uShaka Marine World sits on the beachfront at the Point end of Durban's Golden Mile. Sea World is the centrepiece: an aquarium built around five shipwrecks, entered through the side of a giant ship, with sharks, rays and morays in the tanks. Around it are the Wet 'n Wild water park, uShaka Beach, Kids World, a reptile centre and the Village Walk with its shops and restaurants. Dolphin and seal shows run daily, and some tables look onto the tanks. Plan a full day for the whole park, or a few hours if you only want the aquarium.
Sea World and the shipwreck aquarium
Sea World is the largest part of the park and the reason many people come. You enter through the side of a giant ship and walk down several levels into a set of five fake but convincing shipwrecks, from a passenger liner to a steamship. The aquarium holds 32 tanks and six galleries, each showing a different habitat of the Western Indian Ocean.
The animals include ragged-tooth, spinner and hammerhead sharks, local catsharks, eagle rays, honeycomb and geometric morays, and large fish such as giant groupers, potato bass, kingfish and cobia. Underwater tunnels put you right beside them. At mealtimes, divers in the tanks hand-feed many of the animals. A restored Southern Right whale skeleton is also on display.
Sea World also has a dolphin stadium with 1,200 seats, a seal stadium and a penguin rookery. Daily dolphin and seal shows are a fixed part of most visits, and the penguin presentations are a shorter stop between them.
Dangerous Creatures and the rest of the park
The Dangerous Creatures exhibit belongs to Sea World but sits apart from the main aquarium. It houses reptiles, arachnids and amphibians, including rare snakes, some of them venomous, from the region and from elsewhere. Chimp & Zee is a rope adventure walk for those who want something more active.
Wet 'n Wild is the water park. It has pools, canals, super tubes, a lazy river and fast slides, including the highest water slide in Africa. The rides range from heart-pounding to gentle, so mixed groups can split up and meet again. Kids World and uShaka Beach complete the grounds. The park opened on 30 April 2004 and covers about 16 hectares (40 acres) of beachfront.
Close encounters and dives
Several paid activities put you in the water. The Xpanda Shark Dive takes place in the aquarium, certified scuba divers can dive among the fish and rays, and Ocean Walker lets you walk the floor of the Open Ocean exhibit while sea life swims around you. There are also a snorkel lagoon, ray feeds and dolphin and seal encounters. Prices depend on the activity and the section of the park, so check before you go.
Animal welfare groups have said that close-contact interactions with dolphins, seals and rays can stress the animals. If this matters to you, the aquarium, the shows and the exhibits can be enjoyed without them.
Eating at the Village Walk and in Sea World
The Village Walk is an open-air stretch of shops, cafes and restaurants, and it carries on into the evening. Some restaurants sit right beside the aquarium, so you can watch sea life while you eat. The Upper Deck restaurant is set aboard the Phantom Ship. Another restaurant next to the aquarium welcomes children under 12 at lunch.
Inside the paid areas, food and drink are pricier than outside. Many families eat at one of the restaurants just outside the gates and go back in.
Getting around and planning the day
The park is at the southern end of the Golden Mile. The seafront promenade runs from here to Moses Mabhida Stadium, and South Beach, a family beach with smaller surf, is nearby. The Ricksha tourist bus also stops at uShaka. Free and paid parking lots are available, and the entrance, seating, restrooms and parking are wheelchair accessible.
The layout takes a lot of walking, and there are few shortcuts to the exit, so pace the day. Seating areas near the aquarium exhibits give you somewhere to rest. If you plan to buy the photo package from the encounters, bring cash or a card, since one visitor paid R350 for digital and printed copies.
FAQ
How much does uShaka Marine World cost?
Sea World entry has been listed at R183 for children and seniors and R227 for adults, and Wet 'n Wild costs the same. Prices differ by section and activity, so check the website before you go.
How long do you need at uShaka Marine World?
The aquarium alone takes a few hours. To see Sea World, Wet 'n Wild, the shows and the Village Walk, give yourself a full day.
Is uShaka Marine World good for children?
Yes. The shows, the aquarium tunnels, the water slides and Kids World are all aimed at families. A restaurant beside the aquarium also welcomes children under 12 at lunch.
Can you dive with sharks at uShaka?
Yes. The Xpanda Shark Dive takes place in the aquarium, and certified scuba divers can also dive there. Both are paid activities.
Is uShaka Marine World wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, seating, restrooms and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. Expect a lot of walking inside.
Where is uShaka Marine World?
It is at 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, at the southern end of the Golden Mile.
