Aquariums in and near Port Elizabeth

Bayworld

The pool was re-established as a fish tank and is now home to a wide variety of large fish, sharks and turtles. Alongside it, is the smaller tropical tank where a variety of tropical fish and sea turtles are displayed. ... more

South Africa is the meeting-point for two oceans with completely different temperatures and ecosystems. The mixture of the chilly Atlantic and tropical Indian Oceans gives rise to a fascinating variety of marine species. These are featured in South Africa's world-class aquariums.

Excellent aquariums are found in the main coastal cities of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Cape Town's Two Oceans Aquarium, located at the V&A Waterfront, showcases the unique diversity of life at the meeting of the two oceans. Included are penguins and seal exhibits and the opportunity to dive with sharks in the predator tank. Scuba qualifications are required for the shark diving experience.

The main attraction of the Bayworld Aquarium and Oceanarium in Port Elizabeth's main is its dolphin lake where friendly bottle nosed dolphins entertain audiences several times a day. Bayword also features a 900 000 litre tropical fish tank, and colonies of penguins and fur seals.

Ushaka Sea World on Durban's Golden Mile is unique in that visitors experience the aquarium's displays underground, through the portholes of a 'wrecked vessel'. Creatures on show include sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, seals, penguins and thousands of tropical fish.

Smaller aquariums can be found in East London and at the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria. There are seal shows and penguin feeding demonstrations in East London and Pretoria offers behind-the-scenes tours.