Visit Bayworld in Port Elizabeth to get up close to the marine life of South Africa’s Algoa Bay. Learn about dangerous sharks, check out giant whale skeletons and discover South Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Bayworld is a small complex that consists of three sections: the Oceanarium, the Snake Park and the natural and cultural history museum.
Find tanks with predatory sharks, octopus, seahorses and colourful tropical fish in the Oceanarium. Watch Cape fur seals swim playfully and listen as a guide explains about the colony of African penguins. Time your visit to coincide with a seal and penguin feeding show.
In the Snake Park, spot a variety of reptiles, including crocodiles, lizards and tortoises. See displays of different species of snakes, including the world’s longest snake species and the one responsible for the most fatalities in Africa. Signs provide information about the reptiles’ origins, attributes and danger levels. Brave visitors might want to touch or hold a non-venomous snake.
Don’t miss the museum, where exhibits showcase the country’s natural and cultural history. The First People of the Bay Exhibition focuses on Nelson Mandela Bay’s indigenous cultures while the Xhosa Gallery celebrates Xhosa history and handicrafts. Check out the 49-foot (15-metre) long skeleton of a southern right whale in the Marine Hall. See millennia-old fossils and a life-sized dinosaur model in the Dinosaur Hall. Learn about shipwrecks and the shipping history of Port Elizabeth in the Maritime History Hall.
Situated on the beachfront of Humewood Beach, Bayworld is less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Port Elizabeth. Get here by catching a local bus or taking a taxi. If arriving by car, find a large, car park outside the main entrance.
Bayworld is open daily, except for Christmas Day. There is a nominal admission fee. Behind-the-scenes tours are available with prior reservation. Check the attraction’s official website for information on daily shows and events.
