Saluting Shark Week, the Vancouver Aquarium is inviting visitors to get up close with these fierce yet fascinating animals with a Shark Week Giveaway from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30 and a chance to experience an exclusive feeding with sharks or stingrays (‘flattened’ shark cousins).
Perfect for those intrigued by sharks and stingrays, the lucky visitors will be randomly chosen upon arrival to enjoy behind-the-scenes access and dedicated time with an expert while helping feed these animals.
With replenishable teeth, six senses, and unparalleled survival skills, sharks are the ultimate aquatic predator.
Terrifying stories have given sharks a bad rap but, believe it or not, these animals have an even more frightening predator – humans. Most shark species have never been known to attack humans, with an average of only four to 12 shark-related deaths reported each year.
On the flip side, more than 100 million sharks are killed annually due to humans overfishing; now that’s scary stuff. Stingrays are not immune to this problem either. A quarter of the world’s sharks and stingrays are now threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
During Shark Week, Aquarium visitors can dive into the world of sharks and stingrays, learn about their unique characteristics, gain a better understanding of the challenges they face in the wild, as well as how to help through these fin-tastic programs and activities:
Learn about Shark Senses, Secret Lives of Sharks, and more though talks in the Tropic Zone at 11:00am & 4:00pm daily.
Hear stories about the sharks living off the B.C. coast during the Cold Blood in Cold Waters program in Pacific Canada Pavilion at 12:00pm & 3:00pm daily.
Get hands on with stingrays in the Discover Rays gallery from 10:15 to 11:15am, 12:00pm to 1:15pm, 2:00pm to 3:45pm, and 4:15pm to 5:30pm daily.
Catch a screening of the thrilling 4-D experience, Coastal Predators, following the greatest gathering of ocean predators on the planet.
Shark Week at the Vancouver Aquarium
Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park, 845 Avison Way When: Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30 from 9:30am to 6:00pm
The Shark Week Giveaway is included with membership or admission. Giveaway winners will be randomly chosen by Admissions staff upon arrival. Admission tickets can be purchased onsite or online.
Follow the Vancouver Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Views are my own. Our tour was compliments of Landsea Tours. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
My full time job is to research, explore, publish, and promote our beautiful city and while I’ve honed my craft over the last 13 years, I still get stumped from time to time when it comes to planning our own local adventures. With 7 family members visiting us this month from all over the US Midwest, I knew I wanted to show off at least two things: The ocean and the mountains aka the Sea to Sky. Thankfully, the folks at Landsea Tours have the perfect tour for just such a request, the Sea to Sky Tour!
Sea to Sky Tour with Landsea Tours
I booked a tour in advance and on the morning of our experience, all 9 of us Bollwitts met our guide Meghan for the day and piled into a comfy sprinter van that was parked outside our guests’ hotel. The first stop was just 20 minutes away at Sewell’s Marine at Horseshoe Bay where we got suited up for a zodiac deep fjord tour across Howe Sound. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary with 25 Ways to Heritage, a list of 25 ways the public can engage with heritage.
25 Ways to Heritage
From taking a moment to appreciate the details and craftsmanship of Vancouver’s historic buildings, to learning more about the diverse history of our city, planning a special visit, or even rolling up your sleeves and getting hands-on, there are lots of ways to take part and help us celebrate 25 years.
Examples — just 2 of 25!
Join John Atkin for a free walking tour of the West Hastings Street corridor on July 28th. See how this important historic street has evolved from fashion centre to business district, and learn about some of its impressive buildings.
Look up from your daily commute at the incredible ceiling of Waterfront Station. Completed in 1916 by Adelaide Langford, the paintings depict the Rocky Mountains from Calgary to Vancouver.
Go on a heritage adventure in your own town by visiting a heritage site or doing a heritage task. Then post a selfie or photo of your group to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram of your heritage adventure using #25waystoheritage to be entered for a chance to win a VHF prize pack valued at $70.
Help VHF ensure a positive future for historic places and all the benefits they bring to our city, and make heritage part of your summer!
Follow the Vancouver Heritage Foundation on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is published in partnership with FestivalSeekersPlease review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
My friends at FestivalSeekers have put together this roundup and they also have the chance for you to win a trip to Nanaimo! Explore BC this summer and make these festivals your destination for fun, whether you’re into riding through the Rockies, attending a play held in a harbour and a gathering where the entire family can have fun from sun up to sun down.
Win a trip to Nanaimo
Choose between two festivals and then explore the town and the activities that will give you a great taste of how to #ExploreNanaimo. Dining, trekking to waterfalls and go caving before settling down at the Long Woodstock or Summertime Blues Festival. Enter the contest here »
Ride the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
September 9, 2017
New and experienced road cyclists love the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo and it all comes down to the scenery and the hospitality. The group ride (it’s not classified a race) rolls through scenic valleys, along quiet trails and along wide shouldered highways. Find out why the coveted event fills up fast via this story from @PowderMatt.
Hone Your Photo Skills at Nomadic Tempest in Gibsons
July 26, 2017 to July 29, 2017
Water is everywhere in Gibsons Landing and it can either make or ruin a photo. I spent a day learning tips for capturing waterfront activity in perfect light. Test your newfound skills during Nomadic Tempest, when a tall ship turns into a stage right in the harbour.
Dance, Dance, Dance at Atmosphere Gathering
August 18, 2017 to August 20, 2017
The little town of Cumberland invites you to come to the big Atmosphere Gathering and explore new ideas in dance, music, yoga and new age activities – all in a beautiful valley with a mesmerizing circus-style tent. It’s a magical three-day event that the whole family can enjoy.
For more festival listings and summer fun throughout BC and Alberta, follow FestivalSeekers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Vancouver Aquarium After Hours invites guests to enjoy food, wine, beer, and a specialty cocktail while exploring their galleries and making new connections. Spend quality time with your date, bestie, or pals and 50,000+ aquatic creatures during the adults-only event.
Vancouver Aquarium After Hours
Where: Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park (845 Avison Way) When: Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm Tickets: On sale now for $23 (members), $31 (non-members)
Steller’s Bay Sea Lions
Just opened on Canada Day this year, Steller’s Bay is a new exhibit that spotlights majestic and mysterious creatures — Steller sea lions. Transported to a fishing village on Canada’s west coast, visitors delight as they experience sea lions basking brilliantly in the sun and hear them roaring in spectacular chorus. Below the surface stands huge underwater viewing windows where visitors will be immersed in a sea lion’s world, getting up close as the dynamic animals glide through the water with incredible power and agility.
The spectacular new exhibit prominently features an active research station, bringing behind-the-scenes research to the forefront and allowing visitors to deep dive into the critical role these animals play in conserving their counterparts in the wild.
Other Activities
In addition to the ever-changing scenery, there’s lots of fin-tastic things to see and do:
Touch a stingray as they glide through the water in the Discover Rays touch pool.
See birds of a feather as African penguins waddle about inside the Aquarium.
Discover the secret lives of sharks as things heat up in the Tropic Zone.
Experience hands-on learning with marine invertebrates like sea stars, sea anemones, and more in the Wet Lab and Discover Rays. Food, cocktails, wine, and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets are only available online. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early as they often sell out!
Vancouver Aquarium, an Ocean Wise initiative, is one of the world’s leading accredited aquariums, dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life.
Enter to Win
I have a pair of tickets to give away to After Hours, here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
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I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly.
