Robben Island Half Day Tour with Pre-Booked Ticket from Cape Town
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Join our exclusive Robben Island tour for a guaranteed, personalized, and historically rich experience, featuring a storytelling ferry ride and rare insights from a former political prisoner.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What to bring Your passport/ID or a copy of your passport/ID or a photo of your passport/ID on your phone
We will need Full names of all participants in your group. Dates of birth for any minors under 18 years of age
Please note that the confirmation message you received from the Viator /GetYourGuide, and other partners' platform is not your actual ferry ticket, we will issue the ticket a day before the activity.
Please ensure that you add your proper information such as the correct country code and mobile number because your tickets will be sent via WhatsApp or iMessage or email.
For South African travellers, please enter the ID number of each adult in the “Special requirements” box when making the booking.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Robben Island Museum
Robben Island Museum Tour a powerful journey into South Africa’s history. Here’s what you’ll experience: Highlights of Your Tour: 1. Ferry Ride to the Island - Stunning views of Table Mountain and Cape Town’s coastline from the water (great photo opportunity!). 2. Guided Bus Tour of the Island - See key sites, including: - The limestone quarry where political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, performed hard labor. - The leper colony cemetery (19th-century history). - Maximum Security Prison (where you’ll meet a former political prisoner guide). 3. Walk Through the Prison - Stand in Nelson Mandela’s cell (a deeply moving experience). - Hear firsthand stories from ex-inmates about apartheid’s struggles and triumphs. 4. Panoramic Views & Wildlife - Spot penguins, seals, and seabirds—the island is also a nature reserve!
What‘s Included
Former prisoner Guide
Return Robben Island Ferry tickets
Robben Island Museum Entry Ticket and Tour
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Options
International Travelers
International Travelers Guest
South African Travelers
Use your ID number instead of a passport number to confirm your booking. The listed times are for the ferry's departure.
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
10/10 booking and experience
CLEOPATRA M,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great customer service from Ivan and an even more amazing experience on the island. Definitely using Viator again in the future where necessary.
Operator loaded the price
Naim K,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Way too expensive charged triple price as SA compared to buying directly .Please dont overcharge locals
Viator booking was easy...
Alex G,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00Viator booking was easy but the trip was tiresomely long and half of it on a hot bus and this needs to be made clear. It’s a prison visit, half of it on a foot (the good bit, with an ex-prisoner) and half of it on a bus, nothing more nothing less. The wildlife part is some penguins at a snack stop at the end of the trip. Long wait at the beginning as well. It’s 5hrs start to finish not 3-4.
Everything well arranged
Charles P,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Be accurate when entering your details. In case of problems, a good help function is available.
Robben Island- What an amazing experience!!
Douglas L,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an amazing experience because not only are you going back in time but you are also walking the halls of the prison with a former prisoner!!
A wonderful experience indeed
phophir2025,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’m very grateful to our guide Ivan for making this visit so meaningful. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cape Town- it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
#Robbenisland💯
Guide54825363679,,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visiting robben island was one of the most powerful experiences of our lives, and our tour guide played a huge role in that. Their knowledge of the island’s history was incredible but what stood out most was the passion and respect with which they shared the stories. They answered every question with patience and gave us deeper understanding of the resilience of those imprisoned there. Thank you for making this tour so impactful. Truly recommend
Fantastic and memorable experience
Elizabeth R,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an amazing and sobering experience. We were able to step into the world of the political prisoners that were there. Our ex-political prisoner guide, Terrance, was fantastic and helped us understand the everyday life of the prisoners. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Please do not use this website it’s a scam.
Janine B,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00The Robben island experience is fantastic just please don’t book using this site. We paid for tickets which were not sent and when we called standing at the gate they wanted more money. The 3 different payment links don’t work so we were left with no choice but to purchase new tickets at the gate. The gate tickets are more than half the price of what you are charged on here!! There was another couple with us having exactly the same issue. So no tickets were given and they are refusing to refund our money. COMPLETE SCAM PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SITE!!!
Memories to remember
pulengr2024,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our journey started with a pickup our driver Ivan was on time and friendly he made us feel comfortable we board to Robben island with a ferry our guide from Island was a former prisoner who shared his life he lived with. This tour doesn't just teach you about apartheid; it makes you feel the weight of it and, more importantly, the incredible power of those who overcame it. Highly recommended.
Related Experiences
Operated by HYM CAPE TOURS