
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided worth booking?
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided is a 4-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $42 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (23)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $42 per person
Book our Robben Island tour for an unforgettable experience of South Africa’s history. We offer last-minute tickets and AVOID THE CROWN, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free visit to this iconic landmark. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!
What you get
About this experience
Book our Robben Island tour for an unforgettable experience of South Africa’s history. We offer last-minute tickets and AVOID THE CROWN, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free visit to this iconic landmark. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!
What's included
Included
- Tickets to Robben Island with return
- Ex prisoner guide on the island
- Entry/Admission - Robben Island Museum
What you'll see and do
Robben Island Museum
A tour of Robben Island provides an insightful look into South Africa's history, featuring Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, the quarry where prisoners worked, and impactful museum displays.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cape Town
Please meet your guide at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island at the V&A Waterfront. Kindly arrive 30 minutes before departure with your tickets and ID or passport.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet your guide at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island at the V&A Waterfront. Kindly arrive 30 minutes before departure with your tickets and ID or passport.
Options you can book
Robben Island Tour/last minute
International guests
South African Citizens/ID numb
South African Citizen/ID numb
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- CAPE COAST EXPLORE (PTY) LTD
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
23 verified traveler reviews for Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Robben Island
Very sombering experience learning about aparthied and the torture that has gone on in South Africa since the Dutch arrived in the 1600's. Both guides were excellent.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re glad the experience was meaningful and that both guides helped bring South Africa’s history to life. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Quite an experience
The boat ride was delightful, waiting to board was a little too long. But our guide on the bus ride was still quite angry with his experience and took a long time to explain ends up we didn’t have much time to view the jail rooms. He even demanded tip
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the boat ride and sincerely apologise for the long wait and your experience with the bus guide. We take your concerns seriously and will raise them with the relevant team to improve our service.
via Tripadvisor
Improve the ferry experience
Everything is wonderful on the tour except for the ferry ride! It was awful being jammed in and not able to take advantage of the stunning views. Our tour guide on the bus, Yasien Mohomed was so engaging and gave a wonderful tour. Our guide in the prison was also very interesting to listen to. Improve the ferry trip and I would give it 5 stars 🌟
Response from the operator: We’re delighted you enjoyed the tour and found Yasien and Robben Island guide engaging. We’re sorry the ferry was overcrowded and limited the views. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for a 5-star experience.
via Tripadvisor
Phenomenal excursion
From the pick up and the explanation of the tour, this trip was a great experience for me as a first time visitor to the Cape. I learned so much and I was guided wonderfully on how the experience would go. It was even more pleasant than depicted. I appreciate the invaluable lesson from the tour and the preparation for it. Great work!
Response from the operator: We're thrilled that your first visit to the Cape Town both enjoyable and informative. It means a great deal to know that the tour provided valuable insights and exceeded your expectations. Our goal is always to create memorable experiences while showcasing the beauty and history of the Cape. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon.
via Tripadvisor
Not sure what was gained...
Not sure what was gained by booking with viator (or any other third party) All the activity was done by robben Island. The groups going round the prison are so big that unless you stay close by the guide you don’t hear what he is saying
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you had the opportunity to visit Robben Island, a truly meaningful experience. While bookings through Viator help ensure a smooth and secured process, we understand that larger groups can sometimes affect how the tour is experienced. We appreciate your comment and will share them with the team as we continue working to enhance the overall experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $42 to $90
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by CAPE COAST EXPLORE (PTY) LTD, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.4.
See everything CAPE COAST EXPLORE (PTY) LTD runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided cost?
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Prices start at $42 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Hike Table Mountain or Lions Head in Cape Town Like a Local, Cape Point and Boulder's Penguins Full Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Included: Tickets to Robben Island with return; Ex prisoner guide on the island; and Entry/Admission - Robben Island Museum. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Please meet your guide at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island at the V&A Waterfront. Kindly arrive 30 minutes before departure with your tickets and ID or passport. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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Across 23 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Ex prisoner Guided?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Robben Island Tour/last minute, South African Citizens/ID numb. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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