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Durban's beachfront marine park, from aquarium to ocean pier
uShaka Marine World, Durban: History & Culture
uShaka Marine World is a marine-themed park on Durban’s Golden Mile beachfront, in the Point precinct at the southern end. It covers about 16 hectares and combines an aquarium, a water park, a rope adventure course, a beach and an ocean pier. Together they make it the anchor attraction for a Durban beachfront day.
The park is made up of several separate attractions. Most visitors split their time between the aquarium and the water park, then add beach time, a rope course or a meal.
Sea World is the aquarium at the centre of the park. Shark and snorkel experiences are part of what is on offer, including snorkelling, diving and feeding. Check the official uShaka website for which experiences are running and what they require before you plan around one.
The dolphin show is one of the park’s headline attractions. Confirm show times on the day, because they were not verified for this page.
Wet ‘n Wild is the park’s water park. It works well as the second half of a day that starts at the aquarium.
Dangerous Creatures houses the park’s reptile exhibits.
Chimp and Zee is a rope adventure park. Wikipedia states that it has Africa’s longest continuous belay system, which suits visitors who want something more active than walking past the tanks.
The Snorkel Lagoon is a dedicated snorkelling area inside the park, and a good place to start if you want to try snorkelling.
The park sits on the beachfront, so uShaka Beach and the ocean pier are part of the visit. They give you an outdoor break between the indoor attractions.
Village Walk is a cluster of shops, restaurants and cafes in an African village theme, with views over the Indian Ocean. It is the park’s main place to eat and browse. We have not verified individual restaurants, so look at the current line-up when you arrive.
uShaka Marine World opened on 30 April 2004. The US firm Creative Kingdom Inc. designed it. In 2005 it won the Themed Entertainment Association award for outstanding achievement in thematic creative design.
The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality owns and funds the park. That makes it part of Durban’s public investment in its beachfront, as well as a visitor attraction.
The park sits at the Point end of the Golden Mile. That makes it a natural starting point for a beachfront day. Treat the aquarium and water park as the main event, then use the beach, pier and Village Walk to fill the rest of the day.
Getting there, parking and airport transfer details have not been verified for this page. Check current directions before you travel. Durban is in KwaZulu-Natal, so combine uShaka with other places in the province when you plan a longer stay.
It suits visitors who want one place with several kinds of day out: marine life, water rides, an adventure course and a beach. It is especially useful for families, and for anyone who wants to give a Durban beachfront day a clear plan and an anchor. If you only have a few hours, choose between the aquarium and the water park rather than trying to do everything.
Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sea World aquarium, Dolphin show, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Dangerous Creatures, Chimp and Zee rope adventure park, Snorkel Lagoon, uShaka Beach and ocean pier, uShaka Village Walk
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