Robben Island Tour with interesting stops in Mandela footsteps
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cape Town, South Africa
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Tours to Robben Island typically sell out early every day. Ensure your visit by booking this early-morning guided tour that transfers you from your hotel to the Robben Island Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and then onto the boat to the island.
- Guarantee your trip to Robben Island by pre-booking
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your hotel
- Admission fee and bus tour of Robben Island included
- Hear stories from a former prisoner on the island
What's Included
- Transfer to Nelson Mandela Gateway * From City Centre Hotels/ Sea Point Hotels*
- Robben Island ticket included
- Refreshing Bottled water
- Stops at famous spots in the City pre or post Robben Island
- Return trip back to hotel
- light lunch included
- Gratuity for guide * Optional *
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pickup from All City Centre hotels and Sea Point hotels depending on the boat we may pickup from 15 to 40 minutes We will advise our valued guests what time is pickup day prior to tour. The Robben Island ticket will be given to guests when guide meet at hotel. Please bring your ID for the boat as they compare your name to the ticket.
Itinerary
1
Robben Island Museum
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Sea Point
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Cape Town Central
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Please note supplier may change boat schedules there for we will initially confirm your booking depending on availability Times may differ of pickup we will send a note to advise best time available which boat time we can confirm thank you
- 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
Reviews
4.8
based on 116 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Daniel_J, Sep 2025
Amazing historic site with the guide being a former political prisoner. We loved it, thank you. Would definitely recommend for anyone travelling to Cape Town.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Daniel, Many thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to review the tour, we appreciate it very much.
You have a heart of gold, thanks for your kindness we wish you and your family all the best for the future. With warmest regards. Jameel
MariaElizabeth_R, Nov 2023
Faziela it’s incredible. Kind and approachable, she is the type of guide you want for any experience in Cape Town.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Awww Maria u were the 😎 cool one. Very beautiful in and out side. Wishing you all the very best for your future
Hope you enjoying your new flat! 😍 with much love and gratitude
faz
Martina_B, Oct 2023
Faziela went out of her way to exchange my ticket for another day when the ferries couldn't go due to poor weather and everything got overbooked. She drove me around the city to see some other sights, saving the day with her experience, stories to tell and her high spirits. I had an amazing day with an amazing guide. Thank you so much!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Martina! how lovely to read your words. Seems like all Martina's are amazing! You were similar to Martina from Austria, very kind, warm hearted and down to earth, easy to be with like a friend. I hope you remember my words... Wishing you well as you are beautiful outside and inside. Many thanks for taking time out to review us, it is truly appreciated. With thanks and Gratitude. Faziela.
Ian_W, Oct 2023
Visiting the famous prison and meeting an actual political prisoner who was gaoled there. Both guides on Robben Island were very powerful.
Faziela went out of her way to try to resolve some of the problems I encountered in Cape Town. Full marks and thanks to her for all her help.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hello Ian, I'm glad to hear you are safe home. Indeed the guides share their amazing stories albeit sad. Everyone definitely should visit Robben Island if they are interested in SA history. It waa a pleasure to help you. Let me take this opportumity to share some some safety tips as per our Cape Town Tourism given to all guests.
1. Please do not give any money to beggars in tbe street.
2. Do not draw money at ATM on the streets, cards are widely accepted.
3. Do not pay anyone who say there is a protests ahead or you need to pay for street taxes
4. Dd not walk alone at night
5.Safety in SA is as per any City of the World.
Many thanks we appreciate you booking our tour
Wishing you health and goodness always. Faz
Scott_E, Sep 2023
I would highly recommend Faziela and her son Shyaibab at ML Sultan Travel. They are kind, funny, and very informative. They went above and beyond on the tour. Sincerely Scott Warren-USA
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Hello there Scott. It was indeed an absolute pleasure to spend the day with your kind self. Hah! you surprised me with your prompt review, I thought you said theres so much to do, birdwatching, meditating, just chilling and enjoying your retirement! I hope you will remember the mad dash we had to the noon gun and the shortest visit ever to Table Mountain! *_* Wishing you safe travels to the mountains in the East... Hope you get to go. With lots of thanks once again.. We appreciate you very much. Faziela and Shuaib.
Jose_L, Jul 2023
Great time with the group and the tour. Would do it again next time we are in Capetown. Love the before sight seeing
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hi Jose Lopez! and here i thought u were Jen's BRO!. Many many thanks for your 5 amazing stars. I owe u the post tour and im sorry you had to rush off to the airport as u were soooo humurous we look forward to meeting up next time Faz!
Rebecca_P, Dec 2022
Amazing trip with a former prisoner as a guide. Thoroughly recommend this trip to learn the history.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hi Rebeccq
Many thanks for your 5 stars. We are glad ti hear that you learnt a lot, hooe you have a great fzstive time with your fanily. Keep warm.
Yolanda_H, Oct 2022
OMG! This tour made my 12-day vacation to S. Africa worth it. Our tour guide, Faziela, was absolutely amazing. She took us EVERYWHERE and educated us on EVERYTHING! She covered every topic, answered every question, took us places we had no knowledge of that was crucial to the whole experience of Nelson Mandela and what apartheid really meant to everyone. Faziela was so invested in making sure we got everything we wanted out of the tour and more that by the end of the day, we were certain, that we had a complete experience of what it felt like to go through Apartheid and what Nelson Mandela experienced. Take this tour and ask for Faziela to be your guide. You will NOT regret it. It is well worth it.
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Ahhhh Yolanda you are too sweet! Many thanks for taking time out of your schedule to review us. We are so thankful to you for booking our tour. Both you and Ms Bethany were just so amazing souls! I had great fun spending time with you guys and I'm so happy to hear you've enjoyed the tour. Hope to see your family in the near future. Enjoy your Young Retirement! i take my hat off to you! All my best.
Ursula_R, Jul 2022
I highly recommend this tour with Faziela. She picked us up at our hotel and helped us move our luggages to our next hotel. She had our tickets for Robbens Island ready and stayed with us until we boarded our ship. She was waiting for us when we got back from the island. She took us on a city tour & to many other places: to a great coffee house (with gigantic burgers & great coffee), to view an artist's creations with recycled material, to the park to take pictures with the eyeglasses made to represent Mandela. She told us funny stories and got us to places to take other great pictures. We really enjoyed our time with Faz.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Ursula,goodness! You took time out of your busy schedule to write to fellow travellers about our tour, such kind words my cheeks are red! (*_*) blushing
It was indeed a great pleasure to be in your company, about the lunch it was on your own account so i cannot take the credit for that.. i do hope you enjoyed your leisure time and that you well rested now.
All our best wishes to you and your family, stay as sweet always, much gratitude for your kindness too,
Be blessed
Yasmina_N, Jun 2022
Faz is the best. She truly loves her city and her country. It showed throughout the tour. She gave an amazing tour of Downtown Cape Town and the surrounding area. After we toured for 2 hours, she dropped us off at Robben Island. She was waiting for us when the tour was over. We had lunch and then off to get souvenirs. A great way to spend a few hours. Wish we had more time.
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Hello there Yasmina, many thanks for your rave review! we love reading our reviews as we are happy when our amazing customers are happy. You guys were truly great listeners indeed, time flies when you're having fun.
You will always be in my prayers as you have a heart of gold. Best wishes and much love to both.
Saskia_A, Feb 2022
Amazing experience!
Faz was extremely knowledgeable and friendly and I came away with lots of new information.
I would 100% recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Hello there Saskia
You are too awesome yourself! We thank you for your amazing 5stars and we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us. We wish you all the success with your designing endeavours. Warmest Regards
William_G, Jan 2022
The sailing was canceled due to weather but your Guide Faiz arranged another departure for us, and came back and collected us the next day.
No stress Not hassle just the way you want 5 stars to her.
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Hi WG, many thanks for your 5 stars, you forgot to color in the last of the 5 stars, hahahaha we appreciate it.
Was great to be in your company! Hope you enjoying your time in our beautiful country.
Best wishes.
Tracey_T, Oct 2021
Fantastic tour! Highly recommended!
We saw The Long March to Freedom, a recently-opened outdoor collection of bronze statues commemorating important people in the country’s history. A crash course in South African history, and a perfect set-up to visit…
Robben Island, the prison-island off the coast. Half the tour takes you through a prison block - where your guide is a former political prisoner from the apartheid era. The second half is a bus tour of island highlights - the infamous lime quarry, an Anglican church, and a church where the island’s current residents worship.
Response from Host, Oct 2021
Hello Mrs Tracey T
We happy to hear you’ve enjoyed your tour.
Many thanks for your 5 ⭐️ rating it really means a lot to us.
You have been such a amazing listener and an awesome patient guest it was great to be in your company. May you have a safe and exciting journey ahead of you, we look forward to meeting up again in the near future. Our wish for you is health and happiness and may you be rewarded with abundance for your kind gesture (*-*)
Warmest regards
Faziela
Thom_W, Apr 2020
The trip was canceled due to weather then cancelled again because of COVID19. They were very responsive and quick to refund the payment.
Response from Host, Apr 2020
Hi Thom how kind of u to give us such a beautiful review in this trying times
We hope you and your family and every human on earth be safe from this harmful virus that is our fervent wish for all ncluding for us!
Best wishes and we hope to meet me the next time
Faziela
John_M, Mar 2020
We can not speak highly enough of Faziel. Her historical knowledge and passion combined with a true desire to provide clients with an extraordinary experience meant we had an amazing, inciteful tour of the city, before and after the drop off for Robben Island which in itself was fantastic. A day full of experiences that we will never forget. She really did go the extra mile for which we will be eternally grateful.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
John and Ros, you are just too kind! During this trying times, I hope you both keep well and be safe!
It was great to be in your company and to take you around. You are both amazing souls, it was a great honour to be in your company. Thank you for your kindness, it was really appreciated. All the best is wished for you .
Sandra_S, Mar 2020
Great experience to a iconic place.
Reflection you can easily do it yourself but was nice being picked up from your hotel and fast tracked onto the boat.
The guides on the island do the tour on the island not Viator.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Hello Sandra, hope you're well. Thanks for scoring us a 4 as it's almost a 5 :)
Viator does not do any tours in any City, as Viator is the booking portal and have Suppliers like ourselves to operate the tours.
Yes of course everyone can go to Robben Island and book themselves getting tickets, but they will not meet our fabulous guides & be taken to famous spots in Cape Town! :) with return transfers
Best Regards
Tahir_M, Feb 2020
Excellent tour. Good pick up and drop off to hotel . The guide who picked us up was great and jovial. The ex prisoner who showed us around the cells was superb. A must tour
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Awww thank you so much Tahir and Yas
Wish you well with the healthy diet!
All that is great is wished for u
We appreciate your fabulous five stars! Thank you for booking our tour
Elizabeth_P, Feb 2020
Efficient on time collection from hotel. Extra tour of parts of the city provided while awaiting confirmation of whether trip to Robben Island would be cancelled due to fog. Fog issue handled very effectively and helpful steerage through registration process for trip
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Thanks Liz for your review, we appreciate it very much.
Glad we could be of help!
Best Regards
richardheather312, Feb 2020
Fantastic experience. I have now visited 2 Prisons in 2 different continents.
Alcatraz in San Francisco 10 years ago and Robbin Island yesterday.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Hey Richard, how awesome is that! 2 famous prisons of the world, next one on your list should be Chateau d'lf it's an escape proof prison! ;)
We love that you gave us a famous five review many many thanks, it is so appreciated.
Have a fabulous remainder holiday in the Mother City.
All our best.
Bbegany, Jan 2020
We were picked up from our hotel by Fazilla who was our guide to show us around the city. Afterward she took us to the pier to catch the boat to Robben Island. After our tour of the island Fazilla was waiting for us on the dock to return us to our hotel.
The tickets were provided for the island so we didn’t have to wait in line to buy the tickets. Our guide also gave us large bottles of water to take to the island.
Response from Host, Jan 2020
Hello Bonnie and Alan, it was really great to be in your company. You were awesome customers and have a great and generous heart. :) God Bless you with health and happiness always. Many thanks for booking our tour we appreciate you and thanks also for your kind review. it means a lot!
Mark_W, Jan 2020
Went on this having seen the reviews online and wasn't disappointed. Faz was an excellent guide and provided a real personal touch to the whole day
Response from Host, Jan 2020
what can we say.. you warm our hearts! Thank you for taking time out to write your fantastic review, we are grateful to you and we wish you the best of health, may all of your dreams and wishes come true. Be safe!
Michelle_C, Jan 2020
Awesome tour , excellent, patient, and knowledgeable guide. Fawa was as exceptional and very helpful.
Response from Host, Jan 2020
Hey Mich, lovely to have met you. It's a pleasure to have been of assistance to you. I hope you get extra legroom seats and that your knee will heal soon! Best wishes and many thanks for your awesome review, we appreciate it very much! :) xx
Claire_L, Jan 2020
A bit stressful getting confirmation of puck up as day before tour was NYDay but host was very knowledgeable and warm and made it a great day to remember with lots of added information and picture opportunities thanks so much
Response from Host, Jan 2020
Hi Claire, we're so sorry for not being able to send the timings to you. We happy that we could eventually let you know the time the night before! :) it was awesome and really nice to meet you and your family. Many thanks for taking time out to review us great, we really really appreciate your 5 stars! xx
Paul_K, Nov 2019
From hotel pickup our guide Fazz was genuinely kind and informative
The guides on robben island were well informed and excellent
excellent
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Hello Paul, Many thanks for taking time out to review our tour :) you must stay the romantic person to your most beautiful Gill.(*_*) and don't let the flame die.
It was lovely to be with you guys.
All the best is wished for you both.
Bernard_D, Nov 2019
We had a wonderful time at Robben Island. Our tour operator was exquisite! She even went out of her way to bring us to the best coffee place in the world.
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Hiya Bernard and Cindy :) you are such amazing customers, we are so lucky to have met you both!
It was great to be in your company, We wish you happiness and all the best in your life!
Thank you for an awesome review, we do appreciate you.
Best Regards
Pattie_Q, Nov 2019
Guide was very nice. Expectations must have been too high. Boat to Robben Island had terrible visibility.
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Hi Griff 2007
As you know weather is something we cannot control
The Harbour master would never put any of the guests lives at risk by operating on high swells and torrential rain with high winds
We really sorry that your expectations are as very high and I will add this note to our website that visibility may be poor some times on the boat
Please bear in mind Harbour master thought it safe to operate on the day
It is a real pity you’ve scored the trip a 3 stars
Hopefully on your next visit we can assist with a ticket to the island if weather is great so you can score a 5
ps, i've just checked all of our bookings since operating to date, you have not booked a tour with us. Why would you score us a 3 if you did not book this tour with us? Please can you explain.
Viator team, can you please look into this review as I cannot find the customer on our data base. Thank you
Kind regards
Mathew_B, Nov 2019
Fazz was amazing. Got a great tour full of history. She’s full of energy and the perfect host! Thanks Fazz, the coffee was best I’ve had!
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Hellow Matt, You've been a great listener :) it was a pleasure to be in your company! Thanks for an amazing review, we luvvit! :) All the best is wished for you.
maureenmoore23, Nov 2019
Our car pick-up was punctual. We were made to feel very welcome. Our tour guide was very informative and friendly. I highly recommend Viator travel services.
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Hello Maureen and Paul thank you for your great review. It is really customers like your kind selves that makes us love the job that what we do :)
Hope to see you next time to take you personally on the pretty Franschhoek Route.
Best wishes to you and your family.
sweeks6, Sep 2019
The pickup was prompt and very accommodating. We had some explanation of some sites on the way to the boat. Had a short tour before our trip over to the island. More than I expected.
Response from Host, Sep 2019
Ms W, you are far too kind! was lovely to meet you and Ms MB :)
We wish you health, happiness and loads of adventrues.
Many thanks for touring with us we love to meet new friends.
Jameel
Janet_L, Jun 2019
Fascinating and interesting experience... you will be humbled... everyone should visit Robben Island.
Response from Host, Jun 2019
Many thanks for taking time out to review :) we appreciate :)
All the best is wished for you.
Jameel
From $221.67
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Robben Island Tour with interesting stops in Mandela footsteps
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