uShaka Wet ’n Wild Waterpark to Close for Maintenance in May 2026: What travellers need to know

Travellers planning a family visit to uShaka Marine World in Durban should take note of a temporary closure affecting one of its most popular attractions.

Planned closure dates confirmed

The Wet ’n Wild Waterpark at uShaka Marine World will be temporarily closed from Monday, 04 May to Saturday, 23 May 2026 to allow for essential maintenance and refurbishment.

The three-week closure has been strategically scheduled during the park’s quieter low season, helping to minimise disruption for both local visitors and international travellers.

What’s being upgraded?

The maintenance programme will focus on improving key visitor experiences, including:

• Refurbishment of the three highest water slides
• Upgrades to the popular 5-lane racer slides
• Resurfacing of multiple pools across the waterpark

These upgrades are aimed at enhancing safety, ride quality, and overall guest satisfaction ahead of the busy mid-year travel period.

What remains open at uShaka Marine World?

Importantly, the rest of uShaka Marine World will continue operating as normal during this time. Visitors can still enjoy:

• Sea World (aquarium and dolphin shows)
• Kids World (family-friendly play areas)
• Sea Animal Encounters
• Dangerous Creatures exhibit

This means that even during the waterpark closure, uShaka Marine World remains a worthwhile stop for families exploring Durban's coastline.

Travel planning tips

If your itinerary includes Durban in May 2026, consider the following:

• Plan ahead: If the waterpark is a must-do, schedule your visit from 23 May 2026 onwards
• Adjust expectations: Focus on marine experiences rather than water rides during the closure period
• Avoid peak disappointment: Families with young children may want to align travel dates with the reopening

Looking ahead

The Wet ’n Wild Waterpark is expected to reopen on Saturday, 23 May 2026, just in time for the upcoming holiday travel season. Visitors can look forward to refreshed facilities and an improved experience across some of the park’s most popular attractions.

uShaka Marine World has apologised for any inconvenience and emphasised that these upgrades are essential to maintaining high safety and quality standards.

 

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Durban: uShaka Marine World reopens after strike!

The uShaka Marine World in Durban in KwaZulu-Nata has announced on 15 March 2024 that it is reopening to guests on 16 March 2024. The theme park on Durban's Golden Mile was closed since 12 February due to an industrial action. The strike got suspended officially from Friday, 15 March 2024. To accommodate for the preparations, the reopening of the various offerings will have a staggered approach as follows:

• Village Walk Mall – open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Dangerous Creatures – open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Sea Animal Encounter Island - open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Sea World - open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Cargo Hold Restaurant – open on Monday, 18 March 2024
• Wahooz Restaurant – open on Monday, 18 March 2024
• Kids World – open on Wednesday, 20 March 2024
• Wet n Wild – open on Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Durban: uShaka Marine World closed until further notice due to strike over wages!

The uShaka Marine World in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal has announced on 12 February 2024 that it is temporarily closed until further notice due to an industrial action. The theme park’s employees represented by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) issued the management with a strike notice after wage negotiations with the eThekwini Municipality, the owner of the uShaka Marine World, have deadlocked. The dispute is now being handled by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
According to the Berea Mail, a local newspaper from Durban, the staff of uShaka Sea World will continue to care for the animals during the strike as they are managed by a separate entity to uShaka Marine World.

Tour: uShaka Marine World in Durban

Durban's world class saltwater aquarium, uShaka Marine World will have young and old delighted! With over 30 indoor and outdoor exhibits, uShaka Marine World includes a variety of marine life - see a dolphin, penguin and seal show, and marvel at the intelligence of these animals.
Your tour of the uShaka Marine World will comprise a saltwater aquarium with over thirty indoor and outdoor displays, and exhibits of South Africa's unique Indian and Atlantic Ocean marine life.

At the end of Durban's Golden Mile, is the beginning of a new world of fun, entertainment end excitement. uShaka Marine World, spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, is Africa's largest marine theme park. Incorporating fresh and sea water, lush vegetation, natural materials and the recreation of a 1920's cargo ship wreck, uShaka Marine World had created a magical world of sea and marine life.

The park is made up of 5 zones:

• Sea World
  Aquarium, dolphinarium, seal pool, dive tank, snorkel reef and lots more
• Phantom Ship
  Culinary delights at the Cargo Hold and Upper Deck
• Wet 'n' Wild
  A fun fresh water world of slides and pools for the adrenaline junkie
• Ushaka Beach
  Non-stop beach and surf action
• Village Walk
  There's nothing to beat the marine theme shopping adventure

With shark cage dives, ocean walkers, helicopter rides, surf lessons and scuba diving options at an additional cost at the park, there is plenty to keep the whole family busy for the day!

Tour: Ushaka Marine World in Durban >>
Departure Point: Tour departs from selected Durban City hotels or Umhlanga hotels
Departure Time: 2:00pm
Return Details: Tour returns to original point of departure at approximately 5:00pm

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uShaka Marine World, Durban, South Africa

The uShaka Marine World is one of Durban's top tourist attractions. It is the 5th largest aquarium in the world boasting 32 tanks totaling 17,500 cubic meters of water.
The main sections of the uShaka Marine World are the uShaka Sea World (the actual aquarium), uShaka Wet 'n Wild (a water park for young & old), uShaka Beach (well, guess, a beach) & uShaka Village Walk (restaurants, shops etc.).
The whole complex is located on the strip of land between Durban's beachfront and the harbour.



uShaka Sea World opening times:
Monday to Sunday from 0900 to 1700 (after dark only on Sundays)
uShaka Wet n' Wild opening times:
Wednesday to Sunday from 0900 to 1700 (Mon & Tues only open during public hols & school hols)

uShaka Marine World Tour >>
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