Day Trips

Robben Island Guided Prison Tour with Museum Entry & Round-Trip Ferry Transfers

4.2/5(153)

Helen C

Solo

Verified booking

4 days ago

If you are in Cape Town this tour is a must. We saw a whale on the journey out, penguins on the island but it was the guides who really make this tour. Their knowledge and experience are told from the heart - it's an incredibly moving experience.

Mark J

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

This was a great trip highlighting the dark past of South Africa. The guides were so knowledgeable and it was important to hear the backstory of the island. Would recommend.

David S

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

If you do nothing else in Cape Town do this, the testimony of the ex prisoners is very moving and it's impossible to comprehend what they went through.

Deanne F

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

After a gorgeous but chilly 30 minute boat ride out to Robin Island you feel how remote this place actually is. Our first tour guide Mapose (sp?) spoke to us about his experience while living in the prison with torture of incredibly barbaric types with such a moving story. Two have come out of what he came out of with such a positive and reinforced love of humanity is just incredible to me. He shared a lot of emotion on his sleeve. He gave us a lot of of the history of the island that I just don't know if I would've learned any other way. Then we were taken to the inside of the prison where we were shown the cells and the terrible conditions under which the people were kept. It was cold uninsulated, and downright inhumane. It's always good to look back at where we've come from, to see where we can go as human beings, and this journey was just an incredible reminder of the strength of spirit of people like Nelson Mandela, all those around him and those who came before. This Tour is a must see!

Nicoletta D

Solo

Verified booking

Jul 2026

I loved the power of the stories comimg frlm the guides, former prisoners in the island. There is no way to banalize or turistizise the journey. In their words, the accounts and the memories are political pedagogy. It is so incredible that the crimes committed in Robben Island are still ongoing in so many parts of the world today.

Ben C

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Wonderful tour of a this historic landmark. Your tour guides for the island are all former prisoners. As they are all aging , this will be the final years that their first hand experience can be passed down directly to us that follow. Don't miss the opportunity to hear their stories. Enlightening, moving ,and well done.

Sail from Cape Town to Robben Island on a half day trip that combines a scenic ferry ride, prison museum visit, and island bus tour in one ticket.

Benefit from skip the line entry and a moving guided tour led by a former political prisoner, with live commentary on the boat and island bus.

Visit the maximum security prison and museum, walk through former inmate cells and yards, and hear firsthand accounts of life under apartheid.

Board a guided bus for a narrated loop around Robben Island, taking in key landmarks, memorials, and sweeping views across Table Bay.

Upgrade your experience by adding hotel pickup from select Cape Town accommodations, so you reach the V&A Waterfront gateway relaxed and on time.

Shared Robben Island boat trip

Guided tour with a former prisoner

Robben Island museum tour admission ticket

Skip the ticket line access

Guided bus tour with live commentary

Hotel pickup (as per option selected)

Meals

Personal expenses

TOTAL DURATION4 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
Timeline
Map
Start point
2 starting points available
30 min
9 km
1. Robben Island
Tickets included
4 hr
5 attractions
Guided tour
A ferry ride across Table Bay brings you to one of South Africa's most significant historical sites. Guided by a resident Robben Island guide, you'll tour the island by bus and visit key landmarks that reveal its history as a prison, military outpost, leper colony, and symbol of the struggle for democracy.
Highlights
Robben Island Museum
Tickets included
40 min
Lepers' Cemetary
Free Admission
15 min
Robert Sobukwe's House
Free Admission
20 min
Lime Quarry
Free Admission
20 min
Blue Stone Quarry
Free Admission
20 min
End point
2 ending points available
Your ending point would be same as your start point

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

153 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Australia, United Kingdom and over 16 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Helen C
Solo
Verified booking
4 days ago
If you are in Cape Town this tour is a must. We saw a whale on the journey out, penguins on the island but it was the guides who really make this tour. Their knowledge and experience are told from the heart - it's an incredibly moving experience.
Mark J
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
This was a great trip highlighting the dark past of South Africa. The guides were so knowledgeable and it was important to hear the backstory of the island. Would recommend.
David S
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
If you do nothing else in Cape Town do this, the testimony of the ex prisoners is very moving and it's impossible to comprehend what they went through.
Dano P
Group
Verified booking
5 days ago
There were four of us, and not everyone understood English. Given 21st-century technology and resources, we would have liked to be able to understand all the information and personal accounts presented in our own language.
Kendall T
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Easy good communication from start to finish. Very responsive. Thank you.

Know before you go

What to bring

ID proof: Bring your passport or a copy for verification by Robben Island authorities.

Warm clothing: Bring a warm jacket, as sea conditions can be cold during the ferry ride.

Accessibility

Mobility access: This experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

What’s not allowed

Pets: Pets are not permitted on this experience.

Pregnancy: Pregnant travellers are not allowed to participate.

Infants on laps: Infants must not sit on laps, and infant seats are not available.

Additional information

Eligibility: This offer is for international travellers only; South African citizens should book directly with Robben Island.

Arrival time: Arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront at least 30 minutes before departure.

Participant details: Provide full names and dates of birth for all participants when booking.

Guided Tour + Hotel Pickup (variantId 101775 / tourId 97266) only: The child ticket policy below applies only to this option.

Child tickets: Child bookings are not available for the guided tour with hotel transfers option. All guests must book an adult ticket.

Amendments: Tickets cannot be amended or refunded once booked.

Cancellation policy: Bookings are non-refundable unless the boat trip is cancelled by Robben Island due to weather.

Ticket delivery: Tickets will be sent via WhatsApp, iMessage, or email, so ensure your contact details are correct.

Tour duration: The total experience, including the ferry ride and guided tour, lasts approximately 4 hours.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.