Robben Island

Most tours depart from Cape Town and include transportation from city hotels, the boat trip to the island, and time at the former maximum security prison. Upon arrival on Robben Island, general tours start aboard a bus. Oftentimes, island tour guides are former political prisoners who can share information about South Africa’s history, as well as their own firsthand experiences. Custom and private tours are also available, while others combine a trip to the island with a Cape Town city tour or Table Mountain visit.

• The 30-minute ferry ride to the island can be choppy; plan accordingly if you’re prone to motion sickness.

• Arrive at least 45 minutes before your ferry departs to secure a spot and make your way to the boat.

• A guided Robben Island bus tour, including ferry rides, takes up to 4 hours.

• Food and drink are available for purchase on the island.

• Robben Island is wheelchair accessible, but some of the ramps are quite steep.

Robben Island is set in Table Bay, about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) off the coast of Cape Town. Ferries for general island tours depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and there are typically four departures each day. The Sea Princess is one of the few wheelchair-accessible ferry options.

Robben Island is open and accessible year-round, with ferries departing four times a day in good weather. To experience the island at its least crowded, and with the coolest weather, depart on the first tour of the day. Alternatively, opt for the final tour of the day.

Once on the island, you’ll be able to see human rights activist and former prisoner Robert Sobukwe’s house; a 17th-century limestone quarry where Mandela and others were put to work; a leper colony cemetery; and the Robben Island Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory and contributions of the freedom fighters who were once held within its walls. Some tours also include access to Mandela’s cell.

The cost of visiting Robben Island varies: South African residents always pay less than international tourists. The average rate for non-South African adults is around $31, while the cost for children is around $16. Note that the tour cost also includes round-trip ferry passage from mainland Cape Town.

A typical Robben Island tour takes around 3.5 hours. That estimate includes round-trip ferry transportation from Cape Town, as well as bus trips that depart from Murray’s Bay Harbour and take you to historical sights around the island. Note that ferry departures can vary depending on weather conditions.

Yes, Robben Island is open to tourists and has been since 1997, when it was turned into a museum and national monument. The island, formerly a penal colony and leper colony, is most famous for being home to the national security prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.

The best time to go to Robben Island is the first tour of the day, when it’s the least crowded. Make this booking at least several days in advance to secure your slot—particularly if you plan to visit during the September to April high season. Several tours depart each day.

Yes, you can visit Robben Island and Table Mountain on the same day. The average Robben Island visit takes about 3.5 hours, so there’s ample time to do both. To simplify your transportation, opt for a guided tour that visits both landmarks.

Technically, yes—some professionals do swim from Robben Island to Cape Town. The famed Freedom Swim is an annual tradition marking South Africa’s Freedom Day (April 27) and the country’s democracy. During the event swimmers paddle to Cape Town from Robben Island, tackling a route considered “the Everest of open-water swimming.”