We ended our tour at uShaka Marine World, the most loved marine theme park in South Africa. It incorporates fresh and sea water, natural materials, the re-creation of awreck of a 1940’s cargo ship, with the 5th largest aquarium in the world by volume of water, coupled with indigenous African imagery, lush vegetation and maritime images of the Port of Durban, as well a water slides amusement park.
The park is tatesfully themed with a focus on family entertainment in terms of fun, excitement, friendliness, imagery, activities, education and unique experiences, grouped into five distinct areas.
The retail food and beverage outlets are close to the main entrance to uShaka and at a height of about 10 metres above sea level, overlook much of the park and the Indian Ocean beyond. From the mysteries of the ocean floor to the wonders above, you’ll find many of the treasurees you’re looking for in over 11 250m2 of retail speciality stores.
Many of uShaka’s unique experiences are to be found in and around Sea World. The Sea and Dolphin World comprise a salt water aquarium with indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits, a 1200- seater dolphin stadium where we were entertained by the world-famous Gambit and friends, the seal stadium and penguin rookery.
In addition, Sea World offers edutainment tours behind the scenes and special interactive activities such as snorkelling through reefs and grottos and scuba dives.
Snorkel Lagoon: Catch a feed presentation for the rock lobsters, eel and octopus before heading into the water and snorkelling into a pool designed as a rocky lagoon.
Float gently over the lagoon filled with a huge variety of marine life and maritime effects such as a 16th century ship’s canon before entering the bowels of a shipwrecked cargo vessel and facing up to the predators of the deep through glass.
Offshore Rocky Reefs Exhibit: Offering a diving experience, the Rocky Reef’s tank will have you interacting with fish such as Slinger and Englishman and other rare and magnificent reef fish found off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
The Open Ocean: Gazing through an enormous window 8m long by 3m high you’ll feel as though you are actually standing underwater with the many fish associated with the open ocean such as tuna, pompano, dorado and rays.
Dangers of the Deep: Sharks, sea snakes, devil fire fish and stone fish occupy this area where from the surface you might even be able to touch a shark as it swims past a purpose-built balcony at feeding time.
Coral Gardens: A coral reef, one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth which has been recreated for you within Sea World.
The Deep Zone: Is a window into the lives of some of the weirdest and most spectacular animals inhabiting hundreds of metres below the surface of the ocean, often in total darkness.
Seals: Be astounded by what these agile and intelligent creatures can do as they run through a program designed for your entertainment.
Penguins: The African penguin is an endangered species and the breeding colony will provide you with a special opportunity to see these rare birds.
The beloved dolphins, including the world-famous Gambit, will enthral you with their grace and strength in their new and enormous 1200-seater stadium. Specially designed viewing windows will enable you to see the animals both above and below the water, where their remarkable speed and power can be appreciated fully.
Special focus sponsors
