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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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Teresa_e
Apr 16, 2026
An emotional and... - An emotional and enlightening journey.
With stories from ex prisoners whom had both been incarcerated during the Apartheid era.
Thank you Viator for bringing us the opportunity.
T & G from Australia.
Review provided by Viator
Kathee_c
Apr 14, 2026
Robben Island Tour - Very informative, emotional and inspiring. The guides were wonderful telling us their experiences while being imprisoned. It was also heart breaking.
Review provided by Viator
Colin_d
Apr 13, 2026
Great value must do trip in Cape Town. - Robben Island plays a hugely important part in South Africa’s recent history.
The story is passionately told by guides and former inmates of the treatment of political prisoners over the years. It is a somber and moving experience to visit Robben Island but so worthwhile and I would encourage people to visit it while in Cape Town. The trip is also great value
Review provided by Viator
Ntombi_b
Apr 11, 2026
Wonderful experience - Sales team professional. Excellent trip, enjoyed the tour with my family. Great having this experience after last visit 20yes ago.
Review provided by Viator
Julia
Apr 11, 2026
A worthwhile experience - A very moving experience which gave me a much deeper understanding of the history of South Africa .
Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
Apr 10, 2026
A must see and do in Capetown - Easy to book. Information on where to go and what was needed very detailed and helpful. Our group of 4 had a great day. A must if you are visiting Capetown.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samantha_f
Apr 8, 2026
A beautiful lesson on human suffering and cruelty - An eye opening and humbling experience. Our tour guide Sparks was an ex political prisoner on Robben Island in the 1980s, and this made the tour carry so much more weight. His personal insights into the torture, the suffering, the cruelty and inhumane conditions in which black political prisoners experienced on Robben Island was moving. Regardless of what they did to be condemned to prison, the punishments they faced didn’t fit any reasonable crime, particularly with the worse conditions for black inmates. And for many of them to go on to forgive their jailers and those who oppressed them was a beautiful message about forgiveness and decency and grace.
Additional history into the island before it became a political prison in the 20th century was also moving and informative. The tour was relatively brief - I do recommend water for hot days as the bus gets really stuffy and there is no air con. I would have expected to have seen some upgrades to the village given people live there but in saying this, the scarce and almost abandoned nature of the island certainly adds to the gloomy experience of the island!!!!
An unmissable Cape Town Experience. Highly recommend going along.
Review provided by Viator
Susan_b
Apr 12, 2026
Moving Robben Island with real life experiences - Excellent guides, lovely boat trip there and back. The ex prisoners made the experience very special. I didn't give it a 5/5 because everything is so rushed which is a shame.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_s
Apr 4, 2026
Must do in Capetown - Well organised, informative, interesting. Well worth the cost. Need to book ahead as it is a very popular activity.
Review provided by Viator
962matt
Apr 4, 2026
Great history but so so trip - Can’t beat the historical significance of but tour is more like 5 hours door to door. There isn’t a ton to see on the island. Tour could be 3 hours in total. Not a lot of bathrooms or places to buy water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
