Robben Island Ferry and Prison Tour

185 Ratings

Cape Town

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Experience the Robben Island Ferry & Prison Tour, where you can explore the history of South Africa and visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell. Skip the ticketing line and take a boat trip to the Robben Island Museum for a truly immersive experience.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island - Arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island in the Silo District, V&A Waterfront, 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time with either a digital copy of your passport or the original. Please be aware that this is a ticket-only service and does not include hotel transfers.
Once you have boarded…

What's Included

Shared Robben Island boat trip
Museum tour admission ticket

What's Not Included

Transfers between the V&A Waterfront & your accommodation

Additional Information

Experience a hassle-free visit to Robben Island with our Skip-the-Ticket-Line access, allowing you to avoid lengthy queues and enjoy quick entry with our convenient ticket-only option. Please note that hotel transfers are not included, so make your own way to the Nelson Mandela Gateway. After a shared ferry ride, discover the island where Nelson Mandela…

Location

The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island

Please go to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island near the Clocktower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront 30 minutes before the time on your ticket.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

3.1

(185 Ratings)

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Andrewhb6934ek

Mar 25, 2026

"My name is Modise" - "My name is Modise" I have mentioned before the importance of recognizing amazing hospitality, today was such a day while visting Robben Island. Modise, our outstanding guide, who was a prisoner on the island for five years, spoke with authority and power about the time he spent incarcerated along with Nelson Mandela. You could hear a pin drop as he described their harrowing lives as political prisoners under the apartheid regime. Tears came to our eyes as he recalled the torture he endured at the hands of his captors. As our tour came to an end he thanked us for visiting his country and the opportunity to give us an insight into his life as a prisoner. It was a very humbling experience and one we shall remember forever.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Bryan_h

Mar 19, 2026

A must! - This was great. Educational. Inspiring. Infuriating. Our guide in the prison, former inmate Max, was really great, as was the film on the ferry.

Review provided by Viator

Lucious_p

Dec 30, 2025

Great experience. My... - Great experience. My heart was filled with excitement getting there but being there felt different but I was glad to experience it with my beautiful partner.

Review provided by Viator

Jannerbloke

Feb 12, 2026

A neat reminder - We remember the day he walked out and a lot of what followed not least the World Rugby Cup Final. A great man. Coming here was important and not to be missed. We were guided found by an ex-political prisoner.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Andrew94114

Mar 30, 2026

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.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Todb347

Mar 20, 2026

Interesting but not spectacular - The day we went it was exceptionally hot (103F/39C) and that unfortunately affected the experience. The ferry ride was about 45 minutes, and we saw many seals and even whales on the journey. The boat was pretty packed, so you want to try to get on early to get a good seat. Sit up top for breeze and better visibility. Upon arrival, you're loaded onto buses for a tour of the island. The buses have no air conditioning, no fans, and the seats are 5 across and very tight. They waited until every seat was full. If you're over 6 feet tall or are wide, you'll be VERY uncomfortable. Further, it's difficult to see across the people next to you and forget about pictures unless you have a prime seat. The state really needs to use an open-air bus or one that is more suited for a tour. That would greatly improve the experience. The prison tour was interesting. Our tour guide actually spent time in the prison, even overlapping with Mandela, and had many stories to tell. He was easily the highlight of the tour and I could have listened to him all day. The prison itself was smaller than I thought and there were fewer pictures, etc. than I anticipated. There is a gift shop, but the island itself did not have places for food/drink, so please keep that in mind since your tour may span normal lunch hours.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Zora

Feb 3, 2026

Hot and long walk to karamat at robben island - It was nostalgic trip to Robben Island because I lived through the release of Nelson mandela and was part of the resistance as students from 1979 to 1983 The peak of the resistance. Tours well organized on busses and big boats. I specifically visted the karamat that mandela used to clean as part of his duties on robben island It was a long walk from dock to the mazaar no shuttles even though we senior citizens. My greatest complaint is that the waiting ateas are uncovered no bottled water offered to guests mostly international people. No shuttles for disabled people and we need tp be more proactive on these facilities even toilets and items for travelers to buy Please upgrade there is so much of revenue where is it going?

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Cali4niagirl8

Mar 8, 2026

Informative Tour But More Cost Effective to Book Through the Museum Directly - The tour itself was a wonderful experience. We watched an informative video that played during the ferry ride. Once we arrived on the island, we were split into two groups. Our group did a walking tour of the grounds with an English speaking guide. Our guide, Max, was a former prisoner on Robben Island and provided great insight into his experience there and the history of the island. He was very passionate about sharing his story and we enjoyed our time with him. Next, our group boarded a bus and did a driving tour of other sections of the island. During the bus ride, another English speaking guide shared more information with us about the island. The ride ended back near the ferry area where we stopped at the gift shop before boarding the ferry back. Although the tour was great, I give this experience low stars because we paid $82 USD per person. I found out after the fact that we could have booked this directly with the Robbens Island Museum website for 600 Rand per person, which is only about $35 USD. I suggesting saving your money and booking with the museum website directly.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Xsdv

Mar 5, 2026

Poor experience - Delayed sailing, kept hundreds of people waiting in non air conditioned glass waiting area, people nearly passing out. Aparantly this is normal!, stick to departure times, it’s not complicated

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Rainaldt2025

Mar 2, 2026

!!!! Service emergency !!!!! - The crossing is boring (there are no explanations/descriptions) and the ships offer zero comfort (no food and nothing to drink). Once on the island you are driven across the island like a flock of sheep. The buses are totally outdated and not suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. The staff are not helpful either. People with a stroller had to move it from the front to the back of the bus and received no help from the staff. Also, the staff did not ask the passengers in the front rows if they could make room for the family with the stroller. Other historical sites or landmarks handle this much, much better. See, for example, Table Mountain. This trip was a complete disappointment. Not an experience you like to remember. The management belongs replaced or the management of Table Mountain should take care of this matter.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $84

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult