Attractions
A group of friends walking on a bridge (Patrice Halley photo)
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre plants Sidney on the eco-tourism map of the world.
Snugly located in the Sidney Pier Building, this is the contemporary aquarium at its best. Tanks and exhibits evoke a sense of wonder at the undersea world.
Another excellent learning experience is available across the street at Mineral World, where kids of all ages can explore in the Scratch Patch. Peer inside a kid-sized volcano, find out which rocks float and collect a bag of gemstones to take home.
Sidney Marine Life
The 930sqm/10,000sqft, 17-aquaria Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is dedicated to the mysterious tapestry of marine life in the Salish Sea, the body of water between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Visitors are transfixed right off the bat with aquaria of jellyfish and brilliant orange sea nettles.
The jellyfish, in perpetual dance mode, are as fluid and graceful as a troupe of ballerinas.
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The sea nettles resemble a platoon of sky divers, parachutes opening, closing and opening again as they descend, and life-sized Orcas swim across a giant video screen.
Remember the camera – photographers are free to shoot to their hearts' content.
Ocean Discovery Galleries
The aquarium divides into four principal galleries. Gallery of the Drifters introduces people to the ocean food web and the interplay of algae, plankton and jellies that sustains all marine life.
Gallery of the Salish Sea habitats feature hundreds of fish and shellfish from the Salish Sea, including wolf eels, rockfish, salmon, scallops, sea cucumbers and warbonnets. The giant Pacific octopus, with its parrot-like beak and capacity to change color for camouflage, steals the show.
Ocean's Heartbeat is a high-tech classroom that takes newcomers on voyages of discovery through the microscope and live internet links to undersea sites. A streaming video from underwater at Sidney's Bevan Avenue Pier hypnotizes viewers with its unsuspected complexity, richness and beauty.
The centre's fourth gallery is Touch Pools. That's right, sidle up and get intimately acquainted with sea urchins, sea stars and other critters whose touch makes children squeal. Kids demonstrate an instant and profound sense of connection. Adults often do too.
Kids Take Action
The momentum carries through to the "Take Action" wall that encourages children to write letters and sign petitions to save the seas. Junior activists are born here. A sampling of the kids' promises:
"I promise to… be nice to sea cucumbers."
"I promise to... respect all sea life in its habitat and not make fun of ugly fish."
"I promise to… keep loving and learning about nature and sea life until I'm old and grey."
Mineral World
A family-oriented, hands-on facility, Mineral World makes learning about Earth Science fun. Admission to the interactive Scratch Patch includes a small “collector bag” (upgrades to larger bags are possible) that can be filled with polished semi-precious gemstones. There are more than 80 varieties to choose among.
In addition, explore the inside of a small replica volcano and brush up on some interesting rock- and mineral-related trivia. Always wondered how minerals get their diverse colours? Want to learn how sedimentary rocks are created? This is the place to do it!
For more information, drop into the Sidney Visitor Centre at 10382 Pat Bay Highway, just two minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
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Visitor Centres
6 Attractions in Sidney
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1
1
2207 Millstream Rd
Victoria, British Columbia
V9B 0J7
Websitehttp://www.allfun.bc.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-474-4546
All Fun offers an exciting blend of activities & action that make it the perfect place for a day of family fun! We feature a thrilling go-kart raceway, challenging batting cages & 18 hole mini golf, a motocross track, an ice cream parlor, along with Western Speedway where you can watch auto racing action Saturday nights. Stay overnight at our RV Park & visit the track Sunday mornings to hunt for treasures at our huge Swap & Shop. Ask about our group rates, birthday parties & special event packages.
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2
490 Bellevue Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1W9
Websitehttp://www.pacificunderseagardens.com
Toll-free
Phone250-382-5717
Pacific Undersea Gardens is truly a unique adventure for the whole family. Located in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, Pacific Undersea Gardens provides the world with an exciting & convenient way to view the marine life of the British Columbia coastal region.
Visitors descend 5 meters beneath the ocean to watch a variety of marine plants and animals. More than 5,000 animals of different species inhabit the aquariums around the vessel in a natural but protected environment. Through the many viewing windows, visitors can look right into the underwater world of the Pacific Northwest.
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3
9811 Seaport Pl
Sidney, British Columbia
V8L 4X3
Websitehttp://www.oceandiscovery.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-665-7511
Hands on, hands wet! Colourful aquarium habitats teem with marine life from the Salish Sea. Guests have the opportunity to shake hands with sea urchins & tickle sea stars in the touch pools. Hundreds of fish, invertebrates & marine plants recreate the ocean environment & give an underwater view that most people never experience. Discover the amazing diversity of the Salish Sea.
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is minutes from the Victoria International Airport & BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay. Stop on by before making your way to downtown Victoria!
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4
1767 Island Hwy
Victoria, British Columbia
V9B 1J1
Websitehttp://www.wildplay.com
Toll-free888-856-7275
Phone250-590-7529
At WildPlay West Shore Victoria, guests (ages seven years & older) embark on entertaining & challenging 30-minute to half-day adventures. The ever-popular Monkido Kids, Buddy & Classic tree courses provide four levels of climbing, swinging, balancing & zip-line obstacles - suspended up to 18m (60ft) above ground! Guests of all bravery & physical ability conquer the Monkido games - & love to unleash an aerial adventure. WildPlay is a fun day for singles, families & groups to conquer one of Victoria's most unique attractions. Talk to a Guest Services Agent or visit WildPlay online to find out more!
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Other businesses with Attractions
5
5128C Sooke Rd
Victoria, British Columbia
V9Z 0E2
Websitehttp://www.adrenalinezip.com
Toll-free866-947-9145
Phone250-642-1933
Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours take you on a fully-guided, two hour zipline tour through a diverse coastal temperate rainforest. The tour includes 8 scenic ziplines, 2 suspension bridges & an exhilarating ATV ride. Ziplines range from 40 to 305 m (130-1,000 ft) in length & up to 46 m (150 ft) high. Night zipping is available once a month. Experience our amazing zipline tour at the end of October via our Haunted Zip. Shuttle transportation to our Sooke location is available twice a day from Victoria Inner Harbour. Add some zip to your trip at this popular outdoor attraction. Reservations recommended.
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6
1234-N Wharf St
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 3H9
Websitehttp://www.victoriaharbourferry.com
Toll-free
Phone250-708-0201
Victoria Harbour Ferry Tours is world-renowned as one of the best guided tours in the province of British Columbia. Experience marine life, historical landmarks, First Nations history, unique sailboats & yachts, seaplanes, waterside dining, float home communities & friendly skippers. Join thousands of sightseers & watch the free Harbour Ferry water ballet on summer Sundays at 10:45 am, performed in the Inner Harbour. Choose between a Harbour Ferry Tour or a Gorge Waterway Tour, or opt for both for a discounted rate! Both are great outings that your family and friends will especially enjoy. Special family & senior rates. Ask about Pickle Pub Crawls!
Activity Zones- Fisherman's Wharf
Bridges, Buildings- Famous Johnson Street Bridge
Bus/Coach/Shuttle- Our Water Taxi's will get you where you need to go!
Ferries- Tours and Water Taxi Services
Parks- We connect to Bamfield Park
Public Markets- Ship's Point Market
Taxi/Limo- Our Water Taxi's are efficient and affordable
Wildlife Viewing- See seals, herons and other marine life
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