Perched on Sidney’s waterfront, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is Vancouver Island’s largest aquarium and one of the most distinctive in Canada. It offers an interactive and informative experience for all ages, featuring 160 species of marine life, a marine mammal artifact exhibit, and a unique Coast Salish art collection.

This isn’t just an aquarium — it’s a celebration of the living ecosystem right outside the door. The W̱SÁNEĆ, or “Saltwater People,” have sustainably interacted with the Salish Sea for over ten thousand years, and their culture and language are woven throughout the exhibits, giving visitors a richer sense of place that few attractions can match.

Across 30 aquarium habitats, visitors journey from seashore to seafloor — from anemones and nudibranchs to salmon and sculpins — with highlights including a giant Pacific octopus, wolf eels, and a rare orca skeleton. A submarine-themed entrance sets the tone from the moment you arrive, and the jellyfish display is a consistent crowd favourite.

At the Touch Pool, visitors can gently touch a sea urchin and be tickled by a sea star, guided by knowledgeable volunteers called Oceaneers — all with views out over the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea.

Limited free two-hour parking is available in the Sidney Pier Hotel parkade below the building, and Sidney has plenty of additional free public parking nearby.