Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Robben Island's historic prison
- Stand in Nelson Mandela's former cell
- Learn about South Africa's apartheid history
- Enjoy scenic ferry ride with panoramic views
- Experience guided insights from former inmates
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip ferry ride to Robben Island
- Guided tour of the prison facilities
- Visit to Nelson Mandela's former cell
- Meals and beverages during the tour
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tours operate daily; booking in advance is recommended.
- Children under 2 years old can join for free if seated on a parent's lap.
- Photography is allowed, but tripods and drones are prohibited.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket or sweater, as weather can be unpredictable.
- Ensure you have a valid passport or ID for boarding the ferry.
Cancellation policy
0All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- This product is for international travellers. South African citizens and residents who qualify for local rates should book directly with Robben Island Museum if they wish to access local pricing.
- Robben Island ferry operations are weather dependent. If the ferry is cancelled by Robben Island Museum due to weather, sea conditions, operational reasons or safety concerns, guests will be assisted according to the cancellation or rescheduling policy available for the booking.
- The Robben Island experience is operated as a shared museum tour. Group size, ferry allocation, bus allocation, guide allocation, timing on the island, and access to specific areas are controlled by Robben Island Museum.
- Guests cannot enter every individual prison cell. Access is managed by Robben Island Museum for conservation, safety and crowd-control reasons.
- Please provide the correct mobile number, country code and email address when booking so that your ticket details can be sent to you.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Traveler reviews
Sobering review of history
This is a sobering activity. It provides insight into what humans are capable of and what they can endure. The trip over was on a large ferry which was crowded and had minimal air flow. A video depicting the history of the island looked interesting but could not be heard and while there were closed captions, at times these were lengthy and could not be appreciated Our tour guide was incredible and relegated several stories. Unfortunately, there were a couple of families with small children who allowed them to run around and talk loudly, making it difficult to hear the guide. While we understand children are allowed, a supervised and centralised area for younger children would enhance the experience for those who are interested in the history of Robben Island. An added benefit was seeing the African Penguins.
A disappointing cancellation
My ticket was cancelled less than 24 hours before the trip - with no real explanation. My friends, who also booked through Viator, did not have their trips cancelled. I then had to struggle to get my trip refunded, as it had been cancelled within the 24 hour refund window. However I did eventually manage to get it refunded.
Know your History!
This was such a amazing experience! Our guide was amazing. He shared his story with great passion. A truly special experience.
A sobering experience worth the visit
What an eye opening and educational experience this was. Our prison tour guide, Derek Basson, shared not only his personal experience as a prisoner in the late 80/early 90s, but many stories of Nelson Mandela and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, who was the founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Tears came to my eyes hearing the injustices prisoners faced during their time at the prison. Although it was a sobering experience it was worth the visit.
Tour needs more information and less politics….
As a history buff, this was a must see, and finally made it there on my 3rd trip to Cape Town. The view was great, even saw some penguins. But the tour was a bit random be shuttled around on a bus, only to be kept in a room with a guide that gave us a spiel that gave very little information about the island prison or its history, but may have qualified as a political pitch for the EFF party. Really had to bite my tongue.