Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: A Fun Family Day in Toronto

Summer is winding down, but there is still time to make the most of your remaining vacation days. Recently, I visited two Toronto attractions with my two-year-old daughter and husband, making it a memorable family getaway in the heart of the city. We stayed at Cambridge Suites, conveniently located downtown. The hotel is about a 23-minute walk to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, or just 9 minutes by car and roughly 15 minutes by public transit. This makes it an ideal base for exploring Toronto attractions.

About Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Built in 2013, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is one of the top family-friendly attractions in Toronto. It features over 16,000 marine animals, representing 450 species of fish and invertebrates.

It is Canada’s largest indoor aquarium, holding 5.7 million litres (1.5 million gallons) of water, and home to one of the largest collections of sharks in North America.

If you are an ocean lover, this attraction easily becomes a bucket-list experience. If you have a travel bucket list, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in Toronto should absolutely be on it.

Aquarium Layout and Galleries

• Canadian Waters
• Rainbow Reef
• Dangerous Lagoon
• Discovery Centre
• The Gallery
• Ray Bay
• Planet Jellies
• Life Support Systems
• Shoreline Gallery

Arrival Experience & Tips

We were fortunate that the aquarium was not overly busy during our visit, which made the experience much more enjoyable, especially with a toddler.

Because Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada can get very crowded, I highly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid long lineups.

As we entered, we immediately noticed the beautiful view into the Discovery Centre on the lower level.

Canadian Waters Gallery

We began our visit in the Canadian Waters Gallery, which showcases native species such as:

• American Lobster
• Giant Pacific Octopus
• Largemouth Bass
• American Eel
• Arctic Grayling
• China Rockfish

One interesting fact we learned is that American eels are covered in a thin layer of mucus. My daughter loved the anemone wall featuring seven varieties, while I was drawn to the rare electric blue lobster from the Atlantic Ocean.

Rainbow Reef

The Rainbow Reef showcases tropical Indo-Pacific marine life, including:

• Surgeonfish
• Angelfish
• Damsels
• Chromis
• Butterfly Fish
• Clownfish

The vibrant colours make this one of the most visually stunning sections of the aquarium.

Dangerous Lagoon (Shark Tunnel Experience)

One of the highlights of our visit was the Dangerous Lagoon.

This dark, atmospheric exhibit features a moving walkway through a glass tunnel where sharks, sea turtles, sawfish, and moray eels swim overhead.

Walking through a tunnel surrounded by sharks is an unforgettable experience and was easily our favourite gallery.

Ray Bay & Planet Jellies

At Ray Bay, stingrays glide gracefully through the water, creating a calming experience.

Planet Jellies was another favourite, showcasing glowing jellyfish in beautifully lit tanks along with educational displays about their life cycle.

Discovery Centre (Kid-Friendly Highlight)

The Discovery Centre is one of the most interactive areas of the aquarium and perfect for children.

• Soft play area
• Hands-on exhibits
• Research submarine
• Touch pool with horseshoe crabs
• Underwater viewing bubbles
• St. Lawrence Seaway lock display

My daughter especially loved the underwater bubble viewing stations and did not want to leave. There is also a café/snack area for families to take a break.

Life Support Systems

This gallery allows visitors to see how the aquarium filtration system works. While more educational than interactive, it is very interesting for adults.

Shoreline Gallery

The Shoreline Gallery features stingrays and sharks that visitors can interact with. After about two hours, our toddler was tired, so we ended our visit and headed back to rest before our next adventure.

Final Thoughts

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada offers a wide range of attractions suitable for all ages. It is a fantastic family-friendly activity in Toronto and a perfect way to wrap up a summer vacation. Watching the fish was the highlight of my daughter’s day, and the stingray feeding added excitement for all of us. We also stopped by the Cargo Hold Gift Shop and picked up a small souvenir to remember our visit.

Visitor Information

Location: 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto (next to Rogers Centre and CN Tower)

Recommended time: 2–3 hours

Ticket prices (approx.):

• Adults: $29.98
• Youth/Seniors: $19.98
• Children (3–5): $9.98
• Children under 2: Free
• Discounted evening tickets available after 7 PM

Ripley’s Aquarium also offers yoga sessions, photography workshops, and “sleep with the sharks” overnight experiences.

About Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

The aquarium is supported by a team of marine biologists and aquarists who ensure high standards of animal care, conservation, and education under AZA and CAZA guidelines. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is open 365 days a year.

The next day, we took a short drive to the Toronto Zoo for more summer family fun.