Robben Island tour

The visit starts at Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. From there, the ferry crosses Table Bay to Robben Island. After landing, the island route combines transport between historic sites with time at the former prison, then returns to Cape Town by ferry.

Before you travel, confirm the departure and check-in times, inclusions and current terms for your date. Check those details for your chosen date rather than relying on a general schedule.

Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his imprisonment on Robben Island. Many other political prisoners were held there for opposing apartheid. Their experiences, and the resistance they maintained under difficult conditions, are central to understanding the former prison.

The island’s story began long before the apartheid years. It has also been used for banishment, medical isolation and military purposes. The visitor route gives a view of more than one chapter in that history.

Your visit includes return ferry trips and a guided visit to the former prison. Before booking, compare the departure time and price with your plans, then review the cancellation terms. Before you travel, review the departure details and follow the arrival instructions for your visit.

Robben Island Museum operates the ferry and visitor service.

Allow roughly four hours for the complete visit, including both ferry crossings. Get to the V&A Waterfront with time to find the Gateway and complete check-in. Bring a light layer for the boat and wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on the island.

The former prison is a memorial site. Give the guided visit your attention, follow instructions and make room for the stories of the many people who were imprisoned there.

The ferry crossing, route around the island and former-prison visit make up one connected experience. The guide’s account helps explain how different historic places relate to the lives of people imprisoned there and to the island’s earlier uses.

The route and stops can vary with operating conditions, so allow flexibility in your plans. Review it for your chosen date before you book.

Robben Island is a place with painful history as well as striking scenery. The guided visit gives the buildings context and encourages visitors to consider what imprisonment meant for people held far from the mainland.

Stay with the group and follow site guidance. Your visit includes return ferry trips and a guided visit to the former prison.

A visit can include sites beyond the former prison, such as places associated with quarrying and other periods of the island’s history. Together they show that Robben Island was used for different purposes and that its story extends beyond the apartheid-era prison.

The route and stops can vary with operating conditions. Before booking, review your date, departure time, inclusions and cancellation terms.