Most tours depart from Cape Town and include transportation from city hotels, the boat trip to the island, and time at the former maximum security prison. Upon arrival on Robben Island, general tours start aboard a bus. Oftentimes, island tour guides are former political prisoners who can share information about South Africa’s history, as well as their own firsthand experiences. Custom and private tours are also available, while others combine a trip to the island with a Cape Town city tour or Table Mountain visit.
The 30-minute ferry ride to the island can be choppy; plan accordingly if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Arrive at least 45 minutes before your ferry departs to secure a spot and make your way to the boat.
A guided Robben Island bus tour, including ferry rides, takes up to 4 hours.
Food and drink are available for purchase on the island.
Robben Island is wheelchair accessible, but some of the ramps are quite steep.
Robben Island is set in Table Bay, about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) off the coast of Cape Town. Ferries for general island tours depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and there are typically four departures each day. The Sea Princess is one of the few wheelchair-accessible ferry options.
Robben Island is open and accessible year-round, with ferries departing four times a day in good weather. To experience the island at its least crowded, and with the coolest weather, depart on the first tour of the day. Alternatively, opt for the final tour of the day.
Once on the island, you’ll be able to see human rights activist and former prisoner Robert Sobukwe’s house; a 17th-century limestone quarry where Mandela and others were put to work; a leper colony cemetery; and the Robben Island Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory and contributions of the freedom fighters who were once held within its walls. Some tours also include access to Mandela’s cell.