Meet at the Gateway
Find Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and arrive by the time on your ticket.
Cape Town to Robben Island
Robben Island Tickets & Tours from Cape Town
Step aboard at the V&A Waterfront and watch Cape Town recede as the ferry crosses Table Bay. On Robben Island, follow its story through historic sites and the former prison, with a guide to bring the place into focus.
- Return ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway
- About four hours, including the return ferry
- Guided visit to historic sites and the former prison
3.5–4 hoursStandard visit, including return ferry
V&A WaterfrontNelson Mandela Gateway departure point
Ferry + prison visitCross Table Bay from Cape Town
Museum-operatedThe museum runs the ferry and visitor service
The visit
Cross Table Bay into the island’s past
Your visit begins at Nelson Mandela Gateway on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The ferry carries you across the bay; on Robben Island, the guided visit takes in historic sites and the former prison.
Look back towards the city as the shoreline falls away. Then step onto an island whose buildings tell very different chapters of South Africa’s history, including the years political prisoners were held here.
How the day unfolds
From the Gateway to the island and back
Set aside 3.5–4 hours for the standard visit, including both ferry trips. Each crossing takes about 30–60 minutes, depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Your ticket has the check-in time.
Cross to Robben Island
Cross Table Bay by ferry. The vessel and sea conditions shape the journey time.
Walk through the island’s history
The guided visit takes in historic sites and the former prison.
Return to Cape Town
The ferry brings you back to Nelson Mandela Gateway. Leave room in your plans for the full visit.
Tour length and ferry times: Robben Island Museum visitor FAQs.
Robben Island Museum
History in place
Many lives, one island
Robben Island has served as a place of banishment, a hospital, a military base and a prison. During apartheid, political prisoners were held in its maximum-security prison. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment here.
Today the island is a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former prison is one part of its story; the visit also places it within the longer history of the island and the people confined there.
Read UNESCO’s description of Robben IslandVisitor guides
Stories from the island
Before you book
Plan your crossing
Choose a date to see the current price, departure details and ticket terms.
Get your ticketsYour ticket
Ferry crossing and guided prison visit
This ticket pairs the return ferry with a guided visit to the former prison. Check your date for the current price, departure time and full inclusions.
Return ferry + prison visit
Ferry ticket and guided prison tour
Begin and end at Nelson Mandela Gateway, the ferry terminal at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
- Return ferry crossing from Cape Town
- Guided visit to the former prison
Robben Island Museum operates the ferry and visitor service.
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Review the details shown for your date before you book.
Visitor questions
Robben Island tour FAQs
Ferry times, visit length, tickets and what to expect on the island.
Who operates the Robben Island ferry and tour?
Robben Island Museum runs the ferry and visitor service. This website is an independent affiliate guide; it does not operate the ferry or the visit.
How long does a standard Robben Island tour take?
Allow about 3.5–4 hours for the standard visit, including the return ferry. Each crossing takes around 30–60 minutes, depending on the vessel and conditions.
Where does the ferry to Robben Island leave from?
Ferries leave from Nelson Mandela Gateway at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. Check your ticket for the departure and check-in time.
What does the standard visit include?
The standard visit includes the return ferry and a guided tour of the island and former prison. Ticket inclusions can vary, so read the details for the date you choose.
How much do Robben Island tickets cost?
Prices vary by date and availability. Choose a date through the ticket link to see the current price and what is included.
Where can I book the ferry and guided prison tour?
Use Get your tickets to choose a date and review the price, inclusions and terms before paying.
What should I bring?
Wear shoes you can walk in and check your booking for identification and arrival requirements. The museum’s visitor FAQs have the latest practical guidance.
Plan the visit
Take the ferry across Table Bay
See available dates and check the departure details for your visit.
Get your tickets