Sidney & Salish Aquarium

Trip Information

Connecting the public with the Salish Sea Bioregion and its ecosystems through engagement, knowledge and awareness, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea offers a fun, interactive and informative experience of science and culture to visitors of all ages – welcoming over 70,000 visitors a year. It is a top destination for families, school groups, and tourists as the only aquarium in Greater Victoria and Canada's only aquarium and learning centre dedicated exclusively to the Salish Sea.

Located on the breathtaking Sidney waterfront - on the traditional lands of the WSÁNEĆ Nations of the Coast Salish Indigenous peoples - the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea opened in 2009 and is an award winning aquarium and learning centre dedicated exclusively to the Salish Sea Bioregion. A unique non-profit organization, the Centre combines live aquarium habitats and marine mammal artifact displays (science & nature) with a permanent Coast Salish art collection (arts & culture), as well as public and school learning programs and locally-focused Salish Sea Store - providing an amazing opportunity for learning, exploration, and conservation of the natural beauty, ecological diversity, and cultural story of the Salish Sea.

• 35 aquarium habitats featuring more than 160 marine species and 3,500 animals including a giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels and shallow pools to get up close to colourful sea stars, urchins, anemones, and sea cucumbers

• A touch pool

• A rare, fully intact killer whale skeleton and other marine mammal artifacts

• A unique collection of Coast Salish Indigenous art

• A Salish Sea Store with one-of-a-kind, locally sourced, Salish Sea and Coast Salish-focused, and environmentally-friendly arts, jewellery, food, crafts and much more

• Public programming and self-guided tours to more than 70,000 visitors annually including 10,000 school-aged students experiencing curriculum-based programs and summer camps - https://www.salishseacentre.org/centre

We will be fortunate enough to have an Aquarium Educator with us for an hour long tour of the centre. They will be talking all things marine science. Come out to learn, to ask questions and to have a whole lot of fun! Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the beautiful town of Sidney. 

• Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and for walking

What to Bring:

• Umbrella or rain coat (in case it rains)
• Water bottle 
• Money if you wish to shop
• Snacks & lunch (or money for food)
• A backpack to carry all your items
• Camera

Meeting Location: 

VIU Building 255, Main Lobby (second floor) at 9 am

Trip Includes:

Round-trip Transportation, Access to the Salish Sea Aquarium, 1 hour Educational Tour of Aquarium with Expert, Free time in Sidney

Policies, Health & Safety

We have an ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and quality of our trips, with trained and responsible student leaders, staff and community partners. Before you sign-up, please check out our policies & procedures for more information about how to prepare for a trip, as well as our cancellation policy.

How to Sign Up

Our activities are available to all current VIU Students. Sign up with us in person, next to the Front Reception Desk in the "Glassroom" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm – 1:30pm in Building 255 - Second Floor.

You will need to have your:

1. Student card,
2. Proof of medical insurance (BC Care Card or Guard.me Insurance Policy)
3. Payment (cash is currently the only method of payment for activities)

Waiver Form

Please read our general waiver form for VIU group activities in the attachment section below. All participants are required to read and sign the waiver before the start of the trip. We will provide a paper copy for you to read through again and sign the morning of the trip.

Contact

Robin Lemmens, Activity Program Coordinator
phone: 250-753-3245, Ext. 2228
e-mail: Robin.lemmens@viu.ca