Bayworld — Attraction in Nelson Mandela Bay Ward 2

Bayworld was once a treasured destination in Port Elizabeth. It held a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists, known for its engaging exhibits, vibrant marine life, and educational experiences. Families would visit with excitement, children wide-eyed as they watched dolphins leap through the air, or wandered through the museum filled with displays that brought the natural world to life. It was a place that inspired curiosity and created lasting memories. But those days feel like a distant dream.

Today, Bayworld is a heartbreaking sight. What once stood as a symbol of pride and learning has been reduced to a decaying, neglected space. The animal enclosures are in a dreadful state. Trash is scattered in and around them, with no effort made to keep the areas clean or safe. In some cases, there are even dead animals left in the enclosures, a truly disturbing sign of how far standards have fallen. It is difficult to understand how such a lack of care has been allowed to continue.

The entire facility feels forgotten. Dust clings to every surface, and windows are so dirty they block out the light. Once vibrant and informative displays have remained unchanged for over a decade, making the museum feel more like a time capsule than a living, educational space. Nothing has been updated, improved, or even maintained. The signs of decay are everywhere, from broken fixtures to faded posters and empty exhibit rooms. Visitors who remember Bayworld in its prime can only feel dismay at the contrast.

There is no sense of progress or rejuvenation. Instead, the space feels abandoned, not just physically but in spirit. The energy that once made Bayworld a place of joy and discovery has been completely lost. The sadness is made worse by the knowledge of what it used to be. It was a place that held potential to educate and inspire, a place that could have evolved and remained relevant. But that opportunity has been squandered.

Bayworld now serves as a grim reminder of what happens when a place is left to deteriorate without vision or care. The community deserves better. The animals deserve better. And the memories of what Bayworld used to be deserve more than this slow and painful decline. Until serious changes are made, it will remain not only a disappointment...

Short Review: 3/5 A good way to keep kids busy for 2-3 hours in the school holidays; however showing its age. Long Review: Bayworld had an open tourist day where one could go in for free. Kids have been nagging for a while now to go so, jumped at the opportunity. There is ample of parking in front of venue and can overflow across the road, but doubt that it will be that busy. The oceanarium has 2x large turtles, seals and penguins. There is a feeding/show at 11h00 and if you sit early you can get a shady spot next to the pool. The staff were friendly and willing to answer questions with a smile. The show was informative with interaction with the crowd (how about getting a wet kiss from a seal). Next was the feeding of the penguins and last but not least the giant turtles. Next door is the museum with a variety of topics on display - from fashion, fish to shipping, transport and photography. Outside is a reptile and snake park, where you can touch a python and get real up close to a life size dinosaur. There are turtles, terapin and crocs on display and a shaded walk thru area to view snakes. There are unfortunately no restaurants or shops (not even a vending machine) in the building that sell refreshments or snacks so maybe buy before you go. Overall it was an okay outing, however the facilities are showing its age and with the dolphins gone there is a big piece of attraction missing. You can however see that the staff are passionate about what they do, and really deserve to...

Very torn about how I should rate Bayworld. Even though the aquarium was closed due to construction I still feel you do get bang for your buck.

The museum is great and offers many interesting facts and artifacts relating to maritime history, fashion, sea life, photography, birds and coral. The building itself can definately benefit from a renovation and some modernizing as it does feel abit dark and dingy.

The dinosaur exhibition is also really informative for the kids and introduces the visitor to the Algoasaurus which was discovered in Port Elizabeth. Lifelike models of some pretty impressive herbivores and carnivores make for great photo opportunities.

My criticism stems solely from the live animal exhibitions. One can view turtles, snakes and even crocodiles. The enclosures these animals currently reside in are very small, rather dirty, overgrown, badly maintained and offer the animal very little stimulation and interest. I would prefer if they would forgo the live exhibitions and perhaps focus their resources and energy on expanding, maintaining and renovating the museum portion as this currently has the most potential. I am unable to comment on the aquarium as it was under construction...