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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Richard Holmes

One of the most poignant destinations for any visitor to Cape Town, this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and museum is an infamous prison island in the middle of Table Bay. During apartheid it held some of SA’s most famous political prisoners, including former president Nelson Mandela.

It remains as an important reminder of the evils of the apartheid era, brought home powerfully by the guides, some of whom are former inmates.

Logistics

Price from: £28
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 3.5

Getting there & doing it

Ferries across to the island depart from the Clock Tower precinct at the V&A Waterfront. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, and use the time to see the Nelson Mandela Gateway and Jetty 1 exhibitions. The complete tour, with ferry crossing, lasts about 3.5 hours in total.

Tickets need to be booked online weeks, if not months, ahead as it frequently sells out. It’s also weather dependent, so buy your ticket for the first part of your stay. If it’s then cancelled, you may still get to go a few days later.

The food kiosks on the island are not of great quality. Plan to eat before or after your trip.

When to do it

Tours all year round, seven days a week. Ferries across to the island depart every two hours throughout the day, weather permitting.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Cape Town Township Tour including Robben Island - Walk to Freedom Tour

Cape Town

Cape Town Township Tour including Robben Island - Walk to Freedom Tour
We drive past the Slave Lodge and City Hall to view Mandela's Statue, site of the first ever public speech Nelson Mandela delivered after his release from prison. Then visit the riveting District Six Museum and travel through the District Six Site (Museum closed Sundays & Public Holidays) for a sharp reminder of the past. We proceed to tour Langa Township, the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Cape, visiting the local market - Gugu Sthebe, where the community showcase their skills and various projects including arts & craft. Thereafter continue to see the informal housing as well as new housing developments under way. For those who have the time, do extend to a full day tour - a visit to Robben Island in the afternoon. Cruel home of our Nelson Mandela for so many years, it's a highly charged and emotional moment when you visit the site of this suffering, and realize how far South Africa has come from those days.

Price: Z2,150

Min age: 0

Rating 4.23 / 5 [184 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Robben Island Tour - Hotel Pick-Ups & stops at interesting places pre/post tour

Cape Town

Robben Island Tour - Hotel Pick-Ups & stops at interesting places pre/post tour
2 Transfers included from Cape Town City Centre hotels or Sea Point hotels Stops at famous spots within the City 1 Robben Island Ticket included per person (Return ferry trip to Robben Island) * Our local guide will not board the boat he or she will assist to the boat * Transfer from City Centre hotels or Sea Point Hotels by a qualified guide * Board the boat to Robben Island - please be prepared for a long queue * Bus tour around the Island with a Robben Island guide * See Nelson Mandela's cell 46664 * Time to listen to ex prisoner - English is the guide's 2nd language * Boat trip back to Mainland *Transfer back to hotel *Maximum 15 on minibus *Maximum on boat is 190 **********SeaSick Tablets are essential if you prone to SeaSickness***********

Price: Z2,950

Min age: 2

Rating 4.74 / 5 [114 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Robben Island, Table Mountain and Cape Town City Private Day Tour

Cape Town

Robben Island, Table Mountain and Cape Town City Private Day Tour
Join us on one of the most popular heritage tours in South Africa and experience more about South African history by taking a boat trip to Robben Island museum and see the prison cell where former president Nelson Mandela was incarcerated as a political prisoner. Then, take a tour of Cape Town city including Table Mountain Cableway and see Cape Town from a different dimension. Take a photo in the Bo Kaap and meet and greet the local Cape Malay community. This is truly one of the most amazing tours you will ever embark on.

Price: Z3,350

Min age: 0

Rating 4.39 / 5 [56 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Robben Island & City stops.We confirm tickets by 8h00 am next day

Cape Town

Robben Island & City stops.We confirm tickets by 8h00 am next day
2 Transfers included from Cape Town City Centre hotels or Sea Point hotels & return (with interesting stops!) and lunch included Water & Sweets Robben Island Ticket is included * Guide will hand over ticket on arrival at Gateway * Board the boat to Robben Island please note: wait in a long queue as there are 2 boats to the island 279 persons on board boat * Robben island guide will take guests on the bus for a tour around the Island * See Nelson Mandela's prison / some shrines of ex Java/Indonesian political prisoners * Time to listen to ex prisoner sharing stories of time in prison during apartheid era * Boat trip back to Mainland then transfer back to hotel Return to hotel Please put on sun screen Take a jacket as it gets windy sometimes Be 30 minutes early at the Gateway (With your guide who will escort you to the boat) Sea sick tablets is advised if guests are prone to being sea sick Wear comfortable clothing and shoes 15 maximum on minibus 279 maximum on boat

Price: Z3,150

Min age: 2

Rating 4.92 / 5 [53 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Township Tour District 6 Museum Robben Island drop off at hotel

Cape Town

Township Tour District 6 Museum Robben Island drop off at hotel
Embark on a journey that will tug on your heart strings. * Hotel pickups * Visit to District Six Museum - learn about Apartheid, Segregation Laws, Immorality Act etc * Visit Langa, visit a Shebeen, buy handmade ceramics, bead work & local crafts * Township guides who grew up in township is doing the guiding on the tour * See how people used to live and how they have been upgraded with new homes * Return to the Waterfront for quick lunch * Robben Island tour * Back to hotel or stay for dinner at waterfront NOTE: District Six Museum is closed on a Sunday Visit a local community with Church service on a Sunday

Price: Z3,150

Min age: 1

Rating 4.76 / 5 [30 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Cape Town

Western Cape, South Africa

Aerial view of the whole city at dusk

A vibrant, multicultural city with dramatic scenery, adrenaline adventure galore, Africa’s best art scene, golden beaches world-class wine regions and outstanding gastronomy. All in the shadows of the mighty Table Mountain.