
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour
Traveler rating
3.1/5
Based on 189 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour worth booking?
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour is a 5-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $1500 per person. It scores 42 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.1/5 rating across 189 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 42 / 100
- Rating
- 3.1/5 (189)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $1500 per person
Visit Robben Island with a pre-booked ferry ticket from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. This official shared museum experience includes the return ferry crossing, island bus tour, and guided prison visit, including the histo
What you get
- Official shared island bus tour and Guided prison tour
- Admission fees
- Entrance fees
- Pre-booked ticket assistance
- Ticket delivery by WhatsApp, iMessage or Email where possible
About this experience
Visit Robben Island with a pre-booked ferry ticket from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. This official shared museum experience includes the return ferry crossing, island bus tour, and guided prison visit, including the historic prison where Nelson Mandela was held. Ideal for travellers who want a simple, ticket-only way to experience Robben Island. Hotel transfers are not included. - Pre-booked Robben Island ferry ticket from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront - Return ferry crossing from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island - Official guided Robben Island Museum tour included - Visit the historic maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela was held - Learn from an official museum guide or former political prisoner - See key island landmarks, including the prison, lime quarry and historic sites - Avoid the stress of trying to secure Robben Island tickets on your own
What's included
Included
- Official shared island bus tour and Guided prison tour
- Admission fees
- Entrance fees
- Pre-booked ticket assistance
- Ticket delivery by WhatsApp, iMessage or Email where possible
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport to and from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront
What you'll see and do
Arrive at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, check your ticket details, complete boarding procedures and prepare for the ferry crossing to Robben Island. (30-minutes) Travel by shared ferry from Cape Town across Table Bay to Robben Island. Weather and sea conditions may affect ferry operations. (30-minutes)
60 minutes here · Admission included
Robben Island Museum
Join the official shared island bus tour and see important historical landmarks connected to Robben Island’s political, military and social history. Walk through the historic prison complex with an official Robben Island Museum guide. Learn about the history of the prison and its conditions of life experienced by the political prisoners, and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment journey on the island. End off with the Long March to Freedom in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela.
180 minutes here · Admission included
After this enlightening historical tour you will board the return ferry to the V&A Waterfront, where the experience ends back at the original meeting point.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cape Town
Please arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. Guests must bring a copy of their passport, ID or identity document, either printed or saved on a mobile phone.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. Guests must bring a copy of their passport, ID or identity document, either printed or saved on a mobile phone.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This product is for international travellers. South African citizens and residents who qualify for local rates should book directly with Robben Island Museum if they wish to access local pricing.
- Robben Island ferry operations are weather dependent. If the ferry is cancelled by Robben Island Museum due to weather, sea conditions, operational reasons or safety concerns, guests will be assisted according to the cancellation or rescheduling policy available for the booking.
- The Robben Island experience is operated as a shared museum tour. Group size, ferry allocation, bus allocation, guide allocation, timing on the island, and access to specific areas are controlled by Robben Island Museum.
- Guests cannot enter every individual prison cell. Access is managed by Robben Island Museum for conservation, safety and crowd-control reasons.
- Please provide the correct mobile number, country code and email address when booking so that your ticket details can be sent to you.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 2+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 66
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd, who run 32 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.8 and 4 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd runsWhy this scores 42
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour: 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 & Guided Prison Tour cost?
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Prices start at $1500 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 & Guided Prison Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 & Guided Prison Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 42 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.1/5 across 189 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 & Guided Prison Tour?
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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 & Guided Prison Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour?
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Around 66 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Robben Island Pre-Booked Ferry Ticket & Guided Prison Tour 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 of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Day Tour from Cape Town, Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape point Day Tour, Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries. 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.
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