General admission for the standalone uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium experience is R126 per person for adults, children, and seniors, while children under the age of 3 enter for free. Visitors seeking full access to uShaka Sea World—which includes the underground shipwreck viewing galleries as well as live dolphin, seal, and penguin presentations—pay R245 for adults and R198 for children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased directly at the uShaka Marine World ticketing office located at the Durban Point Waterfront.
uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium & Sea World Ticket Prices
uShaka Marine World offers multiple ticket tiers depending on whether you want to tour just the subterranean aquarium galleries or access the broader marine park, stadium shows, and adjacent attractions.
| Ticket Type | Adults | Kids (Ages 3–12) / Seniors (61+) | Toddlers (Under 3) |
| Shipwreck Aquarium (Aquarium Only) | R126 | R126 | Free |
| Full Sea World Pass (Aquarium + Shows) | R245 | R198 | Free |
| Sea World + Wet ‘n Wild Combo | R366 | R297 | Free |
| Dangerous Creatures Exhibit | R78 | R78 | Free |
| Kids World Pass | R21 | R75 | Free |
Note: Prices and promotional packages are subject to change by park management.
Shipwreck Aquarium Only vs. Full Sea World Pass
- Shipwreck Aquarium Pass (R126): Grants self-guided access through the underground viewing tunnels built into the replica 1940s steamship. It includes all major marine display tanks featuring sharks, rays, coral reefs, and open-ocean species. During off-peak seasons, access runs from 09:00 to 17:00; during peak periods, this standalone rate applies primarily to late afternoon entry (from 15:30 onwards).
- Full Sea World Pass (R245 / R198): Includes complete entry to the Shipwreck Aquarium plus access to the outdoor stadiums for live dolphin presentations, seal behavior shows, and the African penguin rookery.
Interactive Animal Encounters & Add-On Rates
For visitors seeking hands-on experiences, uShaka Sea World offers specialized animal encounter programs that can be booked alongside standard admission.
| Experience | Price per Person | Minimum Age | Schedule / Duration |
| Ray Feed | R177 | 12+ years | Thu–Sun at 13:30 (Peak: Tue, Thu–Sun) |
| Snorkel Lagoon | R155 (R80 Mon–Tue off-peak) | 5+ years | Daily, 30-minute sessions |
| Shark Cage Dive | R258 | 8+ years | Wed–Sun, 09:30–18:00 |
| Ocean Walker (Guided Walk) | R350 | 10+ years | Daily in-season / Wed–Sun out-of-season |
| Chimp & Zee Rope Adventure | R240 | 6+ years (min 1.2m) | Wed–Sun, 09:00/10:00–17:00 |
Encounter spaces are limited per session and must be reserved at the ticketing office or designated dive desks on the morning of your visit.
What to Expect Inside the uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium
Built inside a life-size recreation of the Phantom Ship, the uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium spans 500 meters of subterranean tunnels and holds millions of liters of sea water, making it one of the largest aquarium complexes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Underground Shipwreck Galleries
Visitors walk through themed holds, boiler rooms, and engine compartments of a rusted shipwreck. Each gallery provides floor-to-ceiling acrylic viewing windows looking directly into simulated ocean habitats, deep-sea trenches, and rocky reef ecosystems.
Marine Life Exhibits
The aquarium houses more than 10,000 sea creatures representing over 300 marine species native to the Western Indian Ocean, including:
- Shark Exhibits: Ragged-tooth sharks, spinner sharks, and hammerheads cruising through deep-water tanks.
- Open Ocean Tank: Massive schools of tuna, kingfish, pompano, and giant groupers.
- Reef & Ray Tanks: Honeycomb stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and vibrant live coral biomes.
- Specialty Exhibits: Moray eel caves, seahorse breeding displays, and venomous stonefish habitats.
Daily Feeding Schedules
| Presentation / Feeding | Time | Days |
| Penguin Feed | 09:30 & 16:00 | Daily |
| Open Ocean Feeding | 11:00 | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday |
| Snorkel Lagoon Feed | 11:00 (Fri 12:00) | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
| Reef Predator Feeding | 12:00 (Sat 14:00) | Tuesday & Thursday |
| Large Shark Feed | 14:00 | Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
Operating Hours, Location & Visitor Details
Operating Hours
- Sea World & Aquarium: Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (Ticketing office closes at 16:00).
- Peak Season: Includes all South African public holidays and KwaZulu-Natal government school holidays.
- Off-Peak Season: Open Monday through Sunday for Sea World; selected water park facilities (Wet ‘n Wild) close on Mondays and Tuesdays during off-peak periods.
Location and Parking
- Physical Address: 1 King Shaka Avenue, Point Waterfront, Durban, 4001, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Parking: Paid open-air and underground parking is available directly opposite the main entrance along Camperdown and Bell Streets.
- Village Walk: The open-air shopping and dining precinct adjacent to the park does not require an entrance fee and features restaurants overlooking the dolphin stadium and the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the entrance fee for the uShaka Shipwreck Aquarium?
The standalone Shipwreck Aquarium ticket costs R126 per person for adults, children (ages 3–12), and senior citizens (61+). Toddlers under the age of 3 enter free of charge.
What is the difference between the Shipwreck Aquarium ticket and a full Sea World ticket?
The Shipwreck Aquarium ticket provides access strictly to the underground shipwreck galleries and interior viewing tanks. A full Sea World pass (R245 for adults / R198 for children and seniors) includes entry to the shipwreck galleries plus the outdoor stadium presentations for dolphins, seals, and penguins.
Are children and toddlers charged full admission at uShaka?
Children aged 3 to 12 receive discounted rates on full Sea World passes (R198) and combo tickets (R297). For the standalone Shipwreck Aquarium ticket, the standard rate is R126 for all paying visitors. Toddlers under the age of 3 enter free across all standard park attractions.
Can I upgrade an Aquarium-only ticket to include the dolphin and seal shows?
Yes. If you purchase a standalone Shipwreck Aquarium ticket (R126) and later decide to watch the stadium shows, you can visit the on-site ticketing office to pay the difference and upgrade to a full Sea World pass.
Do I need to book uShaka Marine World tickets in advance?
Tickets can be purchased on the day of your visit at the main uShaka ticketing office. However, if you plan to participate in interactive experiences such as the Ray Feed, Shark Cage Dive, or Snorkeling, advance morning booking at the gate is strongly recommended due to strict capacity limits per session.
What is the combo ticket price for Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild?
The combo pass, which includes full-day access to both the Sea World marine park and the Wet ‘n Wild water park, costs R366 for adults and R297 for children (ages 3–12) and seniors. Toddlers under 3 enter free.