Durban is 2 300 square kilometres in extent and abuts the warm Indian Ocean offering 98 kilometres of idyllic coastline, perfect for beach adventures. Adding to the natural attraction of the beaches of Durban is the exciting new uShaka Marine World – one of the ten largest marine parks in the world, offering waves of fun and adventure!

The new uShaka Marine World is five times larger than the existing aquarium, and combines top class marine biological research with adventure experiences for fun-seekers at a level not available anywhere else in Africa – Dr Mike Sutcliffe, Durban City Manager

If you were to ask anyone what makes Durban a popular holiday destination they will tell you about a balmy sub-tropical climate, sun-drenched beaches and lazy afternoons spent paddling in the warm Indian Ocean. They will tell you of ice cream and suntan lotion, beach towels and lifeguards, of swimming and wave riding, of volleyball and surfing, of happy holidays and beach adventures.

The beachfront has always been one of Durban’s top tourist attractions, and the opening of the uShaka Marine World in April this year is set to put Durban firmly on the ‘must do’ tourist list of places to visit.

Now there will be more to tell! The southern end of Durban’s ‘Golden Mile’ has been magically transformed into a dream-scaped water adventure wonderland. Stories will include the thrill and adrenalin drop of braving the kamikaze and stuka water slides, the fascination of being able to watch – and interact – with thousands of marine animals, the pleasure of watching dolphins swim, and seals perform. The excitement of exploring the 1920s steamer shipwreck or wandering through the shops looking for that perfect holiday memento to treasure…

Africa’s largest marine park has come into existence as a result of a vision to create a world-class entertainment and tourism destination for Durban and all of South Africa. The project initiator and main underwriter is Durban’s eThekwini Unicity Municipality with funding from Development Bank SA and Citibank.

The eThekwini Unicity Municipality established a company – Durban Marine Theme Park – to facilitate the construction of the park, with the Council, Development Bank SA, Citibank and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) serving on the Board. They expect that development of a marine theme park of international standards will not only boost the Durban economy through increased tourism, but serve as a catalyst for further development and investment in Durban’s beachfront and harbour areas.

uShaka Island Management (Pty) Ltd (UISM) – a joint venture company comprising the Durban-based Three Cities Hospitality Group, South African empowerment company iSundu Leisure (Pty) Ltd, and a US-based consultant to the leisure and tourism industry, ProFun Group Inc. – has been awarded a 10-year contract to manage the uShaka Marine World.

“The opening of uShaka Marine World will be of tremendous benefit to the tourism industry in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. It adds a unique entertainment element to Durban, and we have no doubt that it will become one of the regions key attractions,” said Alan Vels, USIM director and Managing Director of Three Cities Hotel Group. “It will give a real cutting edge in terms of attracting business to the Durban Metro.”

Since construction on the 17-hectare marine theme park began in August 2002, more than 50 independent contractors have been employed on the development site – including project management specialists; building and landscape architects; civil, structural, electrical, hydraulic, geotechnical and aquatic engineers; land and quantity surveyors; environmental control officers; retail letting agents; insurance brokers; empowerment funding agencies; and many more sub-contractors for earthworks, piling, plumbing, slides, fire safety and photography. This effectively created 18 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities during the construction phase of the uShaka Marine World.

The informal gravel parking at the southern end of Addington Beach has been altered beyond recognition with the construction of the R735-million uShaka Marine World (this price tag excludes the cost of the land). A sub-tropical beach and water paradise has been created out of the barren parking lot.

Picture standing on a paved promenade, palm trees waving a friendly hello, as the smell of tasty food mingles with the sea breeze and the excited cries of children pierce the air, while you watch the buzz of activity below. You gaze in amazement at the rock pools, a shipwrecked steamer – and you wonder at the scope of logistical planning required to co-ordinate and construct a project of this magnitude.

You decide to stroll through the park enjoying the lush vegetation and indigenous African theme to the buildings and surrounds – from the thatched roofs of the retail outlets to the jazzy décor on the walls. The central feature of the shipwreck catches your attention and you enter a new world. The rusted pipes and decking are about as fascinating as the pretty fish in the themed aquarium. You can’t help but be in awe at the engineering design and construction – and the fine attention to detail.

For a moment you wonder if you’ve been transported into Alice’s Wonderland… suddenly things are not as they seem - and you realise that what should be the floor is the ceiling, that the signs are upside down… and that this area of the shipwreck is all topsy turvy…The décor is certainly as fascinating as the marine life – until you find yourself nose-to-nose with a shark; and somewhat thankful that this is only an aquarium after all.

Ushaka Marine World is comprised of four main areas:

uShaka Sea World (incorporating Dolphin World) is Africa’s biggest aquarium with 17 500 cubic metres of water, and one of the 10 largest aquariums in the world. It boasts the largest collection of sharks in the southern hemisphere and half a kilometre of themed viewing tanks, taking you past seven massive aquarium tanks and 25 smaller ones. There is an opportunity for a unique dive tank experience and to interact with the sea creatures in the snorkel pool and the rocky shore. The 1 200-seater dolphin stadium is the largest dolphinarium in Africa and has the largest dolphins to be found anywhere in the world. There is also a Seal Stadium and a Penguin Rookery, which brings you closer to these enchanting animals.

uShaka Wet ‘n Wild is a fresh water entertainment facility that caters for the adrenalin junkies - and those who are slightly less adventurous. The fearless can head down the ‘Kamikaze’ speed slides and the ‘Stuka’ feefall slides (just not straight after lunch, please) and hold friendly races down the five-lane racer. For a tamer wild experience, patrons can try the open super tube rides or go on a 450 metre adventure ride around the centre (and through the hole in the shipwreck) of uShaka Marine World. There are also adults and kiddies pools and numerous sunbathing areas on sand, grass and decking for a more relaxed take on the excitement.

uShaka Beach in front of the uShaka Marine World has been set aside for perfect non-stop all-year-round action. Activities on uShaka beach include windsurfing, kayaking, beach volleyball, beach rugby, surfing, jet skiing, kite surfing, paddle boat rides and any new flavour of the yuppie set – as well as national and international beach sport events.

uShaka Village Walk offers a shopping and culinary adventure with dozens of restaurants with a tantalising variety of tastes (and great sea views) and a large number of retail outlets focusing on outdoor clothing, sporting equipment, arts, crafts and other fun items.

Mike Lambert, CEO of uShaka Island Management, added: "As the managing company of uShaka Marine World we want to make sure that every visitor takes home a phenomenal experience, and a memory to share with his friends and family. We will achieve this by ensuring that all our staff are effectively trained to deliver outstanding service to guests no matter where they are working. There is so much on offer within the theme park - excellent service will enhance those experiences."  

In an effort to make uShaka Marine World affordable for everyone, access to the uShaka Village Walk and the uShaka Beach is free – and the open plan of the park allows a clear view of the other amenities and activities. An entrance fee will be levied for the uShaka Wet ‘n Wild and the uShaka Sea World.

The uShaka Marine World expects to receive some 1.4 million paying visitors in its first year of operation, and an additional 2.5 million visitors to the free access areas. The park expects a crowd of about 12 000 visitors on any one good business day, but has the capacity to handle 24 000 visitors.

“The development of the uShaka Marine World is part of the eThekwini Municipality’s plan to accelerate growth, remain competitive and develop a broader tourist base,” said Durban City Manager, Dr Mike Sutcliffe.

“The new uShaka Marine World is five times larger than the existing aquarium, and combines top class marine biological research with adventure experiences for fun-seekers at a level not available anywhere else in Africa.” But it is also about urban regeneration, explained Dr Sutcliffe. By developing a world-class facility in a downtown area of the Central Business District (CBD) it impacts positively on property values in the area – and that effect is being felt already.

The highest land values anywhere in Durban at the moment can be found in the adjacent Point Development Area for sites alongside the newly built 1,5 metre deep canals (part of the aquarium’s filtration system), designated for upmarket apartments. “These sites are already oversubscribed,” said Dr Sutcliffe.

Further development spin-offs will be in the main beachfront CBD area. The old aquarium and dolphinarium will be demolished and designs are under consideration to reclaim the beach for recreation and sporting activities.

uShaka Marine World is billed to be the catalyst that will take Durban’s Golden Mile to Platinum!

This article appeared in Business SA.