Océanie

Océanie is the marine pavilion at Zoo de Granby, the highly regarded zoo located about 90 minutes east of Montreal in the Eastern Townships. The pavilion is dedicated to marine mammals — California sea lions, harbor seals, and beluga whales — and it is consistently one of the most popular sections of the zoo for families visiting on weekends.

The sea lion presentations are the centerpiece. These scheduled shows last around 20 minutes and combine trained behaviors with genuine education about sea lion biology, feeding habits, and ocean conservation. For kids aged 3-12, the combination of live animals performing and a knowledgeable zookeeper explaining what is happening creates a high-engagement experience that holds attention much better than static exhibits.

The beluga habitat is the pavilion's most impressive feature. Zoo de Granby is one of only a handful of facilities in Canada that houses beluga whales, and the underwater viewing tunnel that runs beneath the tank gives visitors a perspective that is genuinely stunning — white belugas gliding silently overhead while kids press their faces against the glass. It is one of those moments that families tend to remember long after the visit.

Océanie is accessible only with full Zoo de Granby admission, and the zoo is currently open weekends only (Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm or 5pm depending on the season). A full zoo day easily runs 4-6 hours including Océanie, the Asia continent zone, the African section, and the rest of the grounds. Buy tickets online in advance to save a few dollars and guarantee entry on busy summer weekends.