Are you planning to visit Cape Town in South Africa? Be sure to visit Robben Island by boat, for an unforgettable experience!
From the summit of Table Mountain, you gaze out over the horizon at a rocky mass stretching just a few kilometers from the coast. On this rock, barely 5 square kilometers in size, part of South Africa’s history was played out. At one time a prison, a leper colony or a mental asylum, the island held little appeal until the mid-1990s, when it was transformed into a museum. Today, millions of tourists visit it every year to pay their respects and understand the history of all those who were imprisoned there.
Would you like to visit Robben Island? In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to make the most of your visit. From tips, history and practical information to prices and opening hours, we’ve got everything you need to plan your visit and make the most of it! Follow the guide!
History of Robben Island
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Marek Poplawski
Robben Island was first recorded in 1498, when Vasco de Gama reached the Cape of Good Hope. It wasn’t until 1658, however, that men began to construct buildings on the island. The Dutch colonists decided to use the island as a prison for African convicts and exiles from the Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia. Robben Island’s vocation as a prison was born:
- From the 19th century onwards, it was used as a prison by the British, who had taken control of the Cape.
- From 1945, it housed a psychiatric center until 1921, and a hospital for lepers until 1931. During the Second World War, the island was used as a military base for the defense of Cape Town. Fortifications were built and weapons installed.
- It became a training ground for the South African Navy after the war, then returned to the Prisons Department in 1959.
- In 1961, a high-security prison was built for those serving long sentences. The prison became infamous for holding anti-apartheid activists, including the famous Nelson Mandela. He spent 17 of his 27 years in captivity there.
After the end of apartheid, the prison was finally closed in 1996. It then became a museum, and it is now possible to visit Robben Island. The island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The buildings bear witness to the dark hours of its history, and the island symbolizes the victory of freedom over oppression.
Our tips for visiting Robben Island
Before visiting Robben Island, here are a few things you should know:
- The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- The weather is changeable, so we advise you to bring warm clothing, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat.
- Please bring your passport with you on the day of your visit, as you will be asked for it.
- We recommend that you schedule your visit at the beginning of your stay, so that if it is cancelled due to bad weather, you have the option of rescheduling it.
Please note: if you suffer from seasickness, we recommend that you take appropriate medication before embarking. The Cape region is exposed to sea winds and the sea can be rough.
What to see and do on Robben Island
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Anton_Ivanov
- Your adventure begins as you board the ferry to visit Robben Island. A documentary allows you to discover or rediscover the history of Apartheid.
- Once you’ve disembarked, you’ll head for a bus that will take you around the island. This is where you meet your guide. He’s full of anecdotes, and makes the link between the stories of the past and South Africa today. It’s clear that inequalities are still with us. The pace of the tour is pleasant, and you won’t feel pressed for time.
- The limestone quarry is one of the highlights of the tour, as you imagine the inmates digging under the sun during forced labor. You’ll then pass the WWII bunkers , the lighthouse and the cemetery. Each building has its own story, which your guide will be delighted to tell you.
- At the end of the bus tour, you’ll head for theformer prison. Another guide will take over to show you the inside of the barracks. Most of the guides who show you around the prison are former inmates. The experience of coming face to face with someone who has lived in this hell is emotionally powerful. He’ll tell you all about the conditions of life in prison and answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to ask him any questions you may have, and the visit will be all the more rewarding for it. The highlight of the show is Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell, but don’t forget that he wasn’t the only one to be locked up, and that conditions were just as harsh for all inmates.
- Once the tour is over, you’ll take the ferry back to the mainland, with enough information and emotion to ponder the journey home.
How much does a ticket to Robben Island cost?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Renee Vititoe
Here are the prices:
- South Africans: 380 Rands (approx. €24)
- Foreign tourists: 550 Rands (approx. €35)
- South African children: 200 Rands (€12)
- Foreign children: 300 Rands (€19)
The tour includes return ferry trips, a tour of the island and its main points of interest by bus with an English-speaking guide, and a visit to the prison, again with a guide.
How do I book a ticket for Robben Island online?
To make a reservation, you have several options:
- On the official Robben Island website, a Book a tour tab lets you easily book a ticket to visit Robben Island at the date and time of your choice.
- You can also book throughtravel agencies or tour operators. In many cases, you’ll be picked up from your hotel, enjoying a pleasant, fast journey and a guided tour for the day!
Are tours combined with other locations available?
When you visit Robben Island, you’ll leave from the V & A Waterfront. The Victoria & Albert Waterfront is Cape Town’s harbor and one of the most visited places in South Africa. There are no combined tickets for Robben Island and other activities, but you can take advantage of the port’s many attractions.
- Don’t miss a trip to the Victoria Wharf Shopping Center.
- The Ferris wheel will take you up high for a beautiful view of the city, with Table Mountain on one side and Robben Island on the other.
- Nobel Square features statues of the 4 South African Nobel Peace Prize winners: F.W. De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela.
- The Two Ocean Aquarium is also a must-see on the Waterfront, with over 3,000 species of fish.
However, a number of tourist organizations offer vouchers for the city’s various activities. The Cape Town City Pass, for example, gives you access to Robben Island, the Cape Town sightseeing bus and the cable car to Table Mountain. You’ll also benefit from a cab transfer from the airport to your hotel and discounts on other activities.
Robben Island excursion timetable
Photo credit: Shutterstock / e2dan
To visit Robben Island, departures take place every two hours at 9am, 11am and 1pm. In high season, an extra trip is added at 3pm. We advise you to arrive at the quay at least 30 minutes in advance. The crowds are so great that it’s best to leave a safety margin.
All in all, the entire tour takes around 4 hours, including the boat trips. Ferry crossings last between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the ferry. Then, on site, the Robben Island tour will take around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the questions you ask the guide.
How do I get to Robben Island?
To access Robben Island, you need to go to the Nelson Mandela gateway, located on Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. However, if you’re coming from the airport, you’ll need to follow the N2 road towards Cape Town. You’ll see signs for the Waterfront.
Where to stay near Robben Island?
If you’re on a budget, it’s easy to find a hotel in Cape Town. In fact, you can stay right next to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, the starting point for your visit to Robben Island. Numerous 4- and 5-star hotels welcome you in the harbor area. You’ll be right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, surrounded by restaurants, bars and boutiques. For an original experience, a yacht moored at the quay has been converted into a hotel by its owner.
Just off the Waterfront, beyond the main road, you’ll find a choice of luxury establishments and Airbnb for smaller budgets. There are also a number of guesthouses in the area. At the foot of Lion’s Head Hill, you’ll find a host of small, charming hotels and backpacker hotels.
To enjoy the beach, head for Sunset Beach and Queen’s Beach. Here you’ll find 4-star hotels offering good value for money.