Ushaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World is a 16-hectare (40-acre) theme park which was opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It comprises 5 sections: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk and, uShaka Kids World. It is located on the strip of land between the beachfront and the harbour. It was the first phase in the redevelopment of the Durban Point.

uShaka Sea World the fifth largest aquarium in the world, with 32 tanks totalling 17,500 cubic meters of water. The underground aquarium is designed around five shipwrecks, with its entrance through the above ground "Phantom Ship", which contains several restaurants including the "Cargo Hold," with a wall sized shark aquarium visible from most of the dining areas, and the "Upper Deck," with views of the open sea exhibits that surround the "ship". The fantastic dolphin stadium can seat 1,200 visitors, and the seal stadium can seat about 450.

The aquarium is home to shark species such as ragged-tooth sharks, spinner sharks, hammerhead sharks, and local catsharks, large rays including eagle rays, local moray species including honeycomb morays and geometric morays, local gamefish, and large fish species including giant groupers, potato bass, kingfish, and cobia. uShaka also housed a Manta ray for a short period of time before it was moved to the Georgia Aquarium in the United States.

In addition to the dolphin and seal shows, there is penguin, shark and ray feeding at various times during the day, the exact times are published by the park and are readily available to visitors.

Visitors can take part in an animal encounter. It is possible to snorkel in the lagoon with approximately 1500 fish. Underwater adventures including shark cage diving and walking on the floor of the aquarium with an ocean diver are also available.

Calypso, the local dive centre at Ushaka, also runs discover scuba and bubble maker experiences in the snorkel lagoon. 'Bubble maker' is for children aged 8-under 10. A scuba diving course is available to people over 10 years old. Certified divers can also dive in the open ocean lagoon with pelagic fish and rays.

The Dangerous Creatures exhibit includes various reptiles, amphibians and arachnids, some of which are venomous in their newly set-up Dangerous Creatures section, which is apart from the main aquarium. This sub-section contains both local and exotic animals, from rock pythons to Burmese pythons, Nile crocodiles, black mambas, tarantulas, scorpions, and gila monsters.

uShaka Wet'n Wild

A fun fresh water world of slides and pools, uShaka’s Wet ‘n Wild caters for the adrenaline junkie and those less adventurous!

uShaka Wet'n Wild is a water park which contains everything from a lazy river ride that goes through the ship wreck and past some tanks, to high speed slides, and boasts the highest water slide in the southern hemisphere and includes a large grass area for relaxing, and its own restaurants.

uShaka Kids World

Alongside the ever popular Sea World, uShaka Kids World is a haven for kids from the ages of 2yrs to 12yrs, designed with jam packed activities and interactive areas.

Boast Africa's biggest jungle gym, to Crabby Beach (giant sandpit) to Polly's Paint Pen (painting paradise) and for our movie stars, Cast-Aways (show time stage area) it's fun from sun-up to sun-down.

Dangerous Creatures

Dangerous Creatures is an adventure reptile enthusiasts and adrenalin junkies won't want to miss! Find it in the Village Walk at uShaka Marine World.

The “creeps” continue with dart frogs, tarantulas, Gila monster lizards, which never let go once they bite down, false water cobra (of which there is only one in the country), goliath bull frogs, tree vipers and Taipan snakes. The Argentinean equivalent of the Nile leguaan – a Tegu – is also on display, the only one of its kind in the country.

Address: 1, King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, 4001

Phone: 031 328 8000

Websites: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

Total volume of tanks: 17,500 cubic metres (4,600,000 US gal)

Did you know: Durban is famous for its beaches and that's exactly what you'll find at uShaka Marine world.