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The magic of uShaka Marine World

At the end of Golden Mile in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, lies a world of sun, surf, entertainment and wild water rides. Spanning more than 16 hectares of prime beachfront, uShaka Marine World is Africa's largest marine theme park and home to the fifth-largest aquarium in the world. It has 32 tanks filled with 17 500 cubic meters of water.

uShaka Marine World 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: wild water rides, a huge aquarium, dolphin displays, excellent cuisine at the restaurants, shopping in uShaka Village Walk retail village – or simply 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 Municipality as a major node of development in the city – one of South Africa's premier tourism destinations.

• Video: uShaka Marine World, Durban
• uShaka Marine World: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za
• eThekwini Municipality: www.durban.gov.za

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.

uShaka Sea World builds on the work of the South African Association for Marine and Biological Research and the facilities of the older and legendary Durban Sea World. While focused on education, it offers visitors fun interactive experiences.

Sea World includes the marine research facilities of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), giving uShaka an important scientific and environmental function.

• uShaka Sea World: www.seaworld.org.za
• Oceanographic Research Institutewww.ori.org.za

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 available.

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.

SAinfo reporter

Reviewed: October 2013