Robben Island Museum
Robben Island Museum
4
About
During the apartheid years Robben Island served as a prison for political activists.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from R 1 250,00
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
6 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- George2812Athens, Greece511 contributionsHistorical part of South AfricaThe tour lasts almost 5 hours (transportation included). The cost is about 30€ per person. The boat depends a lot on the weather so I did a late booking like 1 hour before boat's departure. By the time you arrive island's tourist guides take care of you, firstly by bus and then on foot. The guides were amazing and the most interesting part was that the one guide was prisoner the same time with Mandela. Worths visiting.Visited March 2023Travelled soloWritten 24 March 2023
- WWKelly101 contributionsDo ItThis was “off season”, but so many people. Be prepared for a lot of sitting on a bus, and listening to the bus guide speaking in static, hard to understand, descriptions of this very important place. Depending on which bus you’re on, you’ll eventually get to the prison compound. Bear trough it, and you will be rewarded.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 March 2023
- MisterBLeicestershire, United Kingdom34 contributionsA good value, thought provoking visit.A good value and thought provoking visit to this island prison. Involves both bus and foot travel on the island including guidance from a former inmate. The visit includes a 30-40 minute boat trip each way with fantastic views of Cape Town, Table Mountain etc. Allow 3-4 hours in total. Not to be missed.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 April 2023
- ScoutwonderworldMontrose, Colorado192 contributionsVery interesting. Must see this to understand what happened here.I highly recommend Me d this tour. We bought tickets direct from the terminal at the marina. It’s easy to do. I recommend going the day before to book because it does sell out. Our guide was a prisoner at the prison and told us his experience. Very moving and insightful to what happened there. The history of the island was very I retesting as it has been fought over for hundreds of years and prisons for many different rulers. The ferry was rough I suggest sitting in the lower deck in the middle if you’re prone to seasickness.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 April 2023
- Gill PEdinburgh, United Kingdom95 contributionsOK but could learn from Alcatraz ToursWas ok but could learn a thing or two from Alcatraz. You weren’t given enough time to look round some of the cells etc and a lot of the interesting signs in the cells referred to items that were not actually on display ! Great views back to Cape Town from the boat.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 July 2023
- Jacques-Antoine BoucherQuebec City, Canada6 contributionsOnly if you have nothing else to doPresentation dull and unsurprising. The boat to get there was a little over an hour late which delayed the entire schedule for the day. The presentation of the prison, although made by a former prisoner, did not really present what it was. Nelson Mendla's cell is not displayed and therefore people who were interested could not see it. Very few written explanations or new facts learned during this visit. We learn very little or nothing about apartheid, the condition of the prisoners, their daily lives and the history of the island. It was ok but it's more like a tourist trap employing Nelson Mandela notoriety.Visited July 2023Written 3 August 2023
- Keith CTauranga, New Zealand40 contributionsRobben Island tourThe tour was excellent. The crossing from V&A waterfront to Robben Island is weather dependent. The ferry had been cancelled for the previous few days. We were lucky and had booked a good day. There is a coach pick up on Robben island and we were taken to a small cafe with great views over to Cape Town then on to the prison where we met our guide, an ex prisoner. The tour was eye opening and interesting. Tips were welcomed.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 August 2023
- Kim B37 contributionsInefficient ferry/bus system and hard to hear commentary at the prisonWe rarely review an experience negatively but this was one of our least favorite things we did in Cape Town. After purchasing our tickets on-line, we queued up for the ferry. It was a long process to board, but the ride itself was pleasant. Upon arrival, everyone is directed to buses. The commentary is fine and there is a 15 min stop. The visit to the prison itself was disappointing. It was very hard to hear the ex-prisoner with everyone from the bus in a concrete room - he spoke softly, children were talking, people are moving around the rooms. Small wireless microphones would have provided a better experience. We couldn't hear about 50% of what the man was saying unfortunately. We were on the first bus to depart and thus the first bus to arrive back at the pier. We waited over an hour before the ferry arrived for the return trip. There is a gift shop, no food, and nowhere to sit. Felt like we wasted a lot of time just standing around.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 August 2023
- charliesangeltooKuwait81 contributionsAn Important place to visit.If you research and know what to expect from this trip it can be very informative and enjoyable. I was worried after reading the reviews but happy to report we had a great time. Make sure you book each person under their own name (I didnt with my kids and had to register again before boarding the boat) and take ID which I must have missed in the confirmation email. Anyway boat trip is 30 min and a bit choppy but once we arrived our lovely guide took us diectly to the prison on foot. He was wonderful and we really enjoyed his life story, told with warmth and humour. We toured the grounds with our guide and saw Nelson Mandela's garden area and cell block. Tips are welcomed for the guide. You then take the short bus trip around the island. My husband sat at the front and reported that he could not hear the guide because he was under the speaker. I sat a few rows back and heard the information clearly. We saw springbok running through the quarry and had a nice little leg stretch near the lighthouse, enjoying views of Cape Town and Table mountain. All in all I am happy that we completed this trip because of the glimpse into the history. Even my 10 & 13 year old said they found it interesting and didn't complain at all. I have been to Alcatraz Prison in SanFran and Robben Island would do well to adopt the headphone style information system, plus we would have loved to wander the island unattended, but I guess they have their reasons. If you enjoy history, this is a must for you!Visited August 2023Written 25 August 2023
- Susanna LWellington, New Zealand37 contributionsMust-do in Cape TownWe had the guided walking tour. It was 6 hours and we did it in January (very hot). Very informative tour and good to know the fight of human rights in South Africa. The tour was comprehensive and educational, it also included settlement and conservation work on the island.Visited January 2023Travelled with familyWritten 31 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
8 665 reviews
Excellent
4 075
Very good
2 299
Average
1 245
Poor
587
Terrible
459
Peter Frater
Deal, UK48 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
An amazing insight to the anti-apartheid movement and well worth doing. Extremely educational. However there appears to be no attempt to keep to schedules. They are very strict in their information about the time you must be there but they are much more laid-back about their delivery. We booked the 3pm tour which eventually left at 3.50pm. Instead of returning at about 6.30 it therefore docked at 7.30pm. Some customers did not wait for the tour as they feared they would get back too late to get to the airport for their flight home and several others complained they had missed their dinner reservations. We had to reschedule our 8pm dinner reservation to 8.30. The following day I sat in the harbour and watched the ferry depart about 30 minutes later than scheduled, so clearly not a one-off. It shouldn’t be that difficult to keep to a timetable. It’s a worthwhile experience but spoilt by the casual approach to timing.
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liliya G
2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Really not worth the time and money spent. The whole tour is extremely politicised and basically built on one persona (guess who). I expected to hear more of history and less of anti-white racism. The island actually has so many stories to tell, but I felt like I was more knowledgeable on the subject than the guide. Definitely not going to take my kids there, don't want any 'white guilt' imposed on them, especially for our own money :D
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty B
Nashville, TN1 472 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We booked our trip with Jarat Tours. We were told we did not need a guide as the island provided that. Jaret got our tickets and took us to the dock. We found that worthwhile as we were not sure about the area or where to go exactly. Our guide took us to the front of the ticket line and we got on the boat. Jarat was great, instead of trying to sell us a tour guide when we didn't need, they gave us honest advice that we appreciated. She was waiting for us when we returned and took us to Table Mtn. I can't say enough about having advance tickets to these very busy attractions.
We boarded the boat and were taken to the island. It is a great ride with great views. The boat was full and it took about 40 minutes. The film they showed on board was informative and interesting. We then got buses to go to the prison. Very sobering to hear from an actual inmate and see the cells and facilities.
We saw Mandela's cell among other interesting places around the prison. Then back on the bus to see the living quarters of staff, leper graveyard, and quarry. Back to the dock for the ride back to the dock.
This is a must do for sure. The view of the island is really something to see.
We boarded the boat and were taken to the island. It is a great ride with great views. The boat was full and it took about 40 minutes. The film they showed on board was informative and interesting. We then got buses to go to the prison. Very sobering to hear from an actual inmate and see the cells and facilities.
We saw Mandela's cell among other interesting places around the prison. Then back on the bus to see the living quarters of staff, leper graveyard, and quarry. Back to the dock for the ride back to the dock.
This is a must do for sure. The view of the island is really something to see.
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom W
Leicester, UK4 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
The ferries were delayed going there AND back, meaning that we spent 4 hours travelling for a 2 hour tour. Speaking of which, the bus’ visibility was terrible - there were people scrambling over each other to take photos through the peep holes. The tour guide inside the prison drivelled on about his unfortunate marital affairs, so we learned nothing about Nelson Mandela’s time there. Complete sh*t!
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelfanaticsUK
UK278 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We booked the Robben Island Museum tour in January 24 for a tour on February 18th. On the morning of the 18th we got an email saying our tour had been cancelled for 'technical reasons'. It gave an email address to use to ask for a refund. We've emailed twice and had no response at all, so beware.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GekAfrika
Merelbeke, Belgium5 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
For the visit you need to take a ferry. Ours was cancelled twice. Once you do make it to the island, you can walk 100 metres along overpriced shops. We were stuffed in a bus, driven around the island with a guide, that wasn’t friendly and informative at all. At a very nice viewing point of Cape Town, we halted for about 10 minutes, again there was a small shop with very high prices and a non friendly service. Once we reached the prison itself, a continued trip with the bus. The guide spend most of the time in a dormitory, then quickly walking us through the corridors, the courtyard and Mandela’s cell. Leading us back out, past the expensive shops on to the ferry.
Apparently the quality of the visit depends on the guide you are allocated, looks like we had a bad draw.
Apparently the quality of the visit depends on the guide you are allocated, looks like we had a bad draw.
Written 20 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mojoblue717
Manchester, UK2 967 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
To start this Review I need to make some relevant points for my Readers. Firstly, whilst this visit is something anyone visiting Capetown should make, your enjoyment of the tour must be governed by a number of factors. Firstly Robben Island is only visitable by boat, which takes at least 30/35 minutes to reach from V&A Waterfront, and is the same time back; these ferries carry 250 people & are usually full. Their are only 4 boat trips each way per day, so your visit is governed by these timings, and the maximum time you will have on the Island is 2.25/2.5 hrs. This creates a feeling of being rushed, but it seems that there is little that can be done about it. Finally remember that this place was never built as a tourist attraction, so the facilities on the Island are limited. The place is now treated by the organisers as a Museum. Provided that you can come to terms with these factors, then you will find your trip interesting, thought provoking and worthwhile. The next point to make is that unless you can afford to pay for your own personal tour, you will like my wife & myself do it in a large group to a set pattern. The best & cheapest way is to purchase a ticket direct from the R I ticket office, either on line or at the V & A itself. However, as there can be no guarantee of place availability on the day, I recommend as we did to book on line a couple of days beforehand. You are asked to get to the Ferry Terminal 30/45 minutes before the sailing, the Ferry departs at 9am, 11am,1pm & 3pm.; we caught the 11am. The Ferry is a large Catamaran, carrying up to 250 passengers. We sat in comfortable seats downstairs, and watched an interesting film about the background to the Island & its uses during the crossing. On arrival at Murray Harbour, you are split into groups, and allocated to a single decker tour bus with a guide, who we found quite lucid & informative. After a short drive you reach the main Detention Block where you disembark and are introduced to another guide, who will be an ex prisoner who will then take you on an approx 1 hour tour of the block. Our guide was Bafo, who spent the latter part of the 80s & early 90s on the Island and had met Mandela. We found him very informative, a good communicator and always answered questions. The tour took in not only the cell blocks, latrines, stores,etc, but also the Kitchens & excercise yards, finished in the solitary confinement block where Mandela was held for all those years. Seeing how small & sparsely furnished his cell was (he had no bed, just a straw mat on the floor) really hit home. Then it was back on the bus for a tour of what is a much larger Island than I imagined. Of course, the Island was a Leper Colony for many years & we saw their graveyard, also the Quarry, the small village, with 2 churches & a school, used by the warders. including a Social Club!!! We made a number of stops on the tour with good info from our guide, but never got off other than for a short comfort & photo stop & the time went very quickly. Yes, like many others would have liked more time there, but we had to get back to the harbour for 2pm, for the Ferry back to V & A. In summary a really interesting trip, very informative with lots of long lasting memories. Highly Recommended
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin J
Curepipe15 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
I understand, it's an island 6.9 km away from Bloombergstrand. It's just, island tour good, but the prison section can get very boring. Water can hydrate you. Should use seaplanes instead of boats. I got very boatsick when back at V&A waterfront.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beegal
Iowa City, IA173 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is one crowded tour - they really pack in the people, crowded onto the ferry, packed onto buses, and there were so many touring the prison that it was difficult to get close enough to the guide to hear him. I'm not sure it was worth the money and a half day. And if it's a hot day, the only respite is standing in the cool gift shop until the return ferry is ready to board.
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maps57800600680
2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Sadly not a good tour experience, half an hour of being cattled into a queuing system to board boat, need passport/ID to board even though produced to purchase ticket on previous day!
Information given on bus was good, guide was excellant, sadly let down by very poor facilities, 4 toilets for the 6 coaches being boarded from boat, a drive around the island on coach followed with 5 minute comfort break, two toilets here and a temporary one, not adequate for so many visitors and not particularly clean due to constant use. After the whistle stop bus ride a visit to the prison blocks. Very informative and guided by an ex political prisoner, he has limited options for employment due to his criminal record and cannot afford to live on mainland. He gave a very thought provoking talk, a shame that it seems he is now a prisoner of circumstance (my thoughts not his).
If he wasn't working here he would potentially be homeless, not sure what will happen to him when he is unable to guide tours, the ex political prisoners have never received promised compensation?
Have spent nearly a month in SA a beautiful country and have encountered only friendly people, all the people hosting the tour were indeed friendly, it has sadly been let down by being cattled through in a rushed manner with inadequatee facilities.
A memorable visit, but not for the intended reasons. I don't expect much will change we only potentially ever get to make one visit, a shame it did not allow time to reflect in the environment we came to learn from.
Information given on bus was good, guide was excellant, sadly let down by very poor facilities, 4 toilets for the 6 coaches being boarded from boat, a drive around the island on coach followed with 5 minute comfort break, two toilets here and a temporary one, not adequate for so many visitors and not particularly clean due to constant use. After the whistle stop bus ride a visit to the prison blocks. Very informative and guided by an ex political prisoner, he has limited options for employment due to his criminal record and cannot afford to live on mainland. He gave a very thought provoking talk, a shame that it seems he is now a prisoner of circumstance (my thoughts not his).
If he wasn't working here he would potentially be homeless, not sure what will happen to him when he is unable to guide tours, the ex political prisoners have never received promised compensation?
Have spent nearly a month in SA a beautiful country and have encountered only friendly people, all the people hosting the tour were indeed friendly, it has sadly been let down by being cattled through in a rushed manner with inadequatee facilities.
A memorable visit, but not for the intended reasons. I don't expect much will change we only potentially ever get to make one visit, a shame it did not allow time to reflect in the environment we came to learn from.
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yesterday I managed to secure a date & gave Id numbers of people travelling with me but was not able to provide id number of just one of them, now i cannot reach that place where I can complete writing.
Scoutwonderworld
Montrose, CO192 contributions
I do not know. We bought our tickets at the pier the day before we wanted to go.
Total price of money to visit Robben island
Scoutwonderworld
Montrose, CO192 contributions
I don't remember either. Everything was extremely affordable due to our excellent exchange rates. I honestly never looked at prices of anything while i was there which sounds crazy because it’s usually crazy expensive in a lot of countries but this is an excellent country to visit and experience all things luxurious. Don’t Miss Robben Island. It is truly a must do.
imolinar
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates593 contributions
If the tour is cancelled, when do you know? Do they call, sms,etc?. Thanks
Dear Carol,
If a tour to Robben Island is unexpectedly cancelled, they swiftly communicate through the provided contact details. Typically, they courteously call or send an informative SMS to your reservation phone number.
To stay updated about your eagerly awaited tour, regularly check the official websites for Robben Island tickets:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co .za
These websites offer precise and current information, and you can conveniently reserve tickets there.
For any unforeseen changes, they'll promptly post updates, so keep a vigilant eye before your scheduled tour date.
I wish you an undeniably wonderful experience on your visit to historically significant Robben Island.
Best regards,
Escape28248697184
Cape Town Central, South Africa
Hellow just wonna know how much is the tour for learners(11 year
).
Hello,
Find cost-effective tour prices for enthusiastic learners aged 11 to Robben Island on:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co .za
Visit these websites for precise and current info about captivating tour prices designed for young learners. They are authorized, trustworthy, and all-inclusive platforms to conveniently reserve tickets and discover tour details.
Enjoy exploring and acquiring knowledge on your visit to historically significant Robben Island!
Best regards,
Debbie M
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
Hi Francis,
I'm going to book a trip to Robben Island in 2 weeks but I wanted to ask you the price. Is it really 1400 rand for adults? It seems a bit steep.
Thank you,
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
The cost for adults to visit Robben Island is currently more than 1400 rand, as stated on the Robben Island ticket booking websites:
1. w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
2. w w w . robbenislandtickets . co .za
You can visit these websites to confirm the current price and book your trip accordingly. If you have any other questions or need further information, feel free to reach out.
Wishing you a memorable experience on your visit to Robben Island!
Best regards,
Francis
Wanderer24906878634
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hi. where do I book a ticket to robben island and how much?
Hi,
Reserve a ticket to Robben Island through the user-friendly ticket booking websites:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co . za
Explore the websites for up-to-date ticket availability and prices. Enjoy your visit to Robben Island!
Best regards,
Wanderer24906878634
Johannesburg, South Africa
Hi. where do I book a ticket to robben island and how much?
Hi,
Secure a ticket to Robben Island through the ticket booking websites:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co . za
Browse these websites for current ticket availability and prices. Have a delightful experience on your visit to Robben Island!
Best regards,
HLL132015
Reading, UK59 contributions
Is it worth pre booking or can you book on the day from the terminal ?
To ensure a spot, pre-purchase tickets to Robben Island in advance. Tickets sell out rapidly, especially during peak seasons. Visit the source ticket booking websites:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co .za
Booking ahead guarantees a confirmed ticket and a seamless visit to Robben Island.
Good luck and explore the historically meaningful site; pre-purchase your tickets for an unforgettable visit.
How mch is the whole price for entry and the boat please
Find the complete and budget-friendly price for admission to historically significant Robben Island, including the scenic boat journey, on the official ticket booking websites:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co . za
Explore these user-friendly websites for precise and up-to-date ticket prices. Make reservations easily and find details about the enlightening tour packages.
Wishing you an unforgettable and enriching experience on your visit to Robben Island!
Best regards,
how do i book a tour and ferry boat to Robben Island?
To reserve a fascinating tour and scenic ferry trip to Robben Island, visit the official ticket booking websites:
w w w . robbenislandtickets . com
w w w . robbenislandtickets . co . za
Easily make bookings for enriching tours and breathtaking ferry journeys. Find all the necessary details about captivating packages and ticket options.
Secure your place and have an unforgettable experience on your visit to historically significant Robben Island!
Best regards,
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingRobben Island Museum, Cape Town Central
Frequently Asked Questions about Robben Island Museum
- Robben Island Museum admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost R 1 317,16, while a popular guided tour starts around R 568,33 per person.
- Hotels near Robben Island Museum:
- (9.44 km) Bentley’s Guesthouse
- (8.05 km) The Sir David Boutique Guest House
- (12.45 km) Blackheath Lodge
- (12.52 km) Atlantic Beach Villa
- (11.52 km) Dolphin Inn Guesthouse, Mouille Point
- Restaurants near Robben Island Museum:
- (12.38 km) Gibson's Gourmet Burgers & Ribs
- (12.40 km) Mozambik V & A Waterfront
- (9.92 km) Homespun
- (12.40 km) Karibu Restaurant
- (13.59 km) Osteria Tarantino
- Attractions near Robben Island Museum:
- (12.38 km) Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- (8.59 km) Cape Prosperous Tours
- (9.17 km) African Moon Adventures
- (9.08 km) Loisico Tours and Excursions
- (8.32 km) Surf Big Bay