Half-Day Tour to Robben Island with Reserved Tickets

Cape Town, South Africa

4 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Offered in: English

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Overview

This half-day tour offers an efficient way to experience the key highlights of Robben Island. Meet a former political prisoner and explore the island with first-hand insight that you’d miss if visiting independently. With a prebooked time slot on your chosen date, entry to the Robben Island Museum is guaranteed so you can focus on the experience rather than waiting in long ticket lines.

Time-saving way to see the best of Robben Island in half a day
Learn fascinating historical insights about the island from your guide
Special opportunity to visit Nelson Mandela’s former cell
No getting lost: A guide shows you around

What's Included

Entry/Admission to Robben Island.

Transfers between the V&A Waterfront & your Accommodation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island
V&A Waterfront, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Near Clock Tower Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Central, 7400, South Africa.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Robben Island Museum

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate

Your tickets will be sent via email, iMessage, or WhatsApp, so please make sure you include all the necessary information, including the correct country code and mobile number.
We would need the full names and ID numbers of all South Africans booking with us
Additionally, please be aware that you will be traveling with other people on the boat trip, guided bus, and land tour; this is not a private tour. You will still have to wait in line to board the ferry boat, but you will avoid the ticketing line. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in this tour. The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is where the tour begins and ends.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 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

4.3

based on 41 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Cancelled last minute.

Hope_J, Feb 2026

We woke up early and drove 2 hours through traffic for the 9:00 am (8:30am boarding) tour. They called me 15 minutes before we were supposed to meet to cancel. Although it was cancelled due to the rough seas, I am pretty sure that they could have called much sooner.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your feedback. In Cape Town, weather conditions especially sea conditions can change very quickly and without much notice. Decisions regarding departures are made based on the most up-to-date safety assessments from the authorities and the ferry operators. Unfortunately, in some cases, confirmation of cancellation is only received shortly before boarding time. We completely understand how disappointing and frustrating this must have been, especially after waking up early and travelling such a long distance. Please know that cancellations due to rough seas are beyond our control, and the safety of our guests will always be our first priority. We truly apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.

Robben Island half day

Mark_L, Dec 2025

Ticket system should not be trusted - we booked for 30th December and on the day as requested we downloaded out tickets to find they had booked 9th March / then had to sit for 40 mins whilst they sorted it out!! Robben island is amazing and the guides are amazing but the whole thing is far too rushed and disorganised - not worth £50 per head

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the ticket issue. There was an unexpected system error that resulted in the incorrect date appearing on your tickets. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially on the day of the tour. We’re glad to confirm that the matter was eventually sorted out, and we truly appreciate your patience while this was being resolved. We’re also pleased to hear that you found Robben Island and the guides amazing, as their insight and storytelling are a vital part of the experience. Your feedback regarding the pace and organization of the tour has been noted and will be shared with the relevant teams for improvement. Thank you again for your honest feedback—it helps us work toward a better experience for future guests.

Don’t book this, didn’t show up!

Nicola_P, Dec 2025

Didn’t show up so had to re purchase tickets from the tickets office. No communication from them so will be chasing a refund from viator.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify that there was a temporary system issue on the day; however, our guide was present at the meeting point to assist you, and the matter was resolved on-site. You were able to proceed with and complete the tour as scheduled. After completing the tour, a refund was requested, which was unfortunately not approved, as the service was delivered in full. We always aim to support our guests as best as possible, and we regret any frustration caused, but refunds cannot be issued once the tour has been successfully completed. Thank you for your understanding.

Informational and it was...

Hillary_M, Dec 2025

Informational and it was sad to hear. Good opportunity to learn about and important part in history.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad you found the tour informative, even though the history is understandably emotional. Robben Island represents an important part of our past, and we appreciate you taking the time to learn about it with us.

Robben Island's history will bruise your soul

Linda_K, Nov 2025

Robben Island is an experience not to be missed while in Capetown. You will definitely be given a lesson in reslience of the human spirit by those who have endured unimaginable conditions and treatment. Thank you Max for sharing your story and helping us to understand the history of Robben Island.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Robben Island truly offers a powerful and moving journey into South Africa’s history, and we’re delighted to hear that Max’s story made such an impact. His insight and firsthand knowledge bring incredible meaning to the visit. We’re grateful you chose to explore this important heritage site with us, and we hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Cape Town.

Not worth the extra cost — avoid booking here

Nuno_F, Apr 2025

I strongly advise against purchasing this tour through this provider. They charge nearly three times the price of the standard Robben Island ticket, yet offer no added value in return. There’s no personalized experience, no smaller group, and no guided service beyond what is already included in the official tour. In reality, they are simply reselling the ticket you could easily book yourself via the official Robben Island website — at a fraction of the cost. Save your money and book directly. Don’t fall for this overpriced listing.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Dear Nuno, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our Robben Island tour. We appreciate your feedback and would like to address some of the points you've raised. Firstly, we encourage all our guests to carefully read the tour description before booking, as it clearly states that our tour is a shared experience, not a private one. This allows us to keep costs manageable while still providing a unique and authentic experience. Regarding the guides, we're proud to use former prisoners as guides, which adds a depth and authenticity to the tour that many of our guests find invaluable. This is a key aspect of our tour that sets us apart from the standard Robben Island ticket. While we understand that our pricing may be higher than booking directly through the official Robben Island website, we believe that the value-added experience we provide justifies the cost. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that our guests have a memorable and impactful experience. We appreciate your advice to potential customers, but we stand by the quality and uniqueness of our tour offering.

Excellent

Jane_J, Mar 2025

This was a very touching tour giving a first hand account of the hardship for the political prisoners of Robben Island. The presenter gave a first hand account of his time on the island a a factual presentation allowing time for questions from all ages. I highly recommend this tour to kids and adults of all ages.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear Jane, It sounds like you had a profoundly moving and educational experience on the Robben Island tour. Firsthand accounts from former political prisoners provide invaluable insight into the struggles and resilience of those who were incarcerated there, making history come alive in a deeply personal way. The fact that the presenter tailored the tour to engage visitors of all ages is especially commendable—it ensures that younger generations also understand this critical chapter in history. Robben Island serves as a powerful reminder of the fight for justice and equality, and tours like this help keep its lessons alive. Thank you for sharing your recommendation! It’s a meaningful way to honor the past while educating future generations. Would you say there was a particular moment or story that stood out to you the most?

Well worth a visit

Julie_K, Mar 2025

A calm 35 minute cataman ride to the island. We were assigned buses for 45 minute guided bus tour around the island with a stop off at a cafe. Guide was clear. We were dropped off at the prision where our tour with ex prision mate Jama, a very unassuming and quiet man talked about life in the prision for his 5 years there. If it was not for people like him ( who lead a protest) things would not change. A true hero. It must be bitter sweet talking about something that robbed you of some freedom

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear Julie, Wow, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on the Robben Island tour! We’re really glad you had such a meaningful experience—especially hearing Jama’s powerful story firsthand. It’s pretty humbling to hear from someone who lived through that history, isn’t it? We’re stoked that you enjoyed the boat ride, the bus tour, and the whole vibe of the day. And you’re totally right—people like Jama are the real heroes who made change possible. We’ll definitely let him and the team know how much his story resonated with you. Thanks again for joining us and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. Hope to see you on another adventure soon!

Book direct. Avoid Viator

Rosemary_M, Jan 2025

At reception in Robben Island I realised I had been hugely overcharged by Viator. The ferry was late and took one hour. The first part on the bus was not good. The PA system was poor, the content poor. Meeting the man in the prison who knew Mandela was memorable. He was a wonderful man.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Dear Rosemary, Thank you for sharing your review about your recent Robben Island tour. We apologize that you felt overcharged for the experience. However, we'd like to highlight that booking with us through Viator can provide a hassle-free experience, especially during peak seasons when tickets tend to sell out quickly. We strive to ensure that our clients have a confirmed spot, even when demand is high. We'll take your feedback about the ferry and bus tour into consideration to improve our services.