Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour in Cape Town
by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.R3,000Overview
The highlight of this shared boat tour is visiting the Robben Island Museum, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years. The tour includes a 30-minute ferry ride from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to the island. Upon arrival, guests join a guided bus tour led by a local expert, with stops for photos, restrooms, and light refreshments. Visitors hear a firsthand account from a former political prisoner, who leads a walk through the prison complex including Mandela’s original cell. The tour finishes with a walk along the Long Walk to Freedom path before returning by ferry to Cape Town. This tour lasts about four hours and includes the shared boat trip and museum admission. Transfers to and from the V&A Waterfront are not included. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure with passport identification ready for check-in. The ferry schedule depends on weather and sea conditions, and access to specific prison cells is controlled by the museum. This tour is available only to international travelers and is not wheelchair accessible.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Nelson Mandela Gateway departure
Guests should arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Robben Island Silo District at the V&A Waterfront 30 minutes before the scheduled departure with a copy of their passport either on their phone or as a physical document. This ticket-only product does not include hotel transfers. After boarding the shared ferry with other visitors, the boat crosses the sea for about 30 minutes to Robben Island Museum.
30 min
Robben Island Museum
After disembarking, visitors take a guided shared bus tour of the island led by a local guide. The tour includes a short stop for photos, restroom use, and light snacks. The guide explains the historical importance of the island and its landmarks. Guests then meet a former political prisoner who shares a personal account of apartheid-era imprisonment and leads the group inside the prison complex. The tour visits Nelson Mandela’s original cell, where he spent 18 years. Stories cover Mandela’s daily life and challenges during incarceration. The tour ends with a walk along the Long Walk to Freedom path, retracing Mandela’s steps before returning to the ferry.
3 min
Return ferry to Nelson Mandela Gateway
Following the museum tour, visitors board the ferry again for the 30-minute return trip to the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront.
30 min
Meeting point
Please go to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island near the Clocktower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront 30 minutes before the time on your ticket.
End point
Please arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. Guests must bring a copy of their passport, ID or identity document, either printed or saved on a mobile phone.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour in Cape Town
by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.R3,000Overview
The highlight of this shared boat tour is visiting the Robben Island Museum, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years. The tour includes a 30-minute ferry ride from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to the island. Upon arrival, guests join a guided bus tour led by a local expert, with stops for photos, restrooms, and light refreshments. Visitors hear a firsthand account from a former political prisoner, who leads a walk through the prison complex including Mandela’s original cell. The tour finishes with a walk along the Long Walk to Freedom path before returning by ferry to Cape Town. This tour lasts about four hours and includes the shared boat trip and museum admission. Transfers to and from the V&A Waterfront are not included. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure with passport identification ready for check-in. The ferry schedule depends on weather and sea conditions, and access to specific prison cells is controlled by the museum. This tour is available only to international travelers and is not wheelchair accessible.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Nelson Mandela Gateway departure
Guests should arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Robben Island Silo District at the V&A Waterfront 30 minutes before the scheduled departure with a copy of their passport either on their phone or as a physical document. This ticket-only product does not include hotel transfers. After boarding the shared ferry with other visitors, the boat crosses the sea for about 30 minutes to Robben Island Museum.
30 min
Robben Island Museum
After disembarking, visitors take a guided shared bus tour of the island led by a local guide. The tour includes a short stop for photos, restroom use, and light snacks. The guide explains the historical importance of the island and its landmarks. Guests then meet a former political prisoner who shares a personal account of apartheid-era imprisonment and leads the group inside the prison complex. The tour visits Nelson Mandela’s original cell, where he spent 18 years. Stories cover Mandela’s daily life and challenges during incarceration. The tour ends with a walk along the Long Walk to Freedom path, retracing Mandela’s steps before returning to the ferry.
3 min
Return ferry to Nelson Mandela Gateway
Following the museum tour, visitors board the ferry again for the 30-minute return trip to the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront.
30 min
Meeting point
Please go to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island near the Clocktower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront 30 minutes before the time on your ticket.
End point
Please arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. Guests must bring a copy of their passport, ID or identity document, either printed or saved on a mobile phone.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.