The aquarium has 3 dolphins and they have two smaller pools that connect to the main tank that is shown in this photo. For many years there were orcas here but the aquarium has not exhibited them for at least a decade. I find that the exhibit is a bit on the small side, but the good news is that that Vancouver Aquarium is undergoing a $25 million expansion and the outdoor exhibits will be expanded in the next few years.
The aquarium kept orcas from the late 1960's (with a killer whale pool built in 1971) until 2001, when the female Bjossa was transferred to SeaWorld. The Vancouver Aquarium board decided in 1992 that "the practice of collecting killer whales from wild stocks will be discontinued" and in 2001 when Bjossa left the Wild Coast Exhibit (dolphins, seals, sea lions) was developed from the 3 orca pools. In 2001 to purchase an orca would have cost the aquarium at least $1 million, the exhibit wasn't large enough for a pod, and public support was adamantly against any more killer whales in captivity.
There are daily shows called "Caring for Dolphins" that are basically training sessions that are viewed by the public. There are zero seats (unlike the old days when the aquarium used to have orcas) and instead people lean over the edge of the exhibit and listen to a trainer as the dolphins show a few behaviours. The whole thing is around 10-15 minutes long and not anything resembling a SeaWorld style show whatsoever.
