Ripleys Aquarium of Canada: Worth Visiting (Believe It or Not!)

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

This franchise is globally famous for showcasing bizarre happenings and oddities. It was founded by Robert Ripley in 1918. Their highlights of unbelievable wonders started in book and newspaper cartoons. Today, it’s an extensive collection of real-life anomaly exhibits at over 100 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attractions and Ripley’s Aquariums in 10 countries. 

By the way, quick reminder…

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An enlightening aquatic experience fit for any age, the Ripley’s Aquarium nurtures conservation and immersive learning. Its huge underwater realm hosts 2 levels of interactive marine life exhibits and encounters. I’d recommend 2 – 3 hours to experience the entire aquarium at a leisurely pace.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Exhibits

There are thousands of animals and hundreds of species on display here! The live inhabitants are grouped in massive tanks and enclosures. Each habitat has signage that identifies and shares quirky facts about its occupants. The 2-tiered aquatic showcase includes:

• Canadian Waters exhibit – Animals that live in local waters, from the Great Lakes to Canada’s 3 bordering oceans (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean)
• Rainbow Reef & Graffiti Reef exhibits – Tropical fish (including parrotfish) and vibrant coral reefs
• Kelp Forest exhibit – 2 stories of a leaf-like algae ecosystem
• Planet Jellies exhibit – Hypnotic jellyfish 
• Ray Bay exhibit– Sting rays 
• Gallery exhibit – Seahorses and eels
• Dangerous Lagoon exhibit – Arced viewing tunnel with sharks swimming overhead
• Dragons exhibit – Amphibians and reptiles 
• Discovery Centre exhibit – Deep dive of information displayed in a submarine setting
• Shoreline Gallery – Hands-on lagoon with stingrays
• Life Support Systems – An insider look at the powerful pumps that run Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Besides the expositions there are other areas for patrons to explore. Near the beginning of the attraction, there’s a photoshoot area where you can take multiple shots against a screen. Later on, a digital photo album and choices of customized keepsakes are available for purchase with the photos superimposed against various aquatic backgrounds. There’s a cafe to grab food and drinks amidst the vibrant displays. It’s close to a merch shop filled with marine life souvenirs and toys.

Top Highlights from Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Of the 2 levels and plethora of displays, these were the 4 must-see parts of Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto in my opinion. 

4) Planet Jellies is 1 of the most extensive jellyfish exhibits worldwide. It looks almost extraterrestrial with the bulbous jellyfish heads, ribbon-like tentacles and tank lighting. The ethereal floating jellyfish create a sort of lava lamp effect as they move through the coloured water.

3) Ray Bay has various types and sizes of rays swimming about. Its wall-to-wall tank shows another side of the stingrays (literally). As they swim up to the glass there’s a view of their underside ‘happy face’ made of gills, curved mouth and dot-like nostrils. Interestingly, I felt more connected to the rays in this area as some seemed to mirror my movement through the glass.

2) The interactive Shoreline Gallery’s shallow lagoon is populated with stingrays gliding through the water. Employees may be standing in the knee-high pool feeding the rays or cleaning the area. Patrons can reach out to touch the upper, dorsal side of passing rays. Heads up: they have a slightly slimy feel which caught me off guard. That made me think I made the right choice skipping encounters at Stingray City in Antigua on a previous trip.

1) Probably the most impressive feature at Ripley’s Aquarium Toronto is the Dangerous Lagoon. It’s the longest underwater viewing tunnel (315 ft) in North America! A moving walkway glides through an arced tank that surrounds patrons with sharks, fish and sea turtles. The whole glidepath is a literal learning curve with placards about the species swimming beside and above. 

Is Ripley’s Aquarium Toronto Worth It?

The biodiversity, extensive fun fact collection and modern, massive space of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is what makes it 1 of Toronto’s popular attractions. I think it’s an ideal excursion for the intellectually curious, marine enthusiasts, urban travellers, history buffs, minors and families. 

This was my 2nd Ripley’s attraction experience. The 1st was the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Times Square, New York. The collective experience of both attractions was, dare I say, unbelievable. The New York Ripley’s museum location has since closed though. I would definitely say it’s worth a visit once it aligns with your interests and a couple hours can be dedicated to it.

Aquarium goers can easily pair a visit here with the iconic CN Tower or a Blue Jays baseball game at the Roger’s Centre– all 3 attractions are beside each other! 

Which areas of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada would you like to take a deep dive in???