Under The Sea: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Aquariums inspire me. Hopping from pane to pane, I can spend countless hours wandering through the carefully curated galleries. I’m drawn to the visually striking and scientifically fascinating aquatic animals; their colours, adaptations and behaviours always leave me awestruck. So it’s no surprise that when Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada opened their doors in Toronto, my curious little heart fluttered with joy.

Having visited aquariums around the globe – from Siam Ocean World in Bangkok and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and Marine Habitat in Paradise Island – I can assure you that Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is definitely world-class. With over 16,000 marine animals, 50 live exhibits and the largest shark collection in North America, I felt like a kid in a candy store when I visited with my photog last week. And as if the sheer number and variety of species wasn’t enough, my eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw the football-field length glass viewing tunnel…

As we glided through the Dangerous Lagoon (kudos for the moving sidewalk design that gives everyone unblocked views), we were surrounded by a 2.5 million litre tank. And everywhere we looked, we spotted a different species; nurse sharks, stingrays, sawfish, sea turtles etc.! I was so captivated by the experience that I went through three times. It’s truly a photog and nature-lover’s dream…

And the other galleries were equally breathtaking…

I really enjoyed watching people interact with the marine animals and divers. There’s just something so magical about the two worlds coming together under one roof…

Sigh, we had such an amazing time and can’t wait to go back! If you haven’t checked out the aquarium yet, I highly recommend you do. But before you go, here are a few tips:

• The aquarium is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
• Admission prices: $29.98 for adults (14+), $19.98 for seniors (65+), $19.98 for youth (6-13), $9.98 for children (3-5)
• I recommend that you buy your tickets in advance and skip, what could be, a long line. Their timed tickets program allows you to reserve tickets online for a specific date and time. They’ll give you an hour of wiggle room to arrive and you can stay as long as you like.
• You’ll need at least 2 hours to enjoy the aquarium. Longer if you want to take a gazillion photographs, eat, watch the dive shows (there’s one at Ray Bay and another at Rainbow Reef) or read about every single species like I did (science nerd in the house). Oh, and save some time for play…
  

  Photo credit: Sik Photography.

• If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, don’t visit on weekends and arrive after 3 pm if possible. Bonus: the aquarium is running a Sharks After Dark promo where you get $5 off if you visit after 7 pm (they’re open as late as 11 pm on most nights).
• There’s a Ripley’s® Café located in the Discovery Centre if you get peckish. No sushi (had to go there), but plenty of snacks to choose from.
• Don’t forget to snap a few photos on your phone! They make for great wallpaper.
  

  Photo credit: Sik Photography.

• Jazz fan? Then head to the aquarium on the second Friday of every month for Friday Night Jazz. It’s included with the Sharks After Dark general admission. Oh and not only do you get to listen to live jazz as you wander through the aquarium, but they serve appetizers and have a cash bar. Sounds like a fab date night to me!

Special thanks to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada for our media passes. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.