver Aquarium reserves the right to deny entry and eject any individual without liability from the aquarium and aquarium property.
When deemed necessary, all bags, backpacks, and packages may be inspected prior to entering the Aquarium. The Vancouver Aquarium retains the right at all times to refuse admissions or request visitors to leave if they are in violation of our policies
If at any time during your visit you are made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or unsafe, please report your concern to an Aquarium staff or volunteer.
As per the Park Board Smoking Regulation by-law, smoking (including e-cigarettes) is prohibited anywhere on Aquarium property, including outdoor areas. This by-law prohibits smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in all Vancouver parks including Stanley Park, beaches, seawalls, trails and public golf courses.
We hope you enjoy taking and sharing images of the many amazing animals that live at the Vancouver Aquarium. Please note that any images you take are for your personal use only, and cannot be used for commercial purposes without written consent from the Vancouver Aquarium. For the health and safety of our animals, photo extension poles (selfie sticks) as well as all electronic devices may not be used to cross into the exhibits. Thank you for your consideration.
For the safety of your pet and our animals, pets are not allowed in our facility. We allow accredited trained service and emotional support animals within the Aquarium with the exception of the Amazon Free Flight Gallery. Please ensure that you have proper documentation and identification jacket for your service animal. For the safety of our visitors, we request that pets not be left unattended at any time outside our facility.
Strollers are permitted throughout the Aquarium. We ask that you be considerate of other visitors as you navigate through the galleries. Stroller parking is available and small single strollers are available for loan at our Guest Services desk on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The Vancouver Aquarium is a breast feeding friendly facility and welcomes nursing mothers to use any of our private, semi-private or public spaces as needed. Please check the map for designated private and semi-private spots identified by the nursing symbol or make yourself comfortable in any gallery or seating area.
All of our shows and activities are offered rain or shine. We recommend that you dress in layers and plan for rain as all of our marine mammal habitats are located outdoors.
Balloons, plastic straws and lids can fall into animal habitats and this can be very dangerous to the animals. These items are not permitted within the Aquarium. Balloons can be left at the admissions desk and collected after your visit. Bubbles are also not permitted within the Aquarium as the detergent used in bubbles can pose a risk to animal health.
In addition, the following items are not permitted inside the aquarium:
Clothing with offensive or vulgar language
Alcoholic beverages
E-cigarettes
Roller blades, roller skates, heelies, skateboards, child scooters, hover boards (These items may be left with admission staff and collected upon exiting)
Laser pens and pointers
Noise making devices
Any other items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate by aquarium staff.
Plastic straws and lids can fall into animal habitats and this can be very dangerous to the animals. These items are not permitted within the Aquarium.
The Vancouver Aquarium Café offers an array of cold and hot meal options. Café seating is reserved for restaurant patrons. We ask that visitors who bring their own food use the picnic sites within walking distance from the Aquarium.
Through the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, we know that single-use plastic bottles are the some of the most commonly found items littering our shorelines. You can help protect our waterways by bringing a reusable bottle on your next visit, using a refillable cup in our cafés, and topping up at our water stations.
The 4-D Experience may not be appropriate for children under four, or for anyone with a back condition. Please consult a staff member if you have any concerns. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times inside the theatre and in the aquarium galleries.
Youth 13 years and over may enter the facility without an accompanying adult. Appropriate ID or other proof of age must be presented. Children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a paying adult or guardian aged 13 or over at all times in the galleries and the 4-D Experience. The Vancouver Aquarium reserves the right to verify the age and identity of any unaccompanied minor or young guardians.
In the event that a child under the age 12 or someone with a medical condition or special needs goes missing, we offer a search service to ensure we find your party member safely and efficiently. Please alert a staff member or volunteer right away. They will accompany you to a designated meeting spot and ensure the search protocol is started.
In the event that you or someone in your party requires first aid, please alert a staff member or a volunteer right away. They will call our first aid attendants to assist you.
View our visitors FAQ for frequently asked
questions about visiting the Vancouver Aquarium.
The Vancouver Aquarium will be temporarily closed to the public starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and all programming will be cancelled as a preventative measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19 through our community. Learn more.