Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour
Description
Visit Robben Island with a pre-booked ferry ticket from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. This official shared museum experience includes the return ferry crossing, island bus tour, and guided prison visit, including the historic prison where Nelson Mandela was held. Ideal for travellers who want a simple, ticket-only way to experience Robben Island. Hotel transfers are not included. - Pre-booked Robben Island ferry ticket from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront - Return ferry crossing from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island - Official guided Robben Island Museum tour included - Visit the historic maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela was held - Learn from an official museum guide or former political prisoner - See key island landmarks, including the prison, lime quarry and historic sites - Avoid the stress of trying to secure Robben Island tickets on your own
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, check your ticket details, complete boarding procedures and prepare for the ferry crossing to Robben Island. (30-minutes) Travel by shared ferry from Cape Town across Table Bay to Robben Island. Weather and sea conditions may affect ferry operations. (30-minutes)
Join the official shared island bus tour and see important historical landmarks connected to Robben Island’s political, military and social history. Walk through the historic prison complex with an official Robben Island Museum guide. Learn about the history of the prison and its conditions of life experienced by the political prisoners, and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment journey on the island. End off with the Long March to Freedom in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela.
After this enlightening historical tour you will board the return ferry to the V&A Waterfront, where the experience ends back at the original meeting point.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
- Kindly note that this offer is for International travellers. (Non South Africans)
- If South Africans purchase this ticket at their own accord we would require their ID numbers and full names of everyone in the group.
- Please bring your identity document copy with you on your mobile phone.
Reviews(188)
My ticket was cancelled less than 24 hours before the trip - with no real explanation. My friends, who also booked through Viator, did not have their trips cancelled. I then had to struggle to get my trip refunded, as it had been cancelled within the 24 hour refund window. However I did eventually manage to get it refunded.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for bringing this matter to our attention. We are truly sorry to hear that your booking was cancelled less than 24 hours before your scheduled tour, and that the situation was not clearly explained at the time. We completely understand how frustrating and disappointing this must have been, especially when travel plans are carefully arranged in advance. We also regret the inconvenience you experienced while processing your refund. Even though we are glad to hear that your refund was eventually successfully completed, we fully appreciate that the process should have been smoother and more clearly communicated from the start. Please be assured that cancellations at such short notice are not handled lightly, and we will be reviewing this case internally to better understand what happened and why your booking was affected while similar bookings were not. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we are committed to providing reliable service, clear communication, and fair treatment for all guests. Your feedback is important in helping us improve our booking coordination and customer support processes. Thank you again for your honest review. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and hope we may have the opportunity to provide you with a more seamless and positive experience in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
This was such a amazing experience! Our guide was amazing. He shared his story with great passion. A truly special experience.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for your kind review and for choosing Beyond Africa Safaris for your Cape Town tour experience. We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience and that your guide made the day so special for you. It is wonderful to know that his storytelling and passion helped bring the journey to life and created a meaningful and memorable experience. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves on offering professionally guided Cape Town sightseeing tours where our guides share not only knowledge but also personal insight and passion for the region, making each tour unique and engaging. Thank you once again for your feedback and support. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable Cape Town sightseeing tour or South African safari adventure in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
What an eye opening and educational experience this was. Our prison tour guide, Derek Basson, shared not only his personal experience as a prisoner in the late 80/early 90s, but many stories of Nelson Mandela and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, who was the founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Tears came to my eyes hearing the injustices prisoners faced during their time at the prison. Although it was a sobering experience it was worth the visit.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a heartfelt and meaningful review of your experience with Beyond Africa Safaris. We are truly moved to hear how impactful and educational your visit was. Experiences such as these offer a powerful opportunity to reflect on South Africa’s history, resilience, and journey toward freedom. We are especially pleased to hear that Derek Basson’s personal stories and insights created such a memorable and emotional connection to the experience. Learning about the lives of iconic figures such as Nelson Mandela and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, while hearing firsthand accounts of life during those difficult years, makes a Robben Island tour and historical Cape Town experience deeply meaningful for many visitors. We understand that it can be an emotional and sobering journey, and we are grateful to know that despite this, you found the visit worthwhile and enriching. At Beyond Africa Safaris, we are committed to offering authentic Cape Town cultural tours, meaningful historical experiences, and guided journeys that leave a lasting impact on our guests. Thank you once again for your thoughtful feedback. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable Cape Town tour or South African travel experience in the future. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
As a history buff, this was a must see, and finally made it there on my 3rd trip to Cape Town. The view was great, even saw some penguins. But the tour was a bit random be shuttled around on a bus, only to be kept in a room with a guide that gave us a spiel that gave very little information about the island prison or its history, but may have qualified as a political pitch for the EFF party. Really had to bite my tongue.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback regarding your recent visit. We are pleased to hear that you were able to enjoy the stunning views and even spot some penguins during your tour, as these moments are certainly highlights of a trip to Cape Town. At the same time, we sincerely apologize that the structure and content of the tour did not meet your expectations. We strive to provide informative and well-organized experiences that reflect the rich history of each site, and it is disappointing to hear that the historical context and depth of information regarding the island prison were lacking. Your observations regarding the pacing and delivery of the guide’s presentation are very valuable, and we will use them to review and improve our tour content and training for guides. Our goal is always to ensure that each client gains meaningful insights and a comprehensive understanding of the historical significance of the places we visit, while maintaining a neutral and professional perspective. We genuinely appreciate your candidness, as constructive feedback like yours allows us to make important improvements. We hope that despite these challenges, you were still able to enjoy the unique aspects of your visit, and we would welcome the opportunity to provide you with a more informative and engaging experience on a future trip. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
"My name is Modise" I have mentioned before the importance of recognizing amazing hospitality, today was such a day while visting Robben Island. Modise, our outstanding guide, who was a prisoner on the island for five years, spoke with authority and power about the time he spent incarcerated along with Nelson Mandela. You could hear a pin drop as he described their harrowing lives as political prisoners under the apartheid regime. Tears came to our eyes as he recalled the torture he endured at the hands of his captors. As our tour came to an end he thanked us for visiting his country and the opportunity to give us an insight into his life as a prisoner. It was a very humbling experience and one we shall remember forever.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review. We are truly honored that Modise was able to provide such a powerful and moving insight into his experiences on Robben Island. His courage, knowledge, and personal perspective on life under apartheid clearly left a lasting impression, and it is deeply meaningful to hear how the tour touched you. We are grateful for your thoughtful reflections and hope that this humbling experience remains a memorable part of your journey in South Africa. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
The day we went it was exceptionally hot (103F/39C) and that unfortunately affected the experience. The ferry ride was about 45 minutes, and we saw many seals and even whales on the journey. The boat was pretty packed, so you want to try to get on early to get a good seat. Sit up top for breeze and better visibility. Upon arrival, you're loaded onto buses for a tour of the island. The buses have no air conditioning, no fans, and the seats are 5 across and very tight. They waited until every seat was full. If you're over 6 feet tall or are wide, you'll be VERY uncomfortable. Further, it's difficult to see across the people next to you and forget about pictures unless you have a prime seat. The state really needs to use an open-air bus or one that is more suited for a tour. That would greatly improve the experience. The prison tour was interesting. Our tour guide actually spent time in the prison, even overlapping with Mandela, and had many stories to tell. He was easily the highlight of the tour and I could have listened to him all day. The prison itself was smaller than I thought and there were fewer pictures, etc. than I anticipated. There is a gift shop, but the island itself did not have places for food/drink, so please keep that in mind since your tour may span normal lunch hours.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for sharing such a detailed review of your experience. We appreciate your observations about the weather and the ferry and bus conditions, and we understand how these factors can impact comfort, especially on exceptionally hot days. Your suggestions regarding bus improvements are valuable and help us advocate for better experiences in the future. We’re glad to hear that the prison tour was a highlight and that your guide, with his personal history and stories, made the visit so engaging. It’s also helpful that you shared practical advice regarding seating, food, and timing, which will benefit future guests. We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour under more comfortable conditions. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
This was great. Educational. Inspiring. Infuriating. Our guide in the prison, former inmate Max, was really great, as was the film on the ferry.
Dear Valued Client, Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re pleased to hear that you found the experience educational and inspiring, and that Max, as your guide, added so much value with his knowledge and perspective. We’re also glad the ferry film complemented your visit and enhanced your understanding of the history. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope this experience stays with you as a meaningful part of your time in South Africa. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
The tour itself was a wonderful experience. We watched an informative video that played during the ferry ride. Once we arrived on the island, we were split into two groups. Our group did a walking tour of the grounds with an English speaking guide. Our guide, Max, was a former prisoner on Robben Island and provided great insight into his experience there and the history of the island. He was very passionate about sharing his story and we enjoyed our time with him. Next, our group boarded a bus and did a driving tour of other sections of the island. During the bus ride, another English speaking guide shared more information with us about the island. The ride ended back near the ferry area where we stopped at the gift shop before boarding the ferry back. Although the tour was great, I give this experience low stars because we paid $82 USD per person. I found out after the fact that we could have booked this directly with the Robbens Island Museum website for 600 Rand per person, which is only about $35 USD. I suggesting saving your money and booking with the museum website directly.
Delayed sailing, kept hundreds of people waiting in non air conditioned glass waiting area, people nearly passing out. Aparantly this is normal!, stick to departure times, it’s not complicated
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your Robben Island ferry experience. We sincerely apologize for the delays and the discomfort caused while waiting in the non-air-conditioned area. We understand how stressful this must have been, and we agree that timely departures are essential for a positive experience. We are addressing this with the ferry operators to ensure better adherence to schedules and improved guest comfort in the future. Your feedback is important in helping us advocate for a smoother experience for all visitors. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
The crossing is boring (there are no explanations/descriptions) and the ships offer zero comfort (no food and nothing to drink). Once on the island you are driven across the island like a flock of sheep. The buses are totally outdated and not suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. The staff are not helpful either. People with a stroller had to move it from the front to the back of the bus and received no help from the staff. Also, the staff did not ask the passengers in the front rows if they could make room for the family with the stroller. Other historical sites or landmarks handle this much, much better. See, for example, Table Mountain. This trip was a complete disappointment. Not an experience you like to remember. The management belongs replaced or the management of Table Mountain should take care of this matter.
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We understand how important comfort, clear communication, and accessibility are when visiting iconic attractions such as Robben Island. The ferry crossing and the guided bus tour form a significant part of the overall experience, and we regret that you found the journey lacking in explanation, comfort, and assistance particularly regarding stroller access and staff support. Your concerns about organization and accessibility are valid, and we completely understand how this would impact your overall impression of the visit. We also note your comparison to Table Mountain, which sets a high standard for visitor experience in the region. While operations at Robben Island are managed independently, guest feedback such as yours is extremely important, and we will ensure that your comments are formally shared with the relevant management team for review. Please accept our sincere apologies for the disappointment you experienced. This is certainly not the level of experience we aim for our guests to have, and we truly appreciate you bringing these matters to our attention. Kind regards Albert Rocky Kasilembo Operations Manager Beyond Africa Safaris
