What Does Your uShaka Ticket Include? — A Complete Breakdown
Planning a visit to uShaka Marine World (Durban)? Here’s a clear, up-to-date breakdown of what each ticket actually gives you, whether the combo ticket is worth it, and how Sea World and Wet ’n Wild compare — based only on official uShaka info and reputable visitor feedback.
Quick snapshot (official prices found on uShaka)
- Sea World (single park) — ~R245 adult / R198 child (example current pricing on uShaka pages and social posts). (uShaka Marine World)
- Wet ’n Wild (single park) — ~R245 adult / R198 child (same typical single-park price). (uShaka Marine World)
- Sea World & Wet ’n Wild Combo (all-day both parks) — R366 adult / R297 child. Toddlers under 3 are free. (uShaka Marine World)
- Shipwreck Aquarium (Aquarium-only) — R126 (adult & child) as listed on the Aquarium page. Note: aquarium-only excludes some shows/encounters (see below). (uShaka Marine World)
(Prices are posted on uShaka’s Rates & Times and attraction pages — these can change, so always check the official uShaka site before you go.) (uShaka Marine World)
What each ticket actually includes
Sea World (single-park)
- Access to Sea World attractions: shipwreck aquarium exhibits, penguin viewings, seal viewing areas, dolphin shows/presentations (show access can be included in Sea World tickets but check show schedules). Official pages list Sea World features and show times. (uShaka Marine World)
Wet ’n Wild (single-park)
- Full access to the waterpark: slides, pools, lazy river and family zones. Note: Wet ’n Wild has its own operating days/times and sometimes closes Mondays/Tuesdays in off-peak season — check the Wet ’n Wild page for trading times. Food hampers/cooler boxes are restricted for health & safety. (uShaka Marine World)
Combo Ticket (Sea World + Wet ’n Wild)
- Full-day access to both Sea World and Wet ’n Wild on the same day (all exhibits and general admission). This is the standard combo — prices shown on the official rates page. Some specialty experiences (e.g., Sea Animal Encounters, certain up-close encounters or feedings) are not automatically included and may require a top-up or separate booking at the ticket office. (uShaka Marine World)
Aquarium-only / Shipwreck Aquarium
- Cheaper, limited ticket for the aquarium displays; does not necessarily include Dolphin/Seal/Penguin shows or paid animal encounter activities (you can often “top up” your aquarium ticket at the ticket office to add shows/encounters). (uShaka Marine World)
Are dolphin/seal/penguin shows and animal encounters included?
No — while Sea World general admission often covers aquarium viewing and scheduled shows, special animal encounters (feedings, behind-the-scenes interactions, Sea Animal Encounters Island packages) are frequently sold separately or require a top-up at the ticket office. Always confirm on the Sea World / Aquarium pages or at the ticket desk. (uShaka Marine World)
Value for money — quick arithmetic (digit-by-digit)
Using the commonly published prices as examples:
- Single Sea World = R245 (adult).
- Single Wet ’n Wild = R245 (adult).
- Combo = R366 (adult).
Compare cost per park if you plan to visit both:
- Combo per park = 366 ÷ 2 = R183.00 per park.
That makes the combo cheaper per park than buying two separate single-park tickets (245 + 245 = R490). So if you plan to do both parks in the same day, the combo is typically better value. (uShaka Marine World)
For children:
- Combo child price example = R297 → 297 ÷ 2 = R148.50 per park, also cheaper than single child ticket (~R198). (uShaka Marine World)
For shorter visits focused only on the aquarium, the Shipwreck Aquarium ticket (~R126) is a lower-cost option — but again, it may exclude shows/encounters. (uShaka Marine World)
Sea World vs Wet ’n Wild — how to choose
- Choose Sea World if: you want marine shows, aquarium exhibits, penguins, seals, and educational displays. Better for families interested in animals and shows. (uShaka Marine World)
- Choose Wet ’n Wild if: you want water slides, pools, lazy river and active water fun — better for thrill seekers and hot days. Be aware of seasonal closures and ticketing cut-off times. (uShaka Marine World)
- Choose the combo if: you want to do both in one day — it’s generally the most cost-effective option for families or groups who plan a full day at uShaka. (uShaka Marine World)
Practical ticketing notes & tips (from official pages / park info)
- Ticket sales & top-ups: many tickets and top-ups (e.g., adding shows/encounters) are handled at the uShaka Ticketing Office — check before arrival. (uShaka Marine World)
- Trading / show times: show times, feed times and daily schedules are published on the “What’s On” / Show Times pages — verify the dates/times for dolphin and seal shows before you go. (uShaka Marine World)
- Seasonal changes & promotions: uShaka runs promotions and splash sales at times — these can temporarily change the best option for value (example promotions have run in previous seasons). Always check the official “News / Promotions” area. (uShaka Marine World)
- Health & safety rules: food hampers/cooler boxes and braais are typically not allowed inside Wet ’n Wild; ticketing may close earlier in the day for Wet ’n Wild. (uShaka Marine World)
Visitor perspective on value
Visitor reviews (e.g., TripAdvisor) commonly note that Wet ’n Wild is a good waterpark for families and that Sea World’s aquarium and shows are worthwhile — many visitors recommend the combo if you plan to do both on the same day because it stretches your money further. (Visitor experiences vary by season — winter visitors sometimes suggest half-day visits are sufficient for the waterpark.) (Tripadvisor)
Bottom line — Which ticket is right for you?
- If you only want aquarium/animal displays → consider Shipwreck Aquarium or Sea World single ticket (check whether shows are included or require top-up). (uShaka Marine World)
- If you only want waterpark fun → Wet ’n Wild single ticket. Watch for seasonal closures and ticket cut-off times. (uShaka Marine World)
- If you plan to do both in the same day → Buy the Combo. Per-park cost is lower and it’s usually the best value for families/groups. Do the arithmetic: combo (R366) ÷ 2 = R183 per park vs R245 each if bought separately. (uShaka Marine World)
Where I pulled the facts (official & credible sources)
- uShaka Marine World — Rates & Times (Sea World & Wet ’n Wild combo pricing and ticket notes). (uShaka Marine World)
- uShaka Marine World — Sea World and Wet ’n Wild attraction pages (what’s included, trading times & rules). (uShaka Marine World)
- uShaka Marine World — The Aquarium / Shipwreck Aquarium page (aquarium-only details and top-up notes). (uShaka Marine World)
- Visitor feedback (TripAdvisor) and recent uShaka social posts for real-world visitor notes and common promo prices. (Tripadvisor)
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