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Historic site · Cidade do Cabo, Cabo Ocidental
Robben Island Museum
Prison island in Table Bay where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years; a World Heritage Site, visited with guides who were imprisoned there.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Robben Island Museum
Robben Island is in Table Bay, about 9 km by boat from the V&A Waterfront. Over nearly four centuries the island served as a prison, a leper colony and a military base. In the 20th century it became the maximum-security prison of the apartheid regime, where Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Robert Sobukwe and other anti-apartheid leaders were held. Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of incarceration there.
The prison closed in 1996 and the island became a museum. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, as a symbol of democracy's victory over oppression.
Visits are always guided. The boat departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway and takes about 30 minutes. On the island, a bus passes the lime quarry where prisoners worked, the house where Sobukwe was isolated, the old leper cemetery and the village. The final part, at the prison, is led by a former political prisoner and ends in Mandela's cell.
From the boat you can see the entire Table Mountain and the city head-on, one of the Cape's most famous views.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 3.5 to 4 hours, including the round-trip boat.
Best time
On the earliest departures of the day, when the sea is usually calmer. sailings are cancelled in rough seas, more common in winter; check on the day.
How to get there
The boat departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Clock Tower Precinct of the V&A Waterfront. The island is only reached via the museum's official departures.
Tip
Buy the ticket in advance on the official website and bring your passport. If you get seasick, be prepared for the crossing, which can be bumpy.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Robben Island Museum
How to visit Robben Island?
With the museum ticket, which includes the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, the island bus tour and the prison visit led by a former political prisoner.
How long does the Robben Island visit last?
About 3.5 to 4 hours, including the ferry.
Can you see Mandela's cell?
Yes. The prison tour ends at the cell where he was held.
Can the Robben Island ferry be cancelled?
Yes, due to rough seas. Check on the day and prefer the earlier departures.