Inside seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers, you can find countless one-of-a-kind creatures. Over millions of years, aquatic animals have formed fascinating specialties to master skills like camouflage and predation. Observing their unique biological traits in action is a chance to witness eons of natural history slithering before your eyes. And even if you went for dozens of dives around the globe, you would never encounter as many of these outstanding creatures as you can at a world-class aquarium.
Drawing from marine and freshwater habitats around the world, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada brings you face to face with the most colorful and stimulating aquatic wonders in existence. Explore nine distinct galleries formed around their own aquatic theme and discover 18,000 animals spanning 450 distinct species.
Dip into Canadian Waters
Canada is covered by tens of thousands of lakes, and lurking inside them lives unique wildlife found nowhere else in the world. As much as 9% of Canada's surface is covered with freshwater. And between the North Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the Arctic, Canada has its choice of oceans. The Canadian Waters gallery is a glimpse into those icy waters, observing creatures that dwell in kelp forests and frozen lakes from the comfort of an indoor aquarium. Among 17 distinct exhibits, you'll find giant pacific octopus, prehistoric paddlefish, and the fearsome wolf eel.
Be Dazzled by Rainbow Reef
For aquatic life in the tropics, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto has recreated a slice of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Coral reefs are home to countless tiny ecosystems, which is why they have as much biodiversity as a rainforest. Rainbow Reef is a kaleidoscope of colorful creatures dwelling in equally fascinating habitats. Here you'll become submerged among thousands of uniquely brilliant habitats. As the aquarium's most diverse exhibit, Rainbow Reef is home to more than 100 species, including the batfish, unicorn surgeonfish, and the Picasso triggerfish.
Dive into Dangerous Lagoon & the Gallery
Take a journey on the longest moving sidewalk in North America as you glide through the Dangerous Lagoon. Traversing this underwater tunnel exhibit is the closest you can get to aquatic wildlife without getting wet in the process. As the largest exhibit, Dangerous Lagoon is an in-depth experience that sticks you side-by-side with sharks, green moray eels, green sea turtles, and more.
Your next stop is the Gallery, home of Ripley's camouflage experts. Inside six saltwater exhibits and three freshwater exhibits, you'll discover electric eels, seahorses, piranhas, and cuttlefish.
Marvel at Ray Bay & Planet Jellies
Like birds through the air, stingrays use flattened bodies and fins to gracefully glide through the water. Elegantly striding through the waves makes stingrays one of the most visually stimulating and popular species at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. Here you'll find both saltwater and freshwater rays, including four species of stingray, including cownose rays, spotted eagle rays and devil rays as well as one species of shark.
As you continue through the aquarium you'll finally encounter the incredible Planet Jellies. Inside you can see one of the largest kreisel tanks in the world, a special horizontal cylinder needed to support the fragile bodies of jellyfish. Jellyfish can be seen swimming overhead inside a stunning ceiling exhibit, and you'll get a firsthand look at how jellies grow and develop.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada - Hours of Operation and Events
For current hours of operation, please refer to the attraction's website.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada - Autism Services
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada has been designated as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Additionally, a Sensory guides is available and Ripley's Aquarium of Canada hosts monthly sensory-friendly days , which will offer increased lighting, a music-free environment and a quiet room for guests who require a break.
For more information on the services offered by the aquarium, please visit their official website.
Tips for Your Best Visit to the Aquarium
How busy is Ripley's Aquarium of Canada? If you're looking to avoid the crowd, most people visit the aquarium between 11am and 2pm on weekdays, or 11am and 4pm on weekends and holidays.
While you can spend as long as you like inside the aquarium, most guests spend on average two hours inside the aquarium. Please note that they do not allow any in and out privileges.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada - Ticket Attendance Prices and Packages
How much is Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto? Aquarium ticket prices are based on age with adult, youth, senior and child tickets. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada also offers promotions such as Sharks After Dark where you can save $5 after 5pm daily, but the best way to save on admission for Toronto's top attractions is with CityPASS© tickets. With Toronto CityPASS© tickets, you won't have to pay separate admission over and over to see attractions like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Zoo, CN Tower, and Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. You'll save on admission, and you'll save time by skipping ticket lines.
Plan Your Visit
Although there is no onsite parking you can find dozens of parking options within three blocks. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada does not allow you to reenter once you've left, so don't forget anything before entering!
Photography is allowed, so bring your camera and take some FIN-tastic selfies while standing next to a shark! And remember that flash is not permitted for the safety of the animals! And because the aquarium is indoors, you won't have to worry about the sun, but you may want to dress for the weather if you plan on seeing other nearby attractions.
Gift Shop and Café
Although outside food isn't permitted, inside you'll find no trouble grabbing a bite to eat at Ripley's Café. Their menu includes something for everyone, from wraps and salads and chicken fingers Then make sure to check out the Cargo Hold, Ripley's gift shop, filled with marine-themed souvenirs and gifts to remember your trip.In the Heart of Toronto
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, right under the CN Tower and within walking distance of the beautiful harbourfront and amazing bars and restaurants the aquarium is the perfect location to start your Toronto adventure!
Nearby Lodging
To get the most out of your stay in Toronto, we recommend finding lodging near Toronto's top attractions like Ripley's Aquarium. Use this map to find the right lodging for you: