Robben Island Tour from Cape Town: Pre-Booked Ticket & Transfers
Cape Town, South Africa
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
With this half-day package, getting to Robben Island and back is straightforward. Pickup from your Cape Town accommodation is included, along with admission to the Robben Island Museum. Learn about the life of Nelson Mandela, see his former prison cell, and explore the island’s history—without needing to research logistics—before returning to your accommodation at the end of the trip.
- Visit Robben Island effortlessly with this half-day trip
- Stay connected: Ride in a vehicle with onboard Wi-Fi access
- No need to pay to enter the Robben Island Museum: Entry is included
- Hear in-depth insights from a former political prisoner
What's Included
- Entrance fees to Robben Island
- Air-Conditioned Vehicle with WiFi on Board.
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Pickups/Drop off Are not offered for South African Citizens
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Cape Town (Pass By)
1
Robben Island Museum
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Cape Town (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day
- Round-trip transfer from your hotel ensures a hassle-free trip
- Benefit from the historical insights of your small-group guide
- See the cell that confined Nelson Mandela for 18 years
- For transfers, kindly provide your residential address at least 24 hours prior to your travel date. Please note that we don't accommodate transfer requests for last-minute bookings.
- For South African travellers, please enter the ID number of each adult in the “Special requirements” box when making the booking.
- If you book under the South African Citizens rate, the transfer is not included or applied.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.2
based on 162 reviews
Henry_C, Apr 2026
I've done the tour 5 times and every one has been special and different. Although, on this one, the bus guide was better than the inmate guide -- a rarity. The inmate guide 64/86 (sorry cannot recall his name) seemed rushed --it may have been because our bus guide was late and so the whole tour process was thrown off.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your continued support — completing the tour five times truly means a lot to us. We’re delighted to hear that each visit to Robben Island has been special and unique.
We appreciate your feedback regarding this particular experience. It’s great to hear the bus guide stood out, and we understand your comments about the inmate guide feeling rushed. As the tours are scheduled by the Robben Island Museum, delays can sometimes affect the overall flow of the experience.
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback — it’s truly valued.
Erika_R, Apr 2026
Educational, Eye opinions and evokes emotion. The tour guide on the bus was amazing. He was a great story teller , while keeping the tough facts honest so everyone could understand the different views during different times. The guide on the prison sight had a matter of fact about him, where we left to lead ourselves . Light story telling in the beginning and allowed us to view each area for a few moments on our own.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re pleased to hear that you found the experience educational, eye-opening, and emotionally impactful.
It’s great to know that the bus guide’s storytelling made the history engaging and easy to understand, and that the prison visit at Robben Island allowed you time to reflect at your own pace. The balance of guidance and personal space, through the Robben Island Museum programme, is something many guests value.
Rhonda_T, Apr 2026
Our tour was canceled due to high waves. Probably best to wait & book when you know the ferries are running.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry that your tour to Robben Island was cancelled.
Unfortunately, weather and sea conditions are beyond our control, and the decision to cancel is made with safety as the top priority. We always put the wellbeing of our guests first when conditions are not safe for ferry operations.
We do encourage guests to book in advance, as this allows more flexibility to reschedule in case of weather-related cancellations.
Thank you for your understanding.
Stephen_T, Apr 2026
A sobering experience, but one that everyone should experience. The evils of the past must not be forgotten so that they don't happen again. Our former prisoner guide was outstanding sharing his real life experiences with us.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt review. We’re glad to hear that you found the experience at Robben Island so meaningful.
The stories shared by former prisoners through the Robben Island Museum programme are incredibly powerful, and we’re pleased that it made such an impact on you.
We truly appreciate your perspective and thank you for sharing your experience.
Mark_J, Mar 2026
Very well organised. Informative and deeply moving insight into prison life a Robben island. Our tour guides had first hand knowledge experience of serving time at the prison and meeting Nelson Mandela on several occasions.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour well organised and deeply moving.
Visiting Robben Island and hearing firsthand experiences from former political prisoners through the Robben Island Museum programme offers powerful insight into that important part of history, including stories connected to Nelson Mandela.
We truly appreciate you sharing your experience and hope to welcome you again in Cape Town.
Barbara_B, Mar 2026
The guides arrived promptly and in a lovely SUV . They were very informative and helpful. Would book with them again.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience and that the guides arrived promptly and made the tour informative and enjoyable for you.
Providing comfortable transport and helpful guidance is something we always aim for, so it’s wonderful to know that it made a positive impression.
We truly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you again on another tour in Cape Town.
Tony_O, Mar 2026
Our itinerary established 9:00 as the beginning so we assumed that was our time to meet the guide. Actually 9:00 was the ferry departure time so the guide arrived at our hotel at 8:00!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry for the confusion regarding the timing.
The 9:00 indicated on the itinerary refers to the ferry departure time from Robben Island. To ensure guests arrive at the harbour on time for check-in and boarding procedures set by the Robben Island Museum, collection from hotels is scheduled earlier — in your case at 8:00.
We understand how this could have been misunderstood, and we appreciate you pointing it out. Clear communication is very important to us, and your feedback helps us improve how we present timing details to future guests.
Thank you again for sharing your experience.
Julie_D, Mar 2026
This tour was way overpriced. We paid through Viator approx 2600 rand we realised if we had just gone straight to the ferry landing we would have paid 1200 for exactly the same tour. Not happy with you Viator after many years of using you for tours all over the world. I will be careful on the future. Disappointed. Julie and Graham
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Julie and Graham,
Thank you again for your feedback, and we’re truly sorry that you felt disappointed regarding the pricing.
Kindly note that bookings made through Viator often differ from direct ferry ticket prices at Robben Island. Platform rates may include service fees, booking protection, and coordination support.
In addition, many of our guests contact us last minute when standard tickets are already sold out. Robben Island tickets frequently sell out well in advance, and guests are often unable to secure them directly through the official system. In such cases, they reach out to us for assistance in sourcing and securing availability, as well as arranging transfers and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
As a local operator in Cape Town, our role is to manage and coordinate the experience, while pricing structures and commissions on third-party platforms are determined by those platforms.
We genuinely appreciate your honesty and your long history of travel. Your feedback is important to us, and we hope that despite this concern, the overall experience was still meaningful.
Rzazzle, Feb 2026
A very moving experience. The two guides we had were equally fantastic. Both were ex-prisoners on Robben Island and conveyed very powerfully the conditions (and tortures) they endured at the hands of white colonial powers. I am so glad we did the tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review. We’re truly glad to hear that the experience was so meaningful for you.
A visit to Robben Island is deeply moving, and hearing directly from former political prisoners through the programme led by the Robben Island Museum brings powerful authenticity to the tour. Their courage in sharing personal experiences helps visitors better understand the realities of that period in history and the strength it took to endure it.
We’re so pleased that you chose to do the tour and that it left such a lasting impression. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this important experience during your time in Cape Town.
Gerry_C, Feb 2026
An historic time in SA’s history and a trip to Robben Island shouldn’t be missed, make sure it’s on your itinerary.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
We couldn’t agree more visiting Robben Island is a deeply meaningful experience and an important part of understanding South Africa’s history. It’s a place that leaves a lasting impression on many of our guests.
We’re delighted to hear that you would recommend including it on the itinerary, and we’re grateful that you chose us to be part of your journey.
We hope to welcome you back to Cape Town again soon.
Leeanne_R, Feb 2026
We loved all the information given to us about the history of the island. However we found the buses to be to jammed and the group too big
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed learning about the history of the island. We’re sorry to hear that the buses felt crowded and the group size was larger than expected. Your comments are appreciated and will be shared with the relevant teams as we continue working to improve the overall guest experience.
Michelle_C, Feb 2026
Very good and very informative the tour was well organized. Anyone that hasn’t done this tour is a must
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour very informative and well organized. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are glad you had a great experience.
John_D, Jan 2026
The Robben Island tour was easy to book online, and included round-trip transport between our hotel and the ferry terminal (Nelson Mandela Gateway) near the Clocktower.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad to hear that the Robben Island tour was easy to book and that the round-trip transport between your hotel and the Nelson Mandela Gateway made the experience convenient and stress-free.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to assist you again on your next visit to Cape Town.
Carlos_V, Jan 2026
It was intrest and verry nice. The personul was friendly a good trip for Hallyday.
Greetz from the netherlands
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear that you found the trip interesting and very enjoyable, and that our team was friendly. It’s wonderful to know you had a great holiday experience with us.
Greetings to you as well from Cape Town, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future! 🇳🇱✨
Gizelda_R, Jan 2026
The tour was delayed by 30 minutes at start, we visited Robben Island and when we departed from Robben Island, we had to wait for almost 2 hours in the boat for it to depart. There was no communication as to why we had to wait. We also didn't have any water or food with us, which made for an unpleasant ending to our trip. We were travelling with family, which included my 4yr old daughter.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We sincerely apologize for the delays you encountered and for the inconvenience this caused, especially while traveling with your family and young child.
Please note that Robben Island Museum tours are weather dependent, and delays can occur due to sea and safety conditions. In most cases, the museum does communicate updates to guests regarding waiting times and estimated departure or arrival times. We’re sorry that this information was not clearly communicated on your return journey, as we understand how important this is for guest comfort and planning.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be shared with the relevant teams to help improve communication in similar situations in the future.
Nsereko_E, Jan 2026
Fine enough so I can tell someone to come but they should be dressed for the heat and ready to walk around
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you found the experience worthwhile. That’s a great tip as well — we always recommend wearing light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and being prepared for the heat, as there is some walking involved during the tour. We appreciate you sharing this with future visitors.
Lefu_B, Dec 2025
Surprised we ha have to wait again for our tickets please next time if you guys can send them on time
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback, and we sincerely apologize for the delay in sending your tickets. We experienced a system issue where some international adults were incorrectly picked up under the wrong guest category, which caused the delay in final ticket issuance. Once this was corrected, the tickets were released immediately.
We understand your concern and truly appreciate your patience. Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve our systems and communication going forward. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Anonymous, Dec 2025
Interesting history but organized chaos. Plan on sitting on a bus for 45 minutes after arriving on Robbens Island. It was also 30-45 minute wait for a ferry back. Herding cows both directions.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
Most delays are usually due to sea conditions, as ferry operations are highly dependent on weather and safety requirements. Regarding the bus ride, this is a core part of the Robben Island tour and is designed to take guests around the island to visit the main historical and touristic sites.
We appreciate your understanding and your comments, and we’re glad you found the history of the island meaningful despite the logistical challenges.
Lorraine_H, Nov 2025
This was a mixed trip. The tour guide mixed up the start times and did not respond to my messages. I had to call Viator to get them to do anything. You can do this tour without a guide. All they did is pick us up and drop us off and buy the ticket. The tickets are readily available on line. The tour is interesting but depressing. The guide was an ex prisoner and that was interesting. He was mixed as a guide and did not give history of Mandela. It is really a prison tour not a history of Mandellas stay. I would have skipped it if I had known what it was.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Lorraine,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry for the inconvenience you experienced — the issue was due to your last-minute reschedule, and we did our best to assist with the updated time.
Robben Island is one of the most meaningful and historical tours for many visitors. The former prisoners who guide the experience share their personal stories, which can be emotional but truly authentic. Please note that tickets often sell out quickly, especially during peak season.
We appreciate your understanding and your feedback helps us improve our service.
Warm regards,
Ivan
Clarence_A, Oct 2025
This tour is an incredibly moving experience. It’s starts with a personal pickup at your hotel. Then a ferry boat over to the island. The tour is largely guided, by bus and then on foot. There is an option to walk around on your own. Then reverse trip to return to hotel.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Clarence,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you found the Robben Island Tour to be such a moving and meaningful experience. Our goal is always to provide smooth, comfortable transfers and a well-organized visit so our guests can fully focus on the history and significance of the island.
We truly appreciate you choosing HYM Cape Tours, and we hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable Cape Town experience!
Kind regards,
HYM Cape Tours Team
junegamber, Oct 2025
Booking was accepted & payment taken - then cancelled less than 2 hours later. Payment took 4 days to be refunded. No further availability during our break.
Booked easily with alternate provider
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear June,
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you experienced. Unfortunately, there was an error within our ticketing system that caused several client names to be mixed up, which affected ticket access. The issue has since been fully resolved, and we assure you it will not happen again.
Please note that we offered two options at the time — to reschedule your tour for the following day, since your original booking was for 3:00 PM (the last departure of the day), or to receive a full refund. You initially rescheduled for the 10th of October but later informed us that you had mixed up your travel dates and that the 9th was your only available day, as it was your last day in Cape Town. You therefore chose the refund option.
We truly apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Kind regards,
HYM Cape Tours Team
Merlee_J, Oct 2025
The actual tour with a political prisoner as the guide was the highlight of this tour. The downer? it was a big group with some rowdy tourists that takes away the solemness of the place.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
We’re so glad to hear that the tour with a former political prisoner was a highlight — it truly offers a powerful and moving perspective on our shared history. We’re sorry to hear that some group members affected the atmosphere during your visit. While group sizes are managed by the Robben Island Museum, we always strive to ensure our guests have a respectful and meaningful experience. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another, more peaceful tour in the future.
Mwangi_K, Oct 2025
Disappointed.
Poor communication.
Unprofessional
Tour cancelled by you at the point of boarding the boat.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your message. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you experienced. Unfortunately, there was a temporary error within our ticketing system which caused some of the names on the tickets to be mixed up. As a result, several clients were unable to access their tickets correctly.
We have since resolved the issue and can assure you that it will not happen again. We truly regret any frustration and disappointment this may have caused, and we appreciate your understanding and patience while we worked to correct the problem.
Sunitha_K, Oct 2025
This tour was very well coordinated in spite of its size which was about 200 people.
It had hotel pick up and drop off and getting on and off the ferry was easy. The tour at Robben Island was very informative, part of it was conducted by a former prisoner which gave us an insight into their experiences. The other part of the tour was done by a local guide who was very engaging. This tour was overall well organized and must do!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Robben Island experience and found the tour well organized. It’s always special to learn about South Africa’s history through the stories of former prisoners and local guides who bring it to life. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation — we hope to welcome you on another Cape Town adventure soon!
Warm regards,
HYM Cape Tours
Adrienne_L, Sep 2025
Sobering experience. Important information on how prisoners were treated, their conditions. Part of tour coverenced by a previous political prisoner.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Adrienne,
Thank you for sharing your review. We’re glad to hear you found the Robben Island experience meaningful. It truly is a sobering reminder of our history, and having part of the tour guided by a former political prisoner makes it especially powerful and personal. We appreciate you taking the time to reflect on this important visit and hope the rest of your time in Cape Town was equally memorable.
Theo_H, Sep 2025
Very, very good! Well organized. The Tour Guides were exceptional. Nostalgic. The prison is well preserved. Spectacular views
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Theo,
Very, very good! Well organized. The Tour Guides were exceptional. Nostalgic. The prison is well preserved. Spectacular views
Lyle_D, Sep 2025
The ferry ride out was extremely rough and cold that set the stage for such dark place in the worlds history. Our tour guide was a political prisoner from 79 to 84, his first hand knowledge was engaging and very informative.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Lyle, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad to hear that, despite the rough ferry ride, you found the tour so meaningful and informative. Having a former political prisoner as your guide truly brings the history of Robben Island to life in a powerful and authentic way. We’re pleased you had the opportunity to gain such valuable insight into this important part of South Africa’s history.
lori_v, May 2025
Very good. But seems that office had incorrect hotel for my pickup in morning causing our pickup to be 30 minutes late. This happened on two of our Viator tours . I would recommend that drivers get latest booking information prior to pickup
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Lori,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We apologize for the 30-minute delay caused by the incorrect hotel information. Although we received the updated address 30 minutes prior to travel, it seems the communication breakdown affected our pickup time. We appreciate your recommendation and will implement a more efficient system to ensure drivers receive the latest booking details, preventing such delays in the future. Thanks for your feedback!
Roman_K, Apr 2025
It was very educative experience and the boat trip was great too. The tour in general was organised very well.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Roman,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you found the experience educative and enjoyed the boat trip. We appreciate your kind words about our organization and strive to provide well-planned tours for all our guests.
Jeffrey_M, Mar 2025
Interesting, informative, and moving. Top notch guides, including actual former prisoners at Robben Island, walk you through the complete history of this place that once held Nelson Mandela for 18 of his 27 years in prison. Truly a worthwhile experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Jeffrey,
I'm thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience on Robben Island! Our guides, especially the former prisoners, truly bring the history of the island to life.
I'm glad you found the tour informative, moving, and worthwhile. It's a truly unique experience, and we're happy to have been a part of it.
Thank you for sharing your feedback!
From $57.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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