Robben Island Guided Tour with Ferry and Hotel Pickup

Cape Town, South Africa

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Pre-Booked Ticket to Robben Island Museum shared Ferry (Booking Time slots: 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm)
Shared Tour Guide Located at Robben Island
Bottled water
Parking Fees
Private vehicle and driver pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.

Gratuities
Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We will meet you at the arrivals hall, where your driver will be ready and waiting. If you prefer, we can also pick you up from your hotel or any location within a 15-kilometre radius of Cape Town City Centre. This flexible pickup service ensures a convenient start to your journey, allowing you to relax while we take care of your transportation needs. Whether you’re just arriving in the city or require pickup from another location, our friendly driver will be on hand to assist you, making your experience seamless and enjoyable. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re in good hands as you begin your adventure in Cape Town.

Meeting point

The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island
V&A Waterfront, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
We can meet at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. It’s a central and easy-to-find spot for travelers, so that should work perfectly

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Cape Town Central

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Robben Island Museum

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Cape Town Central

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.4

based on 48 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

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Robben Island tour

Alan_W, May 2026

An interesting day for sure learning about the life of political prisoners during their time there. A big shout out to our operator Said Travel tours…the original date got cancelled due to weather issues but he worked behind the scenes to get us a new date and we were extremely appreciative of that.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you found the visit both interesting and educational, and that learning about the lives of the political prisoners made such an impact. A special thank you for recognizing Said’s efforts. We understand how disappointing weather-related cancellations can be, and we’re pleased that he was able to work behind the scenes to arrange a new date for you. Your appreciation means a great deal to our team. We’re grateful for your support and hope to welcome you on another memorable tour in the future!

Dodgy dealings

Heather_S, May 2026

This was an expensive and stressful experience. We had booked the 9am tour several weeks ago only to be told at the gateway office that: 1. They had no record of us 2. The barcode provided by Viator under “Get your tickets” was a voucher only and not a ticket 3. In any event the 9am tour was cancelled and all other tours for that and the next couple of days were full. They then “discovered” that they had a record of us on the 8.30 tour but that boat had gone. ( All comms from Viator including a message two hours before confirmed our tour as being at 9am; we were at the gateway office at 8.35). As an aside, there was no evidence that there had been an 8.30 tour and all Comms from this provider stated the first tour of the day was at 9). By this time the tour provider (NY Cape Adventures) rep was present and he advised that our tickets were no longer valid because our boat had gone but that if we paid another 450 rand each (there were 3 of us) he could get us on the 10.30 tour ( even when others, including folk also booked on the 9 am tour through another operator) were turned away and were given refunds. Because we really wanted to go to Robben Island during our short stay in Cape Town, we paid the extra money. This whole experience has left a sour taste in our mouths and we would certainly not recommend this tour operator.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We are very sorry to hear about your stressful experience. Robben Island tickets are very limited and during busy periods there are sometimes unexpected schedule changes or ticket issues from the island operators. We understand how frustrating this must have been during your short stay in Cape Town. Our tour guide did go to the hotel provided for pickup, however unfortunately there was no guest available at the scheduled collection time. We still tried our best to assist you at the gateway and secure alternative tickets so that you could still visit Robben Island on the same day. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your comments as they help us improve our service.

Robben island

Jan_P, May 2026

It's a very somber experience but a definite need for one to do it. Another trip to cross off one's bucket list

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re honored that this visit was meaningful for you, even in such a somber way. It’s a powerful journey that leaves a lasting impression, and we appreciate you taking the time to reflect on its importance. Safe travels on the rest of your bucket-list adventures.

Robbin island provides its own tour guide and he was horribel

bernard_n, May 2026

The guide for robbing island was a former prisoner but was not knowledgeable and forthcoming regarding his experiences. The tour was boring and not a reflection of of Viator since the guide was not part of providing the tour for us

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that your experience on the Robben Island tour did not meet your expectations. We understand how important it is for guests to have an engaging and informative experience, especially on such a historical tour. While the Robben Island guides are managed independently by the museum, we truly regret that the tour felt disappointing and boring for you. Your comments are very valuable to us, and we will certainly share this feedback with the relevant team in hopes of improving future guest experiences. We sincerely apologize again and appreciate your honest review. Kind regards,

They never show up- don't waste your time.

Sousan_M, May 2026

The tour operator never showed up. We wasted almost 2 hours waiting and trying to contact them. They never picked up the phone or even respond to Viator agents trying to follow up. Don't book with this operator! They didn't bother to notify anyone ever! Viator has refunded me.

Response from Host, May 2026

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and frustration caused. Unfortunately, all Robben Island tours were cancelled on the day due to severe weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy sea swells, as decided by the Robben Island authorities for safety reasons. We understand how disappointing this was, especially after waiting for updates. Our team did send email notifications and attempted to contact all affected customers regarding the cancellation. We are sorry if the communication did not reach you in time. Regarding the refund, it has already been processed from our side. Please note that refunds can take up to 72 hours, depending on your bank or card provider, for the amount to reflect in your account. Again, we truly apologize for the experience and appreciate your understanding, as guest safety always remains our top priority.

Ripoff in Cape Town South Africa

Michaelahughes4, May 2026

If you ever in Cape Town do not use viator for tickets to Robben Island total ripoff we lost one hundred dollars. The port was 3 min walking to the pier you can buy your tickets there for $36 per person and the bus tour is not buy viator it’s from the prison so after you get your tickets at the port every thing else is included! I will never use viator again

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. As tour operators, our service includes more than just the ferry ticket itself. We assist guests with last-minute bookings, securing availability, coordinating hotel pickups, and ensuring the tour runs smoothly and stress-free — especially during busy periods when tickets are often sold out. We understand that you may have found lower prices when booking directly with the ferry company. However, our package reflects the added convenience, support, and coordination provided by our team throughout the entire booking process. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope for your understanding. Thank you once again for choosing our service.

Robben island ferry and said

Laura_L, May 2026

This company is a total rip off. They charged us $94 a person and did absolutely nothing we could’ve gone directly to the ferry and been charged $36 for the same service I would never ever recommend it.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. As tour operators, our service is not only the ferry ticket itself, but also assisting guests with last-minute bookings, securing availability, coordinating hotel pickups, and making the tour happen smoothly and stress-free, especially during busy periods when tickets are often sold out. We understand that you may have found lower direct ferry prices, however our package includes the convenience and support provided by our team throughout the booking process. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope for your understanding. Thank you for choosing our service.

Robben Island Experience

Arnold_M, Mar 2026

This was a very memorable and educative experience from start to finish. The entire tour experience was very well organised.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the Robben Island tour both memorable and educational, and that everything was well organised from start to finish. Your feedback truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again on another great experience in the future!

First cheaper to buy on...

steve_w, Mar 2026

First cheaper to buy on site. Be aware you are really rushed in a large group. No time to even read, look at additional displays that are between stops while touring prison. Interesting but be aware of the many shortcomings. I wouldn’t recommend unless you really just want to see it

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your feedback. As tour operators, we always do our best to ensure the tour takes place, even for last-minute bookings, by securing ferry tickets and organizing the logistics for our guests. The tour on Robben Island is managed by the official guides, and group sizes and timing are controlled by the museum. We appreciate your comments and are glad you still found the visit interesting. 🌍

The trip was very well...

Dianne_M, Feb 2026

The trip was very well organized from beginning to end. The tour guides were knowledgeable, engaging and thoughtful. It was a very sobering subject but one that everyone should hear about. The tour was very well done and we highly recommend it.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the Robben Island tour well organized from beginning to end and that our guides made the experience engaging and meaningful. It’s truly a powerful and sobering part of history, and we’re honored to help share those important stories in a way that resonates with our guests. Your recommendation means a great deal to us. Thank you again for choosing to tour with us—we hope to welcome you back on another experience in the future!

Enjoyable but ripped off

Christine_L, Feb 2026

The actual trip to Robben Island was good, but there was no opportunity to walk around or take photos of particular buildings such as the little Chapel or church. The first hand accounts of life on the island by ex-prisoners was sobering and thought provoking. However my main concern is how Viator sold this trip. We paid around £96 for this trip (2 adults) but the day before the event the local tour operator demanded a further Rand 1000 because they had bought the wrong tickets! South African citizens pay a lower entrance fee than international visitors. Believing I was being scammed, I checked the official Robben Island website, the difference in fees was Rand 200 per person so I should have only been asked for this additional sum, which I was happy to pay. I challenged the tour operator and got some BS about them having to bulk purchase tickets in advance and having to cover admin costs etc although these were not fully explained. I had no choice other than to pay the additional amount (about £50 equivalent). I would urge others to check terms and conditions when booking and ensure that the correct tickets are being purchased by 3rd party agents on your behalf.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad you found the Robben Island experience meaningful, and we’re sorry for the confusion and frustration caused by the ticketing issue—this is not the standard we aim for. We appreciate your understanding and will use your comments to improve clarity and communication going forward.

Great tour. Very ...

Joe_O, Jan 2026

Great tour. Very informative . Very good ex prisoner descriptions of the hardships endured . Great to see such history with The cell of. Elsie Mandela

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for your kind review. We’re really glad you found the tour informative and meaningful. Hearing firsthand accounts from former prisoners adds a powerful and personal perspective to the hardships endured, and we’re pleased that this resonated with you. Visiting significant spaces such as the cell of Nelson Mandela is always a profound experience, and we’re grateful you took the time to share your thoughts with us.

Excellent tour guide👍👍

Janice_M, Dec 2025

Excellent tour with excellent guide Excellent tour with knowledgeable tour guide. Very enjoyable……..

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Robben Island Guided Tour and that your guide helped make the experience meaningful and memorable. It’s great to know you had such an enjoyable time from start to finish. We truly appreciate you choosing our tour and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!