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Robben Island Tour: Exclusive Early Access
4.2
77 Ratings
Cape Town
Participate in our exclusive Robben Island tour for a unique, personalized, and historically immersive experience. Enjoy a storytelling ferry ride and gain rare insights from a former political prisoner.
Participate in our exclusive Robben Island tour for a unique, personalized, and historically immersive experience. Enjoy a storytelling ferry ride and gain rare insights from a former political prisoner.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Robben Island Museum - Embark on a profound journey through South Africa’s history with the Robben Island Museum Tour. Here’s what awaits you:
Highlights of Your Tour:
- Ferry Ride to the Island
- Guided Bus Tour of the Island
- Visit significant sites, including:
- The limestone quarry where political prisoners, such as Nelson Mandela, endured…
- Robben Island Museum - Embark on a profound journey through South Africa’s history with the Robben Island Museum Tour. Here’s what awaits you:
Highlights of Your Tour:
-
Ferry Ride to the Island
-
Guided Bus Tour of the Island
- Visit significant sites, including:
- The limestone quarry where political prisoners, such as Nelson Mandela, endured hard labor.
- The leper colony cemetery (19th-century history).
- Maximum Security Prison (where a former political prisoner will guide you).
- Walk Through the Prison
- Stand in Nelson Mandela’s cell (an incredibly moving experience).
- Listen to firsthand accounts from former inmates about the struggles and victories of apartheid.
- Panoramic Views & Wildlife
- Observe penguins, seals, and seabirds—the island also serves as a nature reserve!
- Table Mountain - Relish breathtaking views of Table Mountain and Cape Town’s coastline from the water (a fantastic photo opportunity!).
What's Included
- Former prisoner Guide
- Return Robben Island Ferry tickets
- Robben Island Museum Entry Ticket and Tour
- Choose correct option: International Travel rate, SA ID = “South African Rate”
- Former prisoner Guide
- Return Robben Island Ferry tickets
- Robben Island Museum Entry Ticket and Tour
- Choose correct option: International Travel rate, SA ID = “South African Rate”
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
- What to bring Your passport/ID or a copy of your passport/ID or a photo of your passport/ID on your phone
- We will need Full names of all participants in your group. Dates of birth for any minors under 18 years of age
- Please note that the confirmation message you received from the Viator /GetYourGuide, and other partners’ platform is not your actual…
- What to bring Your passport/ID or a copy of your passport/ID or a photo of your passport/ID on your phone
- We will need Full names of all participants in your group. Dates of birth for any minors under 18 years of age
- Please note that the confirmation message you received from the Viator /GetYourGuide, and other partners’ platform is not your actual ferry ticket, we will issue the ticket a day before the activity.
- Please ensure that you add your proper information such as the correct country code and mobile number because your tickets will be sent via WhatsApp or iMessage or email.
- For South African travellers, please enter the ID number of each adult in the “Special requirements” box when making the booking.
Location
The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island
Nelson Mandela Gateway
V&A Waterfront, Dock Road, Cape Town (located at the Clock Tower Precinct)
Directions:
1. Head to the V&A Waterfront
2. Look for the red-and-white Clock Tower – a prominent landmark.
3. The Nelson Mandela Gateway is the large modern building right next to it.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(77 Ratings)
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Nickd315
Jan 22, 2026
Excellent half day tour of Robben Island - An absolutely wonderful half day experience and insight to the struggles of South Africa’s political activists. The tour is given by former inmates who tell an emotional heartbreaking story of their lives incarcerated in this historic prison. Take some spare money if you want to buy anything on the island as they don’t take cards, you can also tip the inmates giving the tour as that is how they get a little extra income. Our guide Modise Phekonyane brought tears to my eyes for the suffering he experienced for no other reason than having different political ideas from the ruling party. I would also recommend buying tickets direct from the official site which are significantly cheaper than other tour sites. Ours cost ZAR600 each.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melise_b
Jan 7, 2026
It was the most... - It was the most informative trip I’ve ever taken, The guides were friendly and informative. Loved it.
Review provided by Viator
Lea_l
Jan 7, 2026
Eye opening encounter with past atrocities - Difficult to hear about inhumane treatment of prisoners but important to better understand plight of Black
People during and since apartheid.
Review provided by Viator
Rebeckag
Jan 5, 2026
Exciting story! - We were very pleased with our experience. Everything worked well, the guide was clear and funny. Very interesting and we recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nqobile_s
Jan 4, 2026
Very Informative, Also... - Very Informative, Also The Fact That The Tour Guide Was Someone Who Was Once Been In That Jail Made Things A Bit Interesteling
Review provided by Viator
Siyabonga_m
Jan 23, 2026
Ferry to human race island - Bus trip on the island with stops at heritage sites ,interesting for those who have background of South African history pre 94
Review provided by Viator
Willemien_s
Jan 17, 2026
Robben Island - Very informative, well organized, thank you. Would have loved to wander around a bit longer... Regards
Review provided by Viator
Valerie_f
Jan 4, 2026
Fascinating tour - Very well organized tour once you get on the ferry. I did not like the fact that the actual tickets were emailed to me at 5am for a 9am tour. They should be sent 24h before, when it's too late to cancel. I wasn't sure we were actually going until I received the tickets. That made me uncomfortable.
Otherwise, great tour of the island and the prison. Very interesting guides.
I highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Minahil_h
Jan 10, 2026
Good for a one-time... - Good for a one-time experience. Stuff was not very friendly. Tour guides were exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Karishma
Jan 9, 2026
Misleading tour - There is no point of taking this tour via any travel portal and or company. Book tickets directly to save cost. The tour description didn’t mention that this is not a guided tour. The description was misleading and costed far more than booking directly
Review provided by Tripadvisor
