Dangerous Lagoon

Overview

The Dangerous Lagoon is a captivating and immersive exhibit located within Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, nestled in the vibrant heart of Toronto, Canada, just southeast of the iconic CN Tower. This signature attraction invites visitors on an extraordinary underwater journey through North America's longest underwater viewing tunnel. Guests are transported along a 97-meter (approximately football-field length) moving walkway, providing a seamless and awe-inspiring perspective of the marine life gliding above and around them.

Housing an immense volume of 2.84 million litres of water, the Dangerous Lagoon is home to a diverse array of marine species, including various sharks like sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and nurse sharks, as well as majestic roughtail stingrays, longcomb sawfish, and graceful green sea turtles. The tank's substantial size contributes to over half of the aquarium's total water capacity, creating a truly expansive habitat for its inhabitants. This exhibit offers a unique blend of wonder and excitement, making it a highlight for any visitor to the aquarium.

History & Cultural Background

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, and by extension its integral Dangerous Lagoon, officially opened its doors to the public on October 16, 2013. The journey to its establishment in Toronto was a dynamic one; initial plans in 2004 envisioned an aquarium in Niagara Falls, Ontario. However, these plans ultimately shifted, leading to the selection of downtown Toronto as the prime location.

Construction commenced in August 2011, culminating in a state-of-the-art facility with an approximate cost of CA$130 million. This significant project was a collaborative effort, involving contributions from the federal, provincial (Ontario), and municipal (Toronto) levels of government. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is one of three world-class aquariums operated by Ripley Entertainment in North America, showcasing their commitment to marine education and conservation. The architectural design of the aquarium itself is notable, with the main entrance roof crafted to create the illusion of the Earth's crust peeling away, revealing the aquatic world within.

What Makes It Special

The Dangerous Lagoon stands out as a truly special attraction due to its unparalleled immersive qualities. It boasts North America's longest underwater viewing tunnel, equipped with a slow-moving conveyor belt that allows visitors to glide effortlessly through the marine environment. This unique feature creates the sensation of 'swimming' alongside the inhabitants, with sharks and rays often passing directly overhead, offering a 360-degree perspective of these magnificent creatures.

Beyond its immersive design, the Dangerous Lagoon contributes significantly to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada's reputation for having one of the largest shark collections in North America. Visitors have the rare opportunity to observe various shark species, sawfish, and sea turtles in a naturalistic setting. For those seeking an even more profound experience, the aquarium offers a unique SCUBA diving program within the Dangerous Lagoon, allowing certified divers to enter the tank and come face-to-face with sharks and other marine life under guided supervision.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

• Architectural Ingenuity: The aquarium building itself was designed with special shielding to ensure that its electrical systems do not disturb the sensitive marine life, particularly the sharks.
• Overhead Companions: Visitors often notice the impressive sawfish, which are known to rest peacefully on the tunnel's roof, offering an unusual and memorable view from below.
• Buoyancy Control: Sand tiger sharks, prominent residents of the Dangerous Lagoon, possess a fascinating ability to gulp air from the surface and store it in their stomachs to maintain neutral buoyancy, allowing them to hover motionless in the water while awaiting prey.
• Diver Interaction: Aquarium divers regularly enter the Dangerous Lagoon for cleaning and animal care. To gently guide curious sharks or other large animals during their work, divers use PVC pipes, ensuring both their safety and the animals' well-being.
• Man-Made Ecosystem: Many of the intricate coral structures and rockwork within the Dangerous Lagoon are man-made, crafted from non-toxic materials like paint, rubber, and cement, meticulously designed to replicate natural habitats.
• Target Training: The larger animals, such as sharks and sawfish, are target-trained, meaning they learn to associate specific targets with feeding times, a crucial part of their enrichment and care routine.

Visitor Perspective

Visitors consistently describe the Dangerous Lagoon as a 'jaws-dropping' and unforgettable experience. The slow-moving walkway is particularly appreciated, providing a relaxed pace to absorb the vastness of the exhibit and observe the intricate behaviors of the marine animals without feeling rushed. There are also stationary viewing areas where guests can step off the walkway to spend more time observing specific creatures or taking photographs.

While the aquarium, especially popular areas like the Dangerous Lagoon, can be crowded during peak hours and holidays, planning a visit during weekday mornings or off-peak seasons is often recommended for a more serene experience. The exhibit is not just about entertainment; it serves as a powerful educational tool, fostering appreciation for marine ecosystems and promoting conservation efforts. The overall mission of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, including the Dangerous Lagoon, is to spark curiosity, inspire action, and provide world-class experiences that contribute to the conservation and research of our natural world.