Robben Island Half Day Tour with Pre-Booked Entry Tickets.
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Robben Island museum tour is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa and is likely to sell out in advance. Secure your shared trip and museum tour tickets and skip the ticketing line by booking this tour and receiving return transfers between your hotel and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island.
Embark on a unique opportunity to take the Long March to Freedom in the historical footsteps of former President of South Africa - Nelson Mandela. See the prison cell that held Nelson Mandela incarcerated for 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment. Listen to the true-life experiences on the island as told by ex-political prisoners who will give you a live guided tour of the island.
This is one of the most enlightening tours you will ever experience in South Africa.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Robben Island Museum
Pick up at accommodation in Cape Town. You will receive a shared transfer from your hotel in Cape Town to the Silo District where you will be escorted to the Nelson Mandela Gateway. Here you will charter a shared to Robben Island museum where you will be met by a former political prisoner who will conduct the tour of the Island. (Please note that our tour guide/driver will not be joining you on the tour of the Robben Island museum.) The entire tour lasts +-4 hours which includes hotel pick up. For part of the tour, you will be transported around the island by bus, before you visit the prison cell of Nelson Mandela and take the long walk to freedom. Upon our arrival back at the Jetty, your Tour Guide/Driver will meet you at the entrance of the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
What‘s Included
Round trip transportation included when you choose that option.
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Entry/Admission to Robben Island.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking Fees
Lunch
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Intl. travelers. With pickup.
Time slots: All tickets, Hotel pickup & Drop-off are included. Time slots are for pick-up and the boarding time is 15 minutes after.
Pickup included
South African Citizens.
Pickup.: Kindly provide your valid South African ID number(s) to complete the booking. Pickup included.
Pickup included
Excluding Pick up & Drop-off.
Duration: 5 hours: PLEASE note this option DOES NOT include hotel transfers.
Entry ticket to Robben Island.: PLEASE note this option DOES NOT include hotel pickup & Drop-off.
All tickets to Robben Island Museum are included.
Reviews
335 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A terrible experience, don't make my mistake
Karen G,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00NEVER BOOK A ROBBEN ISLAND TOUR WITH VIATOR. It is not a South African tour company and you are charged you much much more for tickets that are cheaper directly through the Robben Island Museum. Viator comes up as the first option at the top of the search when you type in 'Robben Island Tours' into Google. If you don't know better, you just follow the prompts. Two months ago I reserved 2 tickets of R1000 each for the half day Robben Island tour for 26th Dec, for myself and my daughter, booking reference 1329088997. This was before I learnt that R600 tickets can be booked directly through the Robben Island Museum for visitors of any nationality. I indicated when I booked with Viator that neither of us was South African, although I have a South African retirement visa. We also didn't need a pick up, although there was no option to indicate that on the Viator booking system. I kept getting messages on my phone requiring my RSA ID and wanting my pickup details. I phoned the number to confirm that we were not RSA citizens, and that we didn't need pick up. I was told to ring a US number to discuss, and that the payment would double for non-RSA visitors. WHY?? The payment for R2000 went through 2 days ago on my visa card, but there were no tickets in my name at the desk this morning when we attempted to board the ferry. This was despite receiving an email message the day before with a link to my e-tickets with a bar code, which I had printed out and presented when attempting to board the ferry. However what I printed out weren't the actual tickets with a QR code and the whole trip had to be aborted. I ended up having to rebook 2 tickets directly with the museum (R1200 for two). I had no idea that Viator was American tour company, and I have now lost R2000 which no one at Viator will talk about. We were told this morning by Robben Island ferry staff that this happens many many times with customers who have booked through Viator. Viator books blocks of tickets, and then sells off already booked (and paid-for) tickets to other customers at short notice, as it appeared happened to us this morning. This was a dreadful experience and I believe that I was misled. I would like a refund, and an explanation as to why I needed to provide a RSA ID in order to access my booking. I host many visitors from other countries, and I will be telling them all about this experience.
They said the trip was...
Mondli B,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00They said the trip was nice and will certainly share the experience with others. It was a great revelation to them
Robben Island
kierans822,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A brilliant day. I was picked up and drove to the ferry and all was well explained. Friendly driver and guides that made it memorable day out.
Well worth the experience.
P8510BMjonathans,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a very pleasant drive to the ferry, where the guide passed us over to official guides on Robben island. The two guides we had had both been incarcerated at the prison and their first hand stories of the apartheid regime and their treatment was very powerful. Efficient and effective tour.
Excellent visit
Pamela J,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were taken around by Tom Moses, who was captivating and so passionate. He brought the place as alive as he possibly could. I found it very moving.
Great tour!
Danielle V,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative. A tour I would strongly recommend. To hear the story from a past prisoner was very touching.
It is a must to...
Francis D,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a must to visit Robben Island! Perfectly arranged they even came to see if we were at the boat. Before departure really very special and good!
Unique experience
esthetika2025,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We met, Aimable, our taxi driver. Super nice and speaks French. We visited Robben Island with a former prisoner who lived in the same cells as Nelson Mandela; a unique and upsetting experience!
Very good luck
Marika J,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything worked super smoothly! The boat over was good, on the island it was like two guided tours. First by bus around the island. The guide was very knowledgeable and good. Then in prison where the guide was an ex-convict. He was great! Very happy!
Disappointment in a very expensive tour ..
Daphne C,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00We booked to visit Robbins Island through Viator and cannot understand why we were charged R1719.44 per ticket, whilst a colleague purchased online from Robbins and paid only R600, for the exact same experience. What is the reason for such a large variance please?
From ZAR 1,350.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Aim Cape Tours.