The Golden Mile is a stretch of beach with golden sands in Durban South Africa stretching from the uShaka marine world in the south, to the newly constructed Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north. It is one of the main tourist attractions in the Durban area and provides many locations for sun worshippers to lounge, play games and enjoy the restaurants scattered along the mile. Famous hotels on, or near the mile include the former Maharani Hotel (now a 3-star Garden Court hotel) and the 5-star Royal Hotel, which is located in the nearby Central Business District.

The golden mile has long been a popular domestic holiday destination and during the holiday season, South Africans from across the country come in their droves.

Amusement park is the generic term for a collection of rides and other entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a fairly large group of people. An amusement park is more elaborate than a simple city park or playground, as an amusement park is meant to cater to adults, teenagers, and small children.

An amusement park may be permanent or temporary, usually periodic, such as a few days or weeks per year. The temporary help convey the feeling that people are in a different place or time. Often a theme park will have various 'lands' (sections) of the park devoted to telling a particular story. Alternatively, an amusement park often has rides with little in terms of theming or additional design elements. The main difference between a theme park and an amusement park is that in a theme park all the rides go all with the theme of the park, for example Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

Amusement parks evolved in Europe from Pleasure Gardens, which existed for the recreation of the people, while charging a fee. In the United States, expositions were another influence on the amusement park. Amusement parks were the historical precursors to modern theme parks as well as the more traditional midway arcades and rides at county and state fairs (in the United States). Today, amusement parks have largely been replaced by theme parks, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. The oldest amusement park of the world (opened 1583) is Bakken, at Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen, Denmark. Another long-standing park is Prater in Vienna, Austria, which opened in 1766.

For a remarkable example of a European park, dating from 1843 and still existing, see Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. Even older is the Oktoberfest which not only is a beer festival but also provides a lot of amusement park features dating back to 1810, when the first event was held in Munich, Germany.

Enjoy a full guided edutainment tour at Durban's newest attraction: Ushaka Marine World. Your tour of this world class facility will comprise a saltwater aquarium with over thirty indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits of South Africa 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!

Join a two hour tour into the Indian Ocean with an informative local guide.

You will cruise along Durban's golden mile where you will see the shark nets installed in 1952 after a spate of shark attacks in the area, and your guide will explain their role in protecting the local beaches.

Durban once boasted the largest land based whaling station in the world and the tour will take you past it as well as some wrecks and reefs in the area.

Throughout the tour there may be sightings of dolphins, whales, whale sharks, sea birds, rays and more. It is possible to snorkel as well if you wish, and masks and snorkels are provided.

Refreshments are served onboard and you will have a Marine Biologist to give you a fascinating insight of the area and its flora and fauna.