Top 5 Zoos & Aquariums in Vancouver Coast and Mountains, Vancouver Coast and Mountains

The Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre (NSMEC) is a unique collect and release aquarium located inside Gibsons Public Market in the seaside town of Gibsons, BC. The Sonntag Centre houses 30 exhibits displaying natural habitat and local marine fish and invertebrates from the waters of the Howe Sound. This includes interactive touch tanks and scavenger hunts! The animals are collected by our team of professional SCUBA divers. The animals are then housed in the Centre for 6-18 months, depending on the species, and released back to the ocean with help from the entire community. Displays are always changing, allowing the diversity of the marine life we have in the Howe Sound to shine. We host formal education programs with schools, run summer camps and bring in experts to deliver engaging presentations on ocean topics. Come visit us soon!

With over 60,000 amazing aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, what will you see today? Stop by and say hi to the adorable sea otters, or come see the mesmerizing jellyfish. Enjoy daily sea lion, otter and penguin experiences, as well as the free-roaming animals found in the popular Amazon gallery. And make sure to visit the Treasures of the BC Coast gallery to discover the unique and breath-taking animals that live in BC’s local waters, including ‘Ceph Rogen’, the Pacific Octopus. You can also immerse yourself in the 4D Experience Theatre, which combines the high-definition excitement of a 3D film with thrilling sensory effects! The Vancouver Aquarium is an Ocean Wise initiative, a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. Your visit to the Aquarium directly contributes to its conservation, education and research programs. Find out for yourself why the Vancouver Aquarium is one of the world’s favourite aquariums!

This five-acre petting zoo is particularly suitable for families with younger children.

Gibsons Public Market is a vibrant hub of Coastal life. Open 6 days per week, the Market is home to 7 local merchants, an award-winning Emelle's Bistro, and one of a kind collect-and-release Community Aquarium, the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre. You can find a variety of events, programs, and activities at Gibsons Public Market for locals and visitors alike. Join us for FREE Live Music performances on Saturday afternoons, daily Happy Hour, tours of the Aquarium, shopping with the merchants, yoga classes, and so much more!