Step into this winding hallway to become surrounded by the marine life native to Vancouver and the surrounding west coast of British Columbia. See all kinds of creatures, from urchins and sea cucumbers to Coho salmon and sturgeons. While spending time in Vancouver, be sure to acquaint yourself with our neighbours under the ocean.

Look out for: The only octopus in the entire aquarium, although she is shy and tends to only reveal herself during mealtimes. See if you can spot her among the coral and colourful rocks!

Fun fact: The salmon on display here are not only popular in many local food dishes, but also an incredibly important resource and spiritual part of British Columbia's First Nation communities and heritage.

One of the aquarium's most popular attractions, these marine mammals are always lively and playing in the water with each other. Every otter at the Vancouver Aquarium was rescued as an orphan when they were too young to survive on their own. The aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Team continues to ensure these endangered creatures are properly cared for.

Look out for: Tofino and Luna, the aquarium's newest edition to the sea otter family. Both were rescued as newborns off the coast of Vancouver Island and after intensive care, are able to play and swim with the others in Stanley Park.

Fun fact: A group of sea otters is called a raft, a name which comes from the way these critters hold hands while floating in the ocean to safely stay together.

Located just outside the aquarium's main building, the large outdoor enclosures are home to several harbour seals and large sea lions. Between the spotted fur of the harbour seals and the brown skin and loud calls of the sea lions, there are plenty of marine mammals to get to know.
Look out for: Jessica, the only seal in the enclosure who is completely blind. She lost her vision as a result of injuries before she was rescued, but can now live a safe and happy life where she receives dedicated care.
Fun fact: Despite being called "California Sea Lions," these large, loud mammals are also found along the coast of British Columbia and further down the western coastline of the United States.

Turn up the heat by venturing into the exhibits hailing from warmer climates than Vancouver's chilly atmosphere. The Tropics are home to a wide variety of sea life, including sharks, sea turtles, eels, piranhas and many more. Continue down the hall and around the corner to come to the Amazon section, which houses not only more aquatic life, but also birds, marmosets, snakes, bats and tortoises.
Look out for: The Shark Tank! Vancouver Aquarium staff will hold Shark Talks next to the large glass wall that looks into the shark habitat, explaining facts about the various species within while the swimming creatures are fed.
A Special Guest: The Amazon section has one elusive and slow moving visitor, look up to the highest parts of the ceiling to see Vancouver's only sloth crawling through the branches.

In Vancouver's damp forest atmosphere, it's only natural that you'd find these leaping amphibians in our lakes, rivers and plants. Explore the frogs native to British Columbia, as well as their cousins from the Amazon and other amphibians in this wing of the Aquarium.
Did you know: Frogs are at a great risk of becoming extinct in North America and face a very real danger of dying out within the current generation. The Vancouver Aquarium works with local wildlife experts to rehabilitate, raise and release native frogs to help the population rebuild.

Look out for: Conservation tips! Each frog exhibit contains information and advice on protecting frogs in your local ecosystem.

If you wish to get up close and personal with British Columbia's marine life, there is no better place to do so than at the various Wet Labs around the Aquarium building. Some exhibits are open for exploration with aquarium staff supervision, while others feature workshops from marine experts with in-depth knowledge about the creatures within the pools.
Look out for: The vast array of sea urchins. These spiky critters are dangerous to touch in the wild,  but non-venemous varieties are safe to touch at the aquarium with proper instruction.
Fun fact: The invertebrate sea cucumbers found in the touch pools are typically about six inches long, but in the wild, they can be up to six feet long!