Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa. Nobel Laureate and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before the fall of apartheid.
Robben Island Cape Town 7400 South Africa
All of the tour guides are former political prisoners ; very cool! Be sure to buy tickets well in advance online (I bought mine before I even arrived in Cape Town). Tour takes 4 hours with return.
Nelson Mandela’s former prison . Definitely worth seeing if you’re in Cape Town - learn some important history of the area and get some incredible views while you’re at it.
The guides are very informative and have personal connections to the history. Get to the ferry early for an outdoor seat/bonus views of Cape Town from the water.
Take a short boat ride from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island. Visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years as well as other historic monuments on the island .
Important historic island and museum . The power comes not only from the history, but from the former inmates who now guide you through the experience.
Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu were held here. Tours at 9am, 11am, and 1pm. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry ride . R250 ($18.08)
From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. It is a World Heritage Site, a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom. Read more
Robben Island is one of the most popular attractions that Cape Town has to offer. A ferry ride and tour of the Island are definitely recommended.
The presentations from former prisoners are great, but the whole experience can feel like a cattle market . Take plenty of water and be prepared to queue
Worth going to get a taste of history, but know that the ferries might run behind schedule and the tour is very scripted.
It's not a 'nice day out'. It's sobering, thought provoking, uncomfortable at times and hits hard. Sadly, as The Donald's rise attests - it's still so relevant. Everybody should make the trip here.
Take a tour to learn more about the history of political prisoners in South Africa.
Book your tickets well in advance for this once in a lifetime experience!
Rich, meaningful history. A must.
Experience shared by previous political prisoners
The talk from the old prisoners is okay. However, the bus ride is not spectacular and really quick. The talk inside the prison itself is quite okay but short . The nelson Mandela prison was not shown
Mandela's prison is a world heritage site to remind us we must fight unjustice. Make reservations in advance. (Ferries from V&A Waterfront )+27 (0) 21 413 4220http://www.robben-island.org.za/ Read more
At the end of your journey will feel sad of what people did there.
Nice historical place in Cape Town
After this surreal experience, I will also plan a trip to the Distric 6 museum to learn more about my coloured heritage...
, the bus ride is not spectacular and really quick. The talk inside the prison itself is quite okay but short . The nelson Mandela prison was not shown. Way too much money for what you
Having an ex-political prisoner as your guide is amazing
Very moving. Also has incredible views of Cape Town and Table Mountain .
very cool experience!
Avoid going on a bad weather. The waves can ve very scary.
One of the most inspirational trips u will take in ur lifetime
make sure to buy ticket in advance
The talk from the old prisoners
I felt the value of freedom once again
To human spirit and perseverance. A definite must be!
Try to take princess out there. The pirate boat is slow
Hell is other people
Just visiting
Both boats take a while to get you to the island . I found the tour staff annoying as I do with most guided tours . Its really just another prison but now I can say I have been there.
So boring and guides treat u like kids. We couldn't finish the tour coz of boredom. Dosent worth it.
AWFUL! YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR FKN TICKET TO LEAVE THE ISLAND ! REALLY? HOW THE FCK DO U THINK I GOT HERE?!! TICKET GIRL AT EXIT IS A FCKN BTCH !!!!
Ferries saem do Nelson Mandela Gateway, no V&A Waterfront às 9h, 11h, 13h e 15h. O tour leva por volta de 3h30, incluindo as viagens de ida e volta (30min cada trecho).
Muito interessante! Os guias foram prisioneiros na ilha na época em que Mandela ficou preso lá !
Da visitare in rigoroso silenzio
Saca las mejores fotos de table Mountain desde el ferry a Robben Island!
Vale a pena.
Lugar increíblemente poderoso!
Try to get yassin Mohammed as guide, brilliant speaker - marco maas
Memorable. Not to be forgotten. - Mutenda Tshipala
Take the guided tour it’s a must, very interesting even as a South African I found in very educational. A bit sad that it is not being maintained. - Terence Barkhuizen
Book in advance because they are sold out several days upfront. No chance if you come spontaneously - Tobias Weißenfels
The pile of stones at the front of the quarry was formed on 1995 when Mandela returned to the quarry as the first black President of South Africa. 1200 other former prisoners put their stones on top. - pɹoɟuɐs@