Last summer, I was lucky enough to be able to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Apologies it has taken me so long to get around to writing this, I finally had some time to perfect my draft. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto and situated near the iconic CN Tower, the aquarium offers a mesmerising journey through a number underwater worlds, which are often out of sight and out of mind, making their conservation slightly trickier than terrestrial environments. The facility spans over 135,000 square feet and houses more than 20,000 aquatic animals from various marine ecosystems around the globe, which is extremely impressive. The aquarium is designed to provide an immersive experience, allowing guests to explore the wonders of the underwater world through thoughtfully curated exhibits, each replicating different aquatic environments ensuring that there is something for everyone (even me!).
The exhibits are split over two levels, and upper and lower. You start on the upper level and slowly work down to the lower level before looping back and ending up in the gift shop. The first exhibit you encounter is Canadian Waters which provides an insightful look into the marine life native to Canada. Visitors can explore the diverse aquatic species found in the country’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Highlights include the giant Pacific octopus, rainbow trout, and the fascinatingly delicate moon jellyfish. My personal favourite here was the Pacific Kelp Forest tank, a tall cylindrical tank that stands the height of the building, stocked full of fish found in these mesmerising habitats (photos below). Almost 420,000 litres of water ebb and flow in this tank as a wave maker simulates the surge conditions of British Columbia’s shoreline.
Having descended down a ramp and reaching the lower level, you are greeted with the Rainbow Reef. As it’s name suggest, this is a vibrant display of tropical fish it features over 100 species, in this Indo-Pacific-inspired coral reef. Rainbow Reef is a favourite among visitors for its explosion of colours, recognisable species (thanks to a certain Pixar film) and showcases a lively coral reef teeming with angelfish, tangs, and other brightly coloured species, creating a stunning visual spectacle. For those unable to visit in person, the aquarium provides a live Rainbow Reef Cam, allowing viewers to experience the exhibit’s beauty remotely. Enjoy!
Perhaps the most thrilling part of the aquarium, Dangerous Lagoon features a moving walkway that transports visitors through a massive underwater tunnel (a video of which is available below). Surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays, visitors get an up-close and personal experience with some of the ocean’s most formidable predators. The immersive design of this exhibit often leaves visitors feeling like they are one with the exhibit. I have to really commend the curators for the effort put in here to connect visitors with the ocean and the life within in. After experiencing the journey through this tank, I felt a revived passion and ambition to fight for our oceans. I hope members of the general public also feel this way too.
Once you leave the Dangerous Lagoon, you end up at the Discovery Centre. This is an interactive area that is particularly popular with children, which isn’t surprising as it is targetted towards them. It includes touch tanks where visitors can gently interact with horseshoe crabs, sharks, and rays. The Discovery Centre also features educational displays and interactive games that make learning about marine life fun and engaging. More importantly for myself though, it also has a café which is where I had some pizza and a cup of tea, while reflecting on what I had just experienced a few moments ago. Leaving the café, you enter The Gallery. This gallery showcases some of the most delicate and captivating aquatic species from around the world. This exhibit features six saltwater and three freshwater habitats, each highlighting creatures renowned for their unique adaptations and striking appearances. Each species demonstrates fascinating behaviours such as camouflage, precision hunting, and rapid colour changes. The cuttlefish were probably one of my favourite species to see up close within The Gallery, closely followed by the weedy sea dragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus).
The Shipwrecks exhibit offers visitors an immersive journey into the mysterious world of sunken ships, the marine life that thrives around them and sea monsters (see below). This exhibit features a variety of aquatic species that inhabit shipwrecks, such as the peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), known for its powerful claws and complex vision and the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a jawless fish with a unique parasitic feeding mechanism. Other species include the rainbow surfperch (Hypsurus caryi), tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine), and various types of seabream, each adapted to life among the wreckage. The exhibit also includes artefacts and educational materials about shipwrecks and their ecological significance, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience for visitors interested in marine biology and underwater archaeology. This area reminds me very much of Monsters of the Deep, which I visited in 2023 – which I feel may have been inspired by the Aquarium. Coincidentally, I am hoping to review a book soon on the topic of sea monsters so keep an eye out for that!
Exiting Shipwrecks, the next gallery you encounter is Ray Bay. In this gallery, visitors can observe various species of rays gliding gracefully through the water. The open-tank design allows for an unobstructed view, and visitors may even witness feeding sessions where the rays exhibit their fascinating behaviour. The ray species housed in this tank include the cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), southern stingray (Hypanus americanus), spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), and roughtail stingray (Dasyatis centroura). The exhibit features a 350,000-litre lagoon that simulates the natural environment of these graceful creatures. Guests can enjoy daily dive shows where divers feed the stingrays, providing educational insights into their behavior and biology. Additionally, the Shoreline Gallery found in the upper gallery allows visitors to gently touch the stingrays, enhancing the interactive experience, and helping with the personal connection to these creatures that are sometimes feared due to their perceived danger.
The final gallery before ascending up the ramp at the end of the Aquarium is Planet Jellies. This is a display of a variety of jellyfish species displayed in backlit tanks that change colour, creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. The delicate, pulsating movements of the jellyfish are calming, making this exhibit a highlight for many visitors. The gallery features several cylindrical tanks which showcases five species of jellyfish, including the Pacific sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens), moon jelly (Aurelia aurita), spotted jelly (Mastigias papua), and upside-down jelly (Cassiopea andromeda). The tanks are designed to highlight the graceful movements and unique structures of the jellyfish, creating a captivating visual experience. The exhibit also includes educational materials about the life cycle of jellyfish, providing an informative and engaging experience for visitors interested in marine biology.
The atmosphere within the aquarium is immersive, with low lighting and soothing underwater sounds that enhance the experience of being submerged in the marine world. The information panels accompanying each exhibit are informative, offering insights into the species on display, their habitats, and conservation efforts. Ripley’s Aquarium is not just a place to observe marine life; it’s also a centre for education. The aquarium offers a variety of programs and events aimed at increasing awareness about marine conservation. There are also daily dive shows where visitors can watch divers feed the animals and interact with the marine life in several exhibits (including the Ray Bay). These shows are accompanied by educational commentary that provides fascinating facts about the creatures being fed.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is designed with visitor experience in mind, offering a blend of education and entertainment. The layout is intuitive, allowing for a smooth flow through the exhibits. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible and provides ample seating throughout, which is ideal for visitors who need to take breaks while exploring (or to grab a snack). The gift shop, located near the exit, sells a wide range of marine-themed merchandise, from educational toys to souvenirs. Given its popularity, Ripley’s Aquarium can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and during school holidays. For a more relaxed experience, it’s advisable to visit on a weekday or later in the evening. The aquarium also offers timed tickets to help manage visitor flow, which can significantly reduce wait times. The price of entry is a little expensive, but it gets cheaper after 5pm, and with the Aquarium being open until 11pm you can go a little later after bed time for most of the children. This will provide a more tranquil setting and as visitors can go around as many times as they like, you could easily spend an evening at the Aquarium.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is committed to marine conservation and education, the aquarium participates in several conservation programs aimed at protecting endangered species and preserving marine habitats. It also promotes sustainable practices, such as reducing single-use plastics and encouraging responsible seafood consumption. In conclusion, it is a top-tier attraction that offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. With its diverse exhibits, interactive displays, and commitment to education and conservation, the aquarium provides both entertainment and knowledge in equal measure. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium is a journey into the wonders of the underwater world that shouldn’t be missed.
One last thing before you watch the video below…I was able to find some amphibians! Despite the fact there are no amphibians that live in the ocean, the Aquarium did have some axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum). These remarkable amphibians which are native to Mexico are renowned for theur unique ability to retain larval features throughout its life and regrow limbs. It is this superpower that Ripley’s highlight as can be seen in the images above. This capacity to regenerate lost body parts is extraordinary with them being able to replace limbs, spinal cord, heart, and even portions of their brain, making them a subject of extensive scientific research. They are also a popular pet, so you may be familiar with them. They were placed right near the shop and the last species that I saw before trying so demonstrate some self-control.
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