Robben Island Tour from Cape Town: Pre-Booked Ticket & Transfers
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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
4.3
based on 206 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
This tour was worth it. My ticket was sent to me via WhatsApp the night before. My driver Massai picked me up and walked me right up to the area where you board the ferry. Robben Island itself is a good, informative tour. You should know some of South Africa’s history before going in order to better understand the political situation and subsequent pain that the tour guides endured. Overall it was a good visit!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted that the timely ticket delivery and Massai’s attentive service made your visit smooth and convenient. We’re glad you found the Robben Island tour informative and meaningful!
We had 2 guides during this excursion. The second guide talked so long that by the time he was done we had only 10 mins to walk around and take pictures before we had to get back on the ferry
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry that the extended commentary left you with limited time to explore and take photos. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration.
Such a moving tour. Our guide Max was incredible and helped us to understand what life at Robben Island had been like for him. The most engaging tour guide I have had.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing such meaningful feedback. We’re delighted that Max made the Robben Island experience so engaging and personal by sharing his firsthand perspective. Hearing directly from someone who experienced life there brings a powerful depth to the history, and we’re glad the tour left such a lasting impression.
Interesting trip and very efficiently organised. The tour guides were both knowledgeable and friendly
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour interesting and well organised, and that our guides were knowledgeable and friendly.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon.
If this isn’t on your list when visiting Cape Town, add it!
To have the history of the island told to you by those who lived it is an experience I won’t soon forget.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted that your visit to Robben Island was such a memorable experience. Hearing the island’s history directly from those who lived through it truly makes the visit unique and powerful.
Thank you for recommending this experience to other visitors to Cape Town.
Very informative tour and very important to understand the history and impact on South Africa. You must get to the ferry early as it gets crowded. Unless you sign up for the walking tour you will be on a bus and stop at certain places around the prison. Our bus guide was informative and our guide in the building was a former inmate who spoke about his experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you found your visit to Robben Island informative and meaningful.
We're pleased that the knowledgeable guides, especially the former political prisoner sharing his personal experiences, helped bring South Africa's history to life. Thank you for choosing HYM Cape Tours, and we hope to welcome you back again soon.
Very interesting. Weather was perfect for crossing. Learn about Robbens island before it was a prison and the importance the prisoners placed on education.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you had perfect weather for the crossing and found the tour interesting.
It’s wonderful that you enjoyed learning about Robben Island’s wider history and the importance prisoners placed on education.
I have used Viator all over the world, but this was the first time our pickup driver did not show up at the agreed upon time. Fortunately, our One & Only hotel provided a complimentary ride to the dock so we could make our scheduled ferry. The Viator contact also led me to believe there was a cafe on Robben Island where we could buy food. This was not true. The island only sold coffee, Pringles and Coke. If I had known this, I would have packed a lunch.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience regarding the pickup. Your pickup was scheduled within the window of 08:00 AM to 08:15 AM, and unfortunately our guide arrived at 08:14 AM and found that you had already left for the ferry terminal. We are grateful that your hotel was able to assist you in reaching the dock in time for your tour.
Regarding refreshments on the island, we apologise if our communication created different expectations. Robben Island offers limited refreshments, typically including coffee, soft drinks, chips such as Pringles, and a small selection of snacks. We understand your disappointment and appreciate your suggestion regarding food options.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we appreciate your understanding.
It is an interesting part of history to hear. The unnecessary stops on a bus that was full impacted on the time we had in the jail which should have been the focus of the tour. We had 30 minutes which was rushed and did not get the opportunity to take in what was around us. Whilst the guides were terrific and provided a real and honest account of life while incarcerated there was not enough time to engage with them. Stopping for food when we first got there took 30 minutes of our time away from the jail and then we had to wait until other groups finished their section. Pretty disappointing however the guides were great. They should reconsider their timing with so many tourists undertaking the tour at the same time
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you found the history meaningful and that the guides provided a real and honest account of life at Robben Island.
We’re sorry to hear that the timing of the tour impacted your experience, particularly the limited time in the prison section. Due to operational schedules and the number of visitors managed by the Robben Island Museum, certain stops and timings are structured, but we understand how this may feel rushed and affect the overall experience.
Your feedback regarding time allocation and stops is very valuable, and we will ensure it is shared with the relevant team for review.
Thank you again for sharing your experience.
The trip to Robben island is a must in Cape Town. To hear a personal account out their time on the island by an ex prisoner is remarkable. The location is stunning but what lies beneath the stories, the hardship, inhumane treatment is heartbreaking. The grounds are well kept and to see Nelson Mandela's cell amongst it all was sobering. " There is only one race, the human race" Robert Sobukwe
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful and powerful review. We’re truly pleased to hear that your visit to Robben Island was such a meaningful experience.
Hearing firsthand accounts from former prisoners through the Robben Island Museum programme brings a deep and personal understanding of the history, and we’re glad it left such a strong impression on you.
Your reflection captures both the beauty and the profound significance of the island thank you for sharing it.
You can learn all about the history on line bc the bus tour guides tell you nothing of importance !!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Joe,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We’re sorry to hear that this part of your experience did not meet your expectations. The bus tour on the island is guided by a former inmate, and this is an important part of the museum’s initiative. These guides share their personal experiences of what they went through during the struggle period, offering a firsthand account rather than a scripted or online version of history.
The intention is to preserve and share these stories authentically, allowing visitors to hear directly from individuals who lived through that time. Many of our guests find this to be one of the most meaningful and impactful parts of the tour, as it provides a deeper and more personal understanding of the island’s history.
That said, we do understand that every guest experiences the tour differently, and we appreciate your feedback.
Kind regards,
HYM Cape Tours
Customer Support Team
Cape Town, South Africa
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! 🇳🇱✨
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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