uShaka Marine World sits at the southern end of the Golden Mile and is the attraction most families head for first. Its centrepiece is Sea World, an aquarium built around the idea of a sunken ship, with Indian Ocean species, shark tanks you can eat beside and daily shows featuring dolphins, seals and penguins. Wet n Wild is the water park in the same complex, with slides and a lazy river, and uShaka Kids World is a smaller play area for young children. Dangerous Creatures is a separate, cheaper entry for reptiles and other animals people are curious about. Between the parks runs the Village Walk, an open promenade of shops, restaurants and a beach frontage that costs nothing to enter, which makes it an easy place to start even if you decide not to buy a full ticket. The park keeps shorter hours and some attractions closed outside peak season, so it pays to check which parts are running on your day.
What is open and when
The park's rates and times page shows Sea World open daily from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon, and Dangerous Creatures open daily from ten until four. Wet n Wild runs a reduced off-peak schedule, opening Wednesday to Sunday from ten until five and staying closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Kids World following the same pattern. Peak season, which covers public holidays and KwaZulu-Natal school holidays, has different hours, so confirm before you travel in December or January.
Tickets and prices
The park lists separate entries for Sea World, Wet n Wild, the aquarium and Dangerous Creatures, along with combination tickets. The rates page and its summary text disagree on prices, and the page says prices can change without notice, so treat any figure you see as provisional and confirm at the gate. The park says tickets are sold at its ticketing office, and a guided outing of about three hours that takes in the dolphin, seal and penguin show, with hotel pick-up and drop-off, is also sold separately; check whether park entry is part of what you buy before you book.
Getting there and making the most of it: uShaka is on the beachfront near the Point, a short ride from the central hotels. Bicycles can be hired behind the complex according to South African Tourism's beachfront guide. Go early for the shows and the quietest aquarium, wear swimwear under your clothes for Wet n Wild, and bring sun cream, since the beachfront is hot and exposed. The Chimp and Zee zip line has a minimum age of six and a minimum height of 1.2 metres.
What to expect
The experience
A walk-through aquarium and show park with a separate water park, a free open-air village of shops and restaurants and optional extras such as a zip line.
Best time
Arrive when Sea World opens at nine to see the animals and shows before the crowds, and save the water park for the warmest part of the day.
How long
Allow three hours for Sea World and the shows, or most of a day if you add Wet n Wild.
Tips
Check which parts of the park are open on your day, bring swimwear and sun cream, expect shorter off-peak hours, and confirm current prices before you set out.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children, first-time visitors and anyone who wants an easy, shaded half day on the beachfront.
- Families
- Kids World and the water park suit younger children, though off-peak days close both on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Couples
- Walk the free Village Walk at sunset and have dinner overlooking the sea without buying a park ticket.
- Pair with
- The Point Waterfront canal cruise, which departs from a shop inside the complex, and the Golden Mile promenade.
- Time needed
- Half a day, or a full day with the water park.
Good questions
Is Wet n Wild open every day?+
Not off-peak. The park's page shows it open Wednesday to Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays outside peak season, with different hours during public and school holidays.
Can I visit uShaka without buying a ticket?+
Yes, the Village Walk of shops, restaurants and beach frontage is free to enter. Sea World, Wet n Wild and Dangerous Creatures each need their own ticket.
Is everything in the park open every day?+
Not always. Sea World and Dangerous Creatures open daily, while Wet n Wild and Kids World run a reduced schedule outside peak season. Check the park's rates and times page for the day you plan to visit.
How much does it cost?+
Sea World and Wet n Wild are priced as separate tickets, with lower rates for children and seniors. Prices are shown differently on different parts of the park's page and can change, so confirm the current rate before you go.
Is it suitable for young children?+
Yes, children under three are shown as free, and Kids World has a sprinkler island and play areas. The zip line needs a minimum age of six and a height of 1.2 metres.
