- Where to find: South Africa, Port Elizabeth, Humewood-Beach;
- Cost: 40 rand;
- Opening hours: 09.00-16.30
One of the most interesting attractions of Port Elizabeth is the BayWorld complex. This is a unique place where the visitor from the threshold enters the mysterious world of the ocean, and with each passage from the hall to the hall, he discovers something new. The oceanarium and museums that make up the complex annually receive hundreds of thousands of tourists.
History of the complex
The history of the museum began in 1856, when a room in the library was allocated to store samples of local flora and fauna. The collection was continuously replenished, in 1897 the museum received official status. Over time, the museum's management begins to attract viewers not only with traditional expositions, but also with live snake shows, magic lantern shows. The townspeople happily came to see the legendary snake trainer, who for his life was bitten by poisonous snakes more than 30 times and did not suffer at all from it. During the Second World War, the museum played a key role in providing Allied forces with serums against snake venom.
Spectacular events contributed to the growth of the museum's income, eventually he moved to a luxurious mansion on Bird Street. In 1947, the museum complex was awarded the visit of the British royal family.
In 1968, the complex included an architectural monument - a Victorian house of the 19th century, called Castle Hill Museum. After another 18 years, the Marine History and Shipwreck Hall, later recognized as the best in southern Africa, was opened.
Complex today
The modern BayWorld complex includes an oceanarium, a snake park and two museums, provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the diversity of the water world and visit many interesting family events.
The oceanarium consists of several outdoor swimming pools and aquariums, in which live predatory sharks, octopuses, seahorses, colorful tropical fish, etc. The show is very popular with playful dolphins, African penguins and fur seals. In the snake park, in addition to many species of snakes, there are lizards, crocodiles and sea turtles. This is a contact park where the bravest visitors can freely communicate with non-toxic reptiles.
In the largest museum of the complex are several halls - the Dinosaur Hall, the sea hall, the art gallery of Khos. Impressive exhibits attract the attention of children and adults. Especially spectacular is the 15-meter skeleton of the whale, the reconstruction of Algoazavra (local prehistoric dinosaur) life-size with a built-in sound mechanism, bronze cannons from the Portuguese galleon, crashed near Port Elizabeth. In the halls are installed displays that show cognitive films. In the gallery of Khos there are images of local beading. Temporary exhibitions of archaeological and geological exhibits typical of the region are held at the museum.
The Victorian cottage is the second museum of the BayWorld complex. This picturesque building is one of the oldest remaining houses in Port Elizabeth , equipped as a family house of the middle of the Victorian era and fully reflects the way of life and way of life of an early immigrant.
How to get there?
Situated on the coast of Humewood Beach, Bayworld is less than 10 minutes' drive from downtown Port Elizabeth , 4 km from the airport. In this area there are luxury hotels and budget hotels. To get there by bus, or take a taxi. For cars near the territory of the complex parking is provided. The Bayworld complex is open daily, from 9:00 to 16:30, with the exception of Christmas. There is a nominal entrance fee: an adult ticket is 40 rand, a child ticket is 30 rand. The entrance to the Castle Hill Museum is paid separately and costs 10 and 5 rand respectively.
Groups of 10 people are offered additional discounts.
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