South Africa Guide
KwaZulu-Natal
uShaka Marine World
Opening time: Daily 9am–5pm
Price: R92
Address: Addington Beach
The only really worthwhile attraction along the beachfront is uShaka Marine World. This impressive water adventure wonderland is a tropical African theme park, with palm trees, fake rock formations and thatched bomas. The most appealing section is uShaka Sea World (daily 9am–5pm; R92), designed in and around a superb mock-up of a wrecked 1920s cargo ship. The main entrance leads you down to the darkened hull with its broken wood, battered engine room, ropes and sloping floors. The walls of the hull serve as windows into the "ocean" (actually a series of large tanks) where you can see turtles, pipe fish, octopus, sharks and a host of other marine life. The complex also includes a dolphin stadium and a seal pool, where you'll see daily shows (two or three a day depending on when you visit) featuring these creatures, as well as uShaka Wet ‘n Wild, a series of pools and water slides you'll have to pay an extra R70 to use. The uShaka Village Walk development and uShaka Beach (the southern section of Addington beach) are open from 9am until late. The Village Walk has plenty of restaurants, making it a great (and safe) night-time venue.