Robben Island
Robben Island Museum: historic prison-turned-heritage site off Cape Town, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Guided tours include ferry, prison, and island exploration.
Location
The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 7 km off Cape Town’s coast, spans 5 km² and is famously known for its political prison, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years incarcerated. 🚌 The Tour Experience
- Catch the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront at scheduled times (09:00, 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00).
- Ferry crossing takes ~30 minutes. On the island, a guided bus tour visits the leper graveyard, lime/quarry sites, WWII bunkers, Robert Sobukwe’s house, and the maximum-security prison.
- Guides are often former inmates, offering deep personal insight.
📷 Highlights
- Mandela’s cell—heart-wrenching and foundational
- Kramat shrine, lighthouse, and diverse wildlife: penguins, seals, birds, and small mammals
⏰ Practical Info
- Tours last about 3.5 hours including ferry; best to book morning slots and in advance—especially in peak Nov–Mar season.
- Foreign visitors pay ~R600 (adults) / R310 (children); South African rates ~R400 / R210.
- Tours run daily, weather permitting—ferry cancellations possible with strong winds .
- Bring ID (must match ticket), wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and warm layers .
🎓 Why Visit?
- Walk in Mandela’s footsteps and connect with authentic history
- Hear powerful testimony from ex-prisoners
- Explore multi-layered heritage: prison, hospital, military base, Muslim shrine
- Encounter island wildlife amid rugged coastal landscapes
- A profound reflection on resilience, democracy, and reconciliation
✅ Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Robben Island, 7 km from V&A Waterfront |
| Included in ticket | Ferry ride, guided bus + walking tours, Nelson Mandela's cell |
| Duration | ~3.5 hours |
| Cost (Intl) | ~R600 adult, R310 child |
| Best Time to Go | Mornings, Nov–Mar (peak), book ahead |
Robben Island isn’t just a site—it’s a deeply moving journey into South Africa’s past. A must-visit—what a visitor called “nowhere else is better” for understanding apartheid history
Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 7 km off Cape Town’s coast, spans 5 km² and is famously known for its political prison, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years incarcerated. 🚌 The Tour Experience
- Catch the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront at scheduled times (09:00, 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00).
- Ferry crossing takes ~30 minutes. On the island, a guided bus tour visits the leper graveyard, lime/quarry sites, WWII bunkers, Robert Sobukwe’s house, and the maximum-security prison.
- Guides are often former inmates, offering deep personal insight.
📷 Highlights
- Mandela’s cell—heart-wrenching and foundational
- Kramat shrine, lighthouse, and diverse wildlife: penguins, seals, birds, and small mammals
⏰ Practical Info
- Tours last about 3.5 hours including ferry; best to book morning slots and in advance—especially in peak Nov–Mar season.
- Foreign visitors pay ~R600 (adults) / R310 (children); South African rates ~R400 / R210.
- Tours run daily, weather permitting—ferry cancellations possible with strong winds .
- Bring ID (must match ticket), wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and warm layers .
🎓 Why Visit?
- Walk in Mandela’s footsteps and connect with authentic history
- Hear powerful testimony from ex-prisoners
- Explore multi-layered heritage: prison, hospital, military base, Muslim shrine
- Encounter island wildlife amid rugged coastal landscapes
- A profound reflection on resilience, democracy, and reconciliation
✅ Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Robben Island, 7 km from V&A Waterfront |
| Included in ticket | Ferry ride, guided bus + walking tours, Nelson Mandela's cell |
| Duration | ~3.5 hours |
| Cost (Intl) | ~R600 adult, R310 child |
| Best Time to Go | Mornings, Nov–Mar (peak), book ahead |
Robben Island isn’t just a site—it’s a deeply moving journey into South Africa’s past. A must-visit—what a visitor called “nowhere else is better” for understanding apartheid history