Cape Town: Robben Island Tour Including Ferry Tickets & Transfers
Cape Town, South Africa
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Offered in: English
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Overview
A visit to Robben Island is a must to learn about South Africa’s history, and this tour offers a convenient and effective way to get there. Included hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town, entry to Robben Island, and a guided tour let you learn about the Island's role as a former prison and hear stories about Nelson Mandela’s 18 years of captivity.
- Explore the highlights of Robben Island with a guide
- Save time waiting in ticket lines: Robben Island entry is included
- Tour offers the opportunity to see Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell
- Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town hotels for convenience.
What's Included
- Driver/Guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance fees to Robben Island
- Food and Drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please provide us with a pick up address. Departure from your location within 10km (6 miles) of the Cape Town CBD. Please note that additional charges may apply should your accommodation fall outside of this radius.
Itinerary
1
Robben Island Museum
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 214 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 272 reviews
Becky_C, Apr 2026
Robben island is a must visit and the tour of the prison was very interesting. I do feel they are trying to get too many people through and It felt like not enough time. I would have liked more freedom to explore the complex. I understand the prison had to be controlled.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful feedback.
We’re very glad you found Robben Island and the prison tour interesting and worthwhile. It is indeed a powerful and important site to visit. We also appreciate your comments regarding the timing and pace of the visit. As this is a highly structured and controlled heritage site, visitor flow is managed carefully, but we understand your wish for more time to explore. Thank you again for visiting and for taking the time to share your experience.
Tom_S, Apr 2026
Definitely worth including on any trip to Cape Town, it's a sobering experience and valuable knowledge to better understand South Africa and it's history.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful feedback.
We’re very glad you found Robben Island and the prison tour interesting and worthwhile. It is indeed a powerful and important site to visit. We also appreciate your comments regarding the timing and pace of the visit. As this is a highly structured and controlled heritage site, visitor flow is managed carefully, but we understand your wish for more time to explore. Thank you again for visiting and for taking the time to share your experience.
Admir_M, Apr 2026
Fayical was a great guide and driver, gave us clear instructions and took great care of us. Thank youn
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're delighted to hear that Fayical took great care of you and provided clear guidance throughout your experience.
We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again on your next visit to Cape Town!
Yasmin_H, Mar 2026
Very moving and educational experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed the tour. It’s a must for a tourist.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are so pleased to hear that you found the Robben Island tour moving, educational, and enjoyable. It is a truly special experience, and we’re glad it left such a positive impression on you. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in Cape Town.
Cheryl_S, Feb 2026
It was very informative. People may get sick on the boat ride over. But we never. It was emotional. Loved it.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We’re delighted to hear that you found the Robben Island experience informative and emotional, it truly is a powerful and moving part of South Africa’s history.
Yes, the boat ride can sometimes be a little rough depending on the weather, so we always advise guests to be prepared just in case, but we’re glad you had a smooth crossing 😊.
It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Cape Town again soon!
Raheem_B, Feb 2026
Faisal was fantastic. He gave us a mini tour as we approached the ferry. It was a great day for us and the children.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊 We’re really happy you and the children had a great day. Fayical will be delighted to hear your feedback. We’d love to welcome you back to Cape Town again!
Fiyin_F, Feb 2026
Robben Island itself was amazing. so rich in education, history. I learned a lot. However, transportation was not good. Driver first said he would be at our hotel at 12 noon. Then he changed to 12:30. Didn't get to us until 12:50 or so. We almost missed the ferry to Robben island. We were the last on the line.
Very unprofessional. Kept changing pick up times. Sent someone else who arrived very late. Defrauded us of R200.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Atinuke Fawole, thank you for your feedback. I’m very glad you enjoyed Robben Island, it really is a powerful experience.
I’m sorry the pickup felt stressful. Due to unexpected traffic delays, we reassigned a replacement driver to ensure you still reached the Gateway in time. We agree the communication around the pickup time should have been smoother, and we’ve tightened our process to prevent this happening again.
Regarding the R200, this was not a defraud charge, it relates to an official rescheduling fee linked to the booking changes (which was communicated at the time). If you’d like, please contact me directly and I’ll gladly share the breakdown/confirmation for your records.
Angelica_V, Feb 2026
Sobering experience. Excellent narration by former inmates. It is a talking tour with stops around the compound. It may get hot during the several stops the bus makes.
The boat ride to and from is very enjoyable
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience of Robben Island. We’re glad you found the narration by former inmates impactful, it truly adds depth and authenticity to the visit. The stops around the compound can indeed be thought‑provoking, and we appreciate your note about the heat during the tour. We’re also pleased you enjoyed the boat ride, which offers a wonderful perspective of Cape Town and Table Mountain. Your feedback helps future visitors know what to expect, and we’re delighted the tour left a meaningful impression.
Marc_N, Jan 2026
So humbling to see what Nelson Mandela and others went through to get justice and remove apartheid. Guide was excellent
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for the lovely feedback! We are really glad the experience felt meaningful and that the visit gave deeper insight into what Nelson Mandela and so many others endured.
Peter_J, Jan 2026
We were on our 2nd day of a cruise. Pick up was offered by the tour operator which we accepted. However the ship is berthed within a 10 minute walk to the start point at the Robben Island Museum. So if you do not have any difficulty with walking I would suggest making your own way there. The trip itself was an excellent experience with an ex prisoner and the ex guard and subsequent good friend of Nelson Mandela were there to tell us about the place.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your review, we are glad you enjoyed the Robben Island experience and the powerful stories shared by the former prisoner and former warder.
Linda_H, Jan 2026
First class site, we'll organized, relivant, respectful and so very interesting. Staff, guides, support people and dock crew very helpful.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are pleased you enjoyed a well-organised and meaningful Robben Island experience. Much appreciated.
kissinger_M, Jan 2026
World Class experience. It was such a great 3 hours spent on the Island. Well done Viator!!!!!!!!!!!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience on Robben Island. It truly is a world-class site with powerful history, and we’re glad the three hours on the island made such a strong impression.
Thank you for choosing us via Viator, and we hope to welcome you again on a future visit to Cape Town.
Tony_P, Dec 2025
Very good experience but could have included a bit more history on the political prisoners and an introduction on the 6 statues by the entrance gate.
If the guide entered the accommodation building and talked about the rooms it would have given a better feel of the experience
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback and for joining us on the Robben Island experience. I’m really glad to hear you had a good visit overall.
I also appreciate your suggestions regarding the additional historical context, the statues at the entrance, and spending more time inside the accommodation area. Your comments are very valuable, they help us understand what guests would like to see more of, and where we can improve the storytelling and overall flow of the tour.
While certain parts of the tour are managed directly by Robben Island Museum, we always aim to provide the richest and most meaningful experience possible on our side. Your feedback will certainly guide us in enhancing that.
Thank you once again for taking the time to share your thoughts. We hope to welcome you back in the future for an even deeper and more engaging visit.
Zoe_H, Nov 2025
We were shown around and given some very interesting information by an ex-prisoner.
He was very knowledgeable. We were grateful that he shared his story.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We’re glad to hear that your guide and former political prisoner was able to share his story and provide meaningful insight during your visit. The voices of those who lived through Robben Island are a powerful part of the tour, and we’re grateful you could be part of that.
rhodell_f, Nov 2025
Emotionally challenging. When you are exposed to complete absence of humanity and empathy it is spiritually devastating. That the substantial changes that have taken place in South Africa with minimal loss of life is utterly astounding.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your reflection.
Robben Island is indeed an emotionally challenging place to visit. Confronting the complete absence of humanity and empathy that so many endured there can be deeply painful, but it is also an important part of understanding South Africa’s history.
Like you said, the fact that the country was able to move from that reality to democracy with comparatively little loss of life is truly remarkable and something we should never take for granted.
We are grateful that you were open to this experience and that you took the time to put it into words.
If you return to Cape Town in the future, it would be an honour to guide you again.
Grant_S, Nov 2025
Our pick up from the cruise port was excellent.
We were dropped off at the waterfront and had a 90 minute wait in line to board the ferry.
Once on the island we were allocated a bus to board to commence the tour. This is where it started to go wrong. 5 across and couldn't see what was being described by the tour guide. Very hot and uncomfortable in the bus .
Presentation by a former Political prisoner was very interesting and informative. Once we started the walk through the cell blocks we couldn't hear what the guide was explaining due to the large group, this made it difficult.
Overall we were happy with the experience but due to the number of people being ferried through we felt we missed out on a lot of crucial facts.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback. We are really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
We are glad to hear that the pickup from the cruise port went smoothly and that you enjoyed the presentation from the former political prisoner it truly is one of the most powerful parts of the Robben Island visit.
We are very sorry to hear about the long wait for the ferry and the challenges on the bus and inside the cell block. Unfortunately, the ferry operations, group sizes, and on-island transport are managed directly by the Robben Island Museum, and at peak times they can become quite busy. We completely understand how this can affect the overall experience, especially when visibility or sound is limited in larger groups.
Your feedback is very valuable, and we will be passing your comments along so they are aware of the guest experience regarding crowd management and comfort.
We are glad that overall you still found the visit meaningful, and We truly appreciate you sharing both the highlights and the areas for improvement. If you return to Cape Town in the future, We would be honoured to guide you again and ensure a smoother, more personalised experience.
Vicky_P, Oct 2025
Our former prisoner/guide was able to relate to us his experience of what it was like to be held as a black political prisoner back in the days when Nelson Mandela was there. We learned so much.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for this thoughtful review. We are so glad to hear that your guide's powerful personal story made such a deep impression. It's through these firsthand accounts that we can truly honor and understand this important history. We appreciate you visiting and sharing your experience.
Graham_K, Oct 2025
Robben Island is steeped in history, and the guided tour brings that to life with powerful storytelling. The guides — many of whom are former inmates — share deeply personal accounts that make the experience emotionally resonant and thought-provoking.
That said, visitors should manage expectations: this isn’t a visually rich site with grand architecture or varied exhibits. It’s a prison — stark, utilitarian, and intentionally bare. Beyond the ferry ride and the stories, there’s not a great deal to “see” in the traditional tourist sense. The impact lies in the narrative, not the scenery.
If you're drawn to historical depth and human resilience, it's worth the visit. Just don’t expect a spectacle — this is a place for reflection, not photo ops.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful review. Robben Island is indeed a place of deep reflection rather than visual spectacle, and we appreciate how well you captured that in your feedback. The personal stories shared by the guides, many of whom experienced life there firsthand, are truly the heart of the visit and what makes it so impactful.
We’re glad you found the storytelling powerful and resonant, and we also value your honest note about managing expectations. This helps future visitors understand that the significance of Robben Island lies in its history, resilience, and human spirit, not in grand architecture or scenic variety.
Your reflections will certainly help others prepare for a meaningful and respectful experience. We hope you left with lasting insights and we’d be honored to welcome you or your friends again in the future.
Sanjay_M, Sep 2025
Great tour. Driver picked us up from the accommodation and dropped us off. Great communication day before to arrange everything. Ferry to island and back easy. Great tour on the island from people living on the island as well as ex inmates who provided invaluable insight into the life and history of the Island and prison. What an experience!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Robben Island tour and found the insights from the island residents and former inmates so valuable. We always aim to make the experience smooth and memorable, from pick-up to drop-off, so I’m glad the communication and arrangements worked well for you.
It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Cape Town again in the future!
Richard_O, Jun 2025
This is a tour that everyone who visits Capetown MUST do. The tour was led by a former prisoner who made the visit to Robben Island more compelling, informative, and "real". Walking in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and to hear about prison life was thought-provoking. In these times, this tour was extremely relevant ! Thank you
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your powerful and thoughtful review. We're truly honored that you found the Robben Island tour so compelling and meaningful. Hearing the story firsthand from a former prisoner adds a profound layer to the experience, and we're glad it left such an impact on you.
Walking in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps is indeed an unforgettable journey, and we’re grateful you chose to take it with us. Your words reaffirm the importance of preserving and sharing this part of our history, especially in today’s world.
We hope to welcome you back to Cape Town again soon!
Aiden_K, May 2025
It’s possible to do this tour on your own, buying tickets at the Robben’s Island ferry. A couple of Cape Town residents in front of me did just that. As a tourist with limited time, I appreciated the private pick up from my City Center Hotel, the guaranteed ticket, and the fact that my driver was waiting for me five hours later when the ferry returned.
Poignant bleak touching experience, particularly the maximum security prison part where we were guided by a former prisoner. Triumph of the human spirit. Lessons learned from history that should never be repeated.
As Tom, our guide told us, there are only 500 former prisoners still alive to tell their story. And many prisoners were involved in fighting for freedom along with Nelson Mandela.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and detailed review.
We're truly honored to have been part of such a meaningful experience for you. Robben Island holds deep historical significance, and it's incredibly powerful to hear those stories from former political prisoners themselves. We're glad that the convenience of the private pick-up, guaranteed ticket, and return transfer helped make your day smoother, especially with limited time.
Tom is indeed a wonderful guide, and we’re grateful that he could share his knowledge and passion with you. Thank you again for choosing us and for recognizing the importance of remembering and learning from our shared history. We hope to welcome you back to Cape Town one day.
Kenneth_L, May 2025
Be prepared to walk, the boat ride over was very nice. Touring the prison and hearing the stories from our guide (who was actually a prisoner there} will cut through you deep....! The set up is very efficient and didn't take long at all. When I visit Cape Town I'll definitely be going again.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're so pleased to hear that you found the experience powerful and meaningful—hearing firsthand stories from a former prisoner is truly humbling and unforgettable.
We're also glad the overall setup and logistics went smoothly for you. Robben Island is such an important piece of South African history, and it's wonderful to hear that you’d return again on your next visit to Cape Town.
We look forward to welcoming you back!
Daniel_B, May 2025
The Robben Island tour, including pick-up and drop-off in Cape Town, was very comfortable. Everything went according to plan. The driver (Fayical) who took me was attentive and explained the entire tour.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that you had a comfortable and smooth experience, and that everything went according to plan.
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Fayical — he’ll be delighted to know his efforts made your tour even more enjoyable.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Cape Town in the future!
Lawraine_A, May 2025
Highly recommended for tourists who wants to immerse in the history of South Aftica. It was a privilege to see the prison cell of Nelson Mandela and felt the suffering he and others have to go through to fight freedom inside the jail.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We're truly glad to hear that your visit to Robben Island left a meaningful impression. It is indeed a powerful experience to walk through such an important chapter of South Africa's history and to reflect on the sacrifices made for freedom.
We're honored to have helped make your journey both informative and memorable. We hope to welcome you back to Cape Town again in the future!
Sang_W, Apr 2025
This tour is misleading and takes advantage of travellers who didn't do their research. What they're selling is just the ticket and a van transfer to and from your hotel and the harbor. The actual tour guides that explain everything come with the Robbens Island ticket and is not supplied by this company. The Robbens Island tickets are easy to purchase yourself online and costs 600 rands per person (approx $30 USD). This company is essentially charging you an additional $50 per person for the pickup and dropoff at your hotel. Ubers are so affordable in Cape Town that this experience was a complete rip off. Would recommend for you to just buy the tickets yourself and call an Uber.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
We are sorry to hear that the service did not meet your expectations. However, we would like to clarify a few important points regarding our tour offering:
Our product, "Robben Island Tour including Pick-Up & Drop-Off from Cape Town," is clearly described as a transportation and ticketing service.
The Robben Island guided tour itself is operated exclusively by the Robben Island Museum and their official guides — this is stated on our product description.
What we provide is the secure pre-booking of your ferry ticket (which often sells out in advance) along with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or guesthouse, offering convenience and peace of mind.
The additional cost covers not only private, reliable transportation but also service fees, ticket handling, and personalized assistance, which many travelers find valuable — especially when compared to managing the process alone or navigating busy queues.
We completely understand that for some independent travelers, purchasing directly and arranging an Uber might feel more cost-effective. However, for guests looking for a seamless, door-to-door experience with full support, our service provides that option.
We appreciate your feedback and will continue to ensure that our tour descriptions remain as clear and detailed as possible so that every traveler can choose the option that best suits their needs.
Wishing you safe and enjoyable travels further in South Africa!
MarisaL_W, Apr 2025
Smooth ferry over. Knowledgeable staff.
Interesting experience.
Also sad experience. I have been to the concentration camp in Poland, Experienced Hiroshima and slave in Gambia. Man's in humanity to each other is terrible.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience and reflections.
We are grateful that you chose to visit Robben Island with us and that you found the journey both smooth and informative.
We truly understand your feelings — Robben Island, like other historic sites you mentioned, carries a deep and powerful reminder of the struggles faced by humanity.
It’s important for all of us to remember these stories, and we are honored to help share them with visitors from around the world.
Thank you again for your visit and for taking the time to leave such a meaningful review.
Stephen_P, Apr 2025
A very interesting trip to Robben Island. Informative and shocking. An ex inmate acting as guide gave real colour to the experience. Pricing a real rip off thru Viator. Would be less than half the price for exactly the same tour buying tickets direct and getting uber to ferry
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear that you found the visit to Robben Island both informative and impactful, the insights shared by former inmates truly add a powerful and personal dimension to the experience.
We understand your concern regarding the pricing. Booking through Viator includes not only the official Robben Island ticket but also value-added services such as hotel pick-up and drop-off, ticket handling, and personal assistance to ensure a seamless experience, especially for guests unfamiliar with local logistics.
That said, we always strive to be transparent and competitive in our pricing, and your comments are noted and appreciated.
We hope the overall experience left a meaningful impression and we’d be honored to welcome you again for another Cape Town adventure.
Elize_W, Apr 2025
The boat trip pretty cool, staff great, overall good.. the bus tour guide was just awesome, I think his name was Thenda or something, what a nice guy.. gone out of his way to make it a special memorable trip, however the Robyn Island tour.. Not so nice.. The guide Sipho absolutely rude, was rude to another guide in front of all other tourist which accompany tourist from Greece.. Not so knowledgeable, looks like just want to talk about himself and what his expierence was in jail. Hardly told us anything about Mandela..
Will do it again preferably not with a Robyn Island tour guide like Sipho
This time around the trip was not worth the money spend.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, we truly value every guest's experience, and we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the boat trip and found the bus tour guide (Thenda) to be outstanding. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him.
We are, however, very sorry to hear about your experience during the Robben Island prison tour. While the prison portion of the tour is conducted by official Robben Island guides who are former political prisoners, we understand that professionalism, respect, and informative content are essential in delivering a meaningful and memorable visit.
We regret that your interaction with the guide, Sipho, did not meet expectations. We will be forwarding your comments to the Robben Island Museum management, who oversees all onboard guides and content delivery, so they can address this directly and ensure future guests have a better experience.
Your feedback helps us advocate for continuous improvement, and we hope you’ll consider visiting again — we’d love the opportunity to assist you in arranging a more rewarding tour.
Hans_K, Apr 2025
Our tour guide was fantastic. We arrived late on a cruise ship due to the fog and he was very understanding and kind. Thank you for taking great care of us and going above and beyond.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We understand that delays can happen, especially with cruise schedules — and we’re always happy to accommodate wherever possible. I’m glad to hear your guide made you feel welcome and taken care of.
It was our pleasure to assist, and we hope to see you again on your next visit to Cape Town!
Grainne_S, Mar 2025
Amazing experience to witness history- having a tour of the prison conducted by an ex-prisoner was humbling.
Our only issue was the wait for the boat across to the island- we were there at 12:30 for the 1pm boat but it did not arrive until 13:30 and we were 45 minutes late in setting off. We had to stand in a large queue for over an hour and that meant we had 3 hours rather than 4 for the trip.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We're so glad to hear that the tour itself was a powerful and humbling experience for you especially having the opportunity to hear firsthand from a former prisoner. That personal insight is truly what makes Robben Island so unique and meaningful.
We sincerely apologize for the delay you experienced at the harbour. The usual ferry was undergoing repairs on the day, and a replacement vessel had to be used, which unfortunately affected the departure schedule. We understand how frustrating it can be to wait in a long queue, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you once again for sharing your experience, and we hope the historical depth of the tour still left a lasting impression. We’d love to welcome you back to Cape Town in the future.
From $59.63
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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