Take a Behind-the-Scenes Aquarium Tour

Tours currently run Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays at 11:30am and 2:00pm. Other days/times may be available, for groups of 4 or more, with minimum 7 days advance notice!

Does the prospect of seeing a massive sump get your heart pumping? If so, this is the tour for you!

Answer the question ‘What goes on back there?’ From looking in on a sculpin nursery to seeing where our jellyfish “come from”, you’ll step into a side of the aquarium that is not normally open to visitors. Led by a knowledgeable aquarist, this tour offers a rare look at our habitats, our water systems, and our methods all behind the scenes.

Content is subject to change without notice based on operational needs.

We recommend you arrive 30-45 minutes before your tour time in order to experience the aquarium and our animal ambassadors on your own time before diving into the behind the scenes on how we care for them. 

The tour is approximately 45 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Not suitable for those with seafood allergies, noise sensitives or who use mobility devices. 

Email groups@salishseacentre.org to reserve your spot (or to enquire about special accommodations).

  • Available at 11:30am and 2:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

    Cost is Regular Admission plus $17+tax (per person). Members receive a 10% discount.

    6 people maximum (2 people minimum). For larger groups please contact us to discuss possible accommodations.

    Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult (19+).

    Minimum of 48 hours advanced notice recommended. Book by emailing groups@salishseacentre.org

    Walk in availability dependent on day, inquire with our team at the front desk while purchasing your day admission! 

  • For our Behind-The-Scenes Tour guests must be comfortable navigating stairs, uneven surfaces and narrow areas. Certain areas viewed are only accessible by stairs. The use of mobility devices (such as wheelchairs or walkers) is not possible on our BTS tours.

    Since the areas being toured are working areas there is often additional noise compared to a regular aquarium visit. These sometimes loud noises are the pumps, sumps and other systems needed to care for our animals and habitats. Our team works to speak over the noise clearly, please let them know if you cannot hear them.

    Allergens are a real thing in all workplaces! Since our animal ambassadors eat a variety of seafood, and you will be touring where that food is prepared, please be mindful of your allergies. This tour is not suited for those with severe shellfish or seafood allergies.

    If you have additional questions around accessibility, please feel free to email us at groups@salishseacentre.org

  • Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate in our Behind-The-Scenes Tour. All guests under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult (19+ years old).

    Please wear appropriate footwear. Such as closed-toed shoes with no heel. Throughout the tour you will explore areas that have uneven flooring, gaps in flooring, stairs, and other conditions. These are active working areas and shoes such as high heels are not permitted.

    Food and drinks (excluding water in bottles) are not allowed in behind-the-scenes areas.

    All guests on the tour must sign a waiver at check in.

  • The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea reserves the right to cancel the tour with limited notice due to emergency events. These may include rare instances related to animal welfare, or operation concerns. In which case, a full refund for the Behind-the-Scenes tour will apply.