At the end of Golden Mile in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal city of Durban is a new world of sun, surf, entertainment and wild water rides. uShaka Marine World, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa's largest marine theme park and home to the fifth-largest aquarium in the world.
uShaka incorporates fresh and sea water, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920s shipwreck, all drawn together by indigenous African imagery, lush vegetation and maritime images of the Port of Durban.
And there's lots to do, from taking the wild water rides, visiting the huge aquarium, watching dolphin displays, sampling excellent cuisine at the restaurants, shopping in uShaka Village Walk retail village, fun-filled water slides in Wet 'n Wild - or simply a lazy day sunbathing on uShaka Beach.
uShaka Marine World was developed to create a world-class entertainment and tourism centre for Durban. It was initiated by the eThekwini Unicity Municipality as a major node of development in the city - one of South Africa's premier tourism destinations.
The shipwreck dominates the design, creating a major Durban landmark. The park makes wonderful use of open space and the interaction between land, sea and sky. It is laid out in an open plan, so visitors seldom lose sight of sea or sky and are always able to enjoy Durban's subtropical climate.
Sea World
Lying in the centre of uShaka, Sea World has a saltwater aquarium with indoor and outdoor exhibits, the cargo shipwreck, seal stadium and penguin rookery. There's also a 1 200-seat stadium for Sea World's dolphin acrobats, with specially designed windows providing a view of the animals both above and below the water.
Building on the work of the South African Association for Marine and Biological Research and the facilities of the older and legendary Durban Sea World, uShaka Sea World brings the interpretation and display of marine animals to a new level. While focused on education, it offers visitors fun interactive experiences.
Sea World includes the marine research facilities of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), which was previously accommodated in the old Durban Sea World premises, giving uShaka an important scientific and environmental function.
Many of uShaka's unique experiences are to be found in and around Sea World. Try these:
Snorkel lagoon - Float gently over the lagoon filled with a huge variety of marine life and maritime effects such as a 16th century ship's cannon before entering the bowels of a shipwrecked cargo vessel and facing up to the predators of the deep through glass so clear you'll imagine the nibbles on your toes long after leaving the water.
Aerial view of uShaka Marine World (Image: uShaka Marine World)
Offshore Rocky Reefs exhibit - In the Rocky Reef's tank you can dive with the rare and magnificent reef fish found off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Rocky touch pool - Touch a starfish, feel the skin of a sea cucumber and more with the help of a specially trained guide.
The Open Ocean - Gazing through an enormous eight-by-three-metre window, you'll feel you're actually 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 may even be able to touch a shark as it swims past the balcony at feeding time.
Coral Gardens - Bright yellows and reds, oranges and blues ... the richest and most diverse ecosystems on earth have been recreated within Sea World.
The Deep Zone - This is a window into the lives of some of the weirdest and most spectacular animals inhabiting a world hundreds of metres below the surface of the ocean, often in total darkness.
Dolphin acrobatics at uShaka (Image: uShaka Marine World)
uShaka Beach
Durban's beaches are world-famous, offering the best of sand and surf. Other than just lazing in the sun, at uShaka Beach you can also join in windsurfing, beach volleyball, beach rugby, surfing, jet skiing, kite flying, paddle boat rides, dolphin sightings and boat charters, and national and international beach sports events. There are also daily surfing lessons run by Clayton Surfboards.
Wet 'n Wild
This freshwater entertainment facility offers thrilling water rides, swimming pools and more. Rides
include kamikaze speed slides, Stuka freefall slides, a five-lane racer, supertube open rides, children's rides, sunbathing areas on sand, grass or decking, and a 750-metre lazy river ride around the centre of uShaka Marine World, part of it flowing through the uShaka shipwreck.
Wet 'n wild rides (Image: uShaka Marine World)
Other rides include:
Mini super tube - Designed for kids up to six years old, but wide enough for mum or dad to share the twists and bends, the mini-super tube will help build confidence for the bigger, faster slides in the park.
Play area - The water cannons and water mushrooms will keep youngsters busy for hours.
Open-body ride - Sometimes referred to as the washing machine, this is a ride for all ages. The high water volume accelerates you through the bends at four to five metres per second, exiting into a safe pool at the bottom.
Tunnel ride - A rollercoaster enclosed ride, not for the claustrophobic, sending you speeding round curves at a gut-wrenching four metres per second - in the dark.
Village Walk
Retail and food and beverage outlets lie close to the main entrance to uShaka, encircling the southwest area of the park. From the mysteries of the ocean floor to the wonders above, you'll find many of the treasures you're looking for in over 11 250 square metres of retail speciality stores.
These include bars, kiosks and shops selling clothing, outdoor gear and equipment, arts and crafts and other indigenous and tourist-focused goods and services.
Then there are the great restaurants, including the remarkable Cargo Hold, built in the shipwreck with a wonderful view of uShaka and the ocean beyond. Also in the shipwreck is the amazing Shark Restaurant, which has a window into a shark tank.
uShaka Village Walk is market-like, lively and characteristically Durban. The structures give the impression of a village, with articulated shop frontages and interdependent roofs, yet interlinked within.
Wide street scenes with generous roof overhangs provide a spacious environment for visitors to amble and browse at leisure. As in a real village the sizes of the buildings vary, adding interest and diversity.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
