Robben Island Museum

This is an experience that will change your life and inform you about the long history of people imprisoned on the island from the 1680s through 1990. There was not a dry eye on the tour after the former prisoner who was also our tour guide gave his presentation. You will see the prison cell of Nelson Mandela. But please remember he was but one of tens of thousands who suffered in this prison. The psychic pain of the cruelty man inflicted upon man is very apparent in this space. The education on how individuals were given different treatment from clothing to meals based upon the race they were assigned based on physical characteristics at age 16 was extremely informative and heartbreaking. This is also the sorry of human beings from all walks of life sharing and developing each other while in prison. The doctor, lawyer, shop keepers who taught the young men many at the tender age of 14 so they would be educated is important. The great thoughts of the day which developed the nation’s constitution were discussed in these spaces of no human comforts yet the fierce intellectual spirit prevailed. This was by far the most important museum I have visited in a very long time.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to see where one of the most influential people in SA was imprisoned. The tour is very complete and covers most of the island. When you arrive, you are split into two groups. First you visit the prison where a former inmate takes you inside the prison and tells his story as it was. This was an incredible experience hearing from someone who was imprisoned and had so many rich stories and opinions to share. Next we went on a bus tour around the island to other key sites and stopped a few times for photos and lookout points. Please note, however, that this tour is NOT SHORT! The whole tour is about 4 hours from leaving the V&A Harbor to returning. It's well worth it, but it's worth knowing ahead of time.

This place is a must if you care for human rights and history and wanted to know a bit more about how a prisoner, Nelson Mandela and others, shaped the actual south African constitution while smashing limestone at the quarry. To get to the island you buy tickets online for 25 usd approx leaving from waterfront. Most boats have an upper deck open to admire the beauty of capetown while going to Robben Island, while just a few don't. The tour is given by former prisoners, and they for sure know the story and how was to be there on those years. Half o f the tour is walking in the prison and the other half is on bus through the island. I'd like to have the chance to hop on and off the bus ,but you can't.

A large boat takes tourists over to Robben Island, off the coast of Capetown, S Africa. Its approximately a 30 minute ride and can be rough, when in the open waters unprotected by the bay. Buses take groups around the island to see the quarry where prisoners toiled, the houses and other buildings for the staff and their families and lastly the tour of the prison, culminating in a walk past Nelson Mandela’s cell. Our guide was a former prisoner who told of his own experiences there, incarcerated at age 18. There was another former prisoner, with his family in our touring group- it was quite moving when the 2 men , one black, one white, recognized each other.

History so fresh.. To still be alive now and listen to those who lived the torture and pain of this world was heartbreaking. If you enjoy History, then you must visit this amazing Island. Our tour guide was excellent. I do advise to not book on the internet as the price is massively different compared to booking direct in the office, I recommend that you first attend the office and get booked on a trip as you might miss out if you arrive and expect to go straight away. Take plenty of water as there is no where to buy on the island. Enjoy a walk back in time.

An eye opening experience. The highlight is certainly to listen to individuals who have first hand experience of the hardships that were endured on this island. The tour consists of a 20 minutes boat ride (it's quite a rocky ride so make sure you sit near the edge of an aisle or at the back if you become easily nauseous), a 45 minute tour around the island on a coach and a 30 minute tour around the maximum security facility provided by an ex political prisoner. Really was a pleasure to meet the guides and would heartily recommend this experience.

We felt we had to visit to learn a bit more about the history of this place. The boat ride over was rough, we were fine bit some were sea sick. You toured the island on a bus and were then taken to the prison where we were guided by a former prisoner. I didn't find the tour that interesting and I think an audio tour could have worked better. We felt a bit rushed as well and would have preferred to explore on our own. Still an interesting place to visit though.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Poignant tour of the former prison and island. A well organised trip let down only by the quality of the transport, the ferry was delayed by over 30 minutes, the bus we took from the dock to tour the island was so rattly and noisy that the poor guide could barely be heard. The guide for the prison tour was a former inmate which is to be respected but it would be an idea to give them a little more training on how to captivate the visitors.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

This is a must see on your Cape Town visit. Buy tickets well in advance during summer. We highly highly recommend the Walking Tour option. While it takes 4+ hours you really get a very different and more in depth experience than the regular tour on big busses that move past the many historical sights. Plus, you get to spend time with a resident guide on Robben Island, which affords a much more personal take on the place.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Good tour. Good bus guide Thabo and his driver. Good prison guide Derrick (ex political prisoner). Somewhat low point was when guy at the canteen (one of the stops) stole my change. Didn’t want to cause a scene, but it was so sad. He perhaps hadn’t expected me to verify my change, so when I asked why it was short, he claimed to have given it all while getting panicky. I just left. I’d visit again. Trip was worth it.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

What an amazing tour! Book in advance and keep an eye on weather. The boat trip to island is quick (30 mins). The tour is a mix of walking and bus. The first part by bus is very informative and well organised. The 2nd part on foot is with a former detainee. This bought everything to home! It was so interesting and emotional as you could hear the real stories and what life was liked. A amazing trip!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

From the boat ride out to the informative tour, if you haven't taken the time to tour your own country, you are missing out. This is a must see for all South Africans. It's an incredible insight into the past and our guide told the story well. We left feeling slightly sad at the history but gained a different perspective on life during the time of struggle. The crew of the Princess are wonderful people and made the trip to and from the island an experience we won't forget!

A must to go in Cape Town: the story of a county and, mainly, the story of how to start again after a painful history. Guards and prisoners were working together in the museum. Now all guards are retired and only some prisoners remaining. We had the opportunity to meet one that showed us the prison. An extremely important experience to understand South Africa and his history!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

A very solemn place offering a glimpse into the not so distant history of South African apartheid system of injustice and inequality. The fact that this was the iconic prison that held Nelson Mandela made for a deeper resonance about the fight for freedom. The guides are ex prisoners of the island and share stories of their experiences of those times. A must for every person visiting Capetown so that we can better appreciate the world we live in today.

If you like to be treated like a cattle herd and be sheparded from beginning to end this is for you. The visit was a huge disappointment. The windows of the boat did not get cleaned in ages so we could not see a thing outside, Then poor signage, directions and explanations at the various stopping points. Definitely an outing that is not worth the time nor the money.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
No

This is a must-experience journey for anyone visiting Cape Town. It is*not* fun or entertaining. It's a difficult look at oppression and dehumanization that thankfully failed. It's also live history: guides are people held as political prisoners during the prison's operation. This fact alone drives home how close in time we are to such great injustice, and how South Africa has radically changed in the few decades since Robben Island closed.

Absolutely loved this experience!! A very sad history that is remembered here but a beautiful piece of land with gorgeous views. To walk in same place that many South African leaders had walked was wonderful. The way the tour is done was fabulous. Out tour guide on the bus was amazing and the tour guide, who himself was a political prisoner in the island, was great but sad. Highly recommend this experience and remember to book ahead!

Beautiful historic place, however they allow so many ppl at a time. Groups are made out of a bus full therefore really difficult to navigate through the narrow passages in prison. Otherwise I enjoyed the lectures and learned a lot about our history. Also we had to wait in a long queue to enter the boat. Waiting in the blazing hot day was not nice.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
Yes

The starting bus tour was very good with an informative and skillful guide. But the exceptional part was the tour of the prison blocks with an ex-prisoner as our guide. He was incredible to listen to, and could tell us the story of life in the prison form a uniquely personal point of view - not lacking a certain sense of humor. He was kind enough to answer all out questions and really made our visit an unforgettable experience.

What a lovely and profound experience. Robben Island is famous for it's expensive history whereby it hosted the likes of the late world icon Dr. Nelson Mandela. Our tour guide was also an activist during the apartheid Era and he was more than happy to share his personal experience of the island and prison itself. We got to see the prison cell of Nelson Mandela. Overall, the place and it's history is bittersweet.

Robben Island was surreal. To have your tour guide ex convicted political prisoners, it makes the whole experience immersive. You can ask all the questions you like and they guide you through the conditions that the prisoners went through including Nelson Mandela's prison cell. Truly worth going to do!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

This is a must visit while being in Cape Town. They had the tour organized very well. The first part is about 45 minutes on a bus and you are driven around the Island making stops at some of the highlights. The tour guide on the bus was great. The second part of the tour is at the prison. Our tour was given by an ex-prisoner. To be able to hear his stories made the tour incredible.

Just an absolute grounding experience. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of people who were imprisoned for fighting for freedom is something you’ll never experience elsewhere. Insider tip would to sit on the left side of the bus tour portion and sit in the bottom of the ferry.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A World Heritage Site, which by default makes it a place that one should visit. The Ferry Ride was great and well organised. The museum tour I found interesting to a point, but that was it. I found the tour disappointing and disjointed. The planning and execution could be far better. Nevertheless I'm glad I've done it. But unlike other museums I won't be rushing back.

I just wish everyone could have a feel.of the place and maybe people will start taking the struggle of the past very seriously and how life was for those who fought for the better life we are enjoying now. Yet there are so many who misuse the freedom and make look worthless
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
Yes

Wonderful, solemn well designed reminder we ma must not forget of our past and example to forgive but not forget to mend our society. Museum uses ex prisoners as docents for tour goers. Tour is well paced, with half of it available as a bus ride.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

The tour was disappointing. Not the same as years ago. Very rushed and short story. Doesn't cover full history. Have to pack food when going. Food was sold out on island. Also have to take cash bcos no signal for electronic purchases.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Our ferry across was delayed which given the jet lag we experienced took the edge off going round. Having an ex-prisoner do part of the tour was really interesting and if you are in Cape Town, I feel you have to see this at least once.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
Yes

If you get sea sick easily, remember to take a motion sickness tablet. There was no information anywhere about seasickness when we bought the tickets. The ride out and back were very bumpy and my partner was close to throwing up. The actual island tour was great. But not worth the visit if you get motion sickness.

A must when you visit South Africa. The tours are operated by a former prisoner but they are getting old and will retire soon so get in ASAP for the real experience. After them they will just have trained tour guides. They took us through the prison and told us the day to day activities. It’s a real eye opener.

It is sad that some of the veterans of the struggle who served less years but still made sacrifices for non white liberation are still struggling and are poor. I have to wonder why that is! Mr Modise, thank you for the tour today Sir. May your struggle be rewarded/liberated with material upliftment.

Our bus tour guide was quiet and hard to understand in general but otherwise we really enjoyed learning so much about the history of such a heavy place. The guide in the prison was a former inmate and talked of his experience and those with him. It was sad but enriching to learn through his eyes

Great history, emotionally draining due to the stories being shared by some of the ex-detainees. The first detainees on Robben Island were some members of the indigenous people of South Africa (Khoi-San).
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A very somber visit. The tour takes over 2 hours. Please have a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses as it gets pretty bright in the limestone. It is amazing how a few years ago the world was just up side down!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Very sobering experience seeing what can happen when intolerance of others based on skin color becomes the norm. Your guide inside the prison is a former political prisoner. He tells the story of life behind bars based on actual experience. Highly recommend this museum.

The bus part of the trip was boring but the part in the prison was amazing. We had a tour guide who was an ex prisoner and he was remarkable. Nelson mandela's cell was interesting but not the highlight of the trip. Taking a picture of the mainland is also great!

Extremely saddened by the experience. The poignant manner in the relating of experience by ex political prisoner once again emphasizes the cruelty of the past.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

A historic site to visit and learn a lot. There is information that was unknown to me but now I know. It was an amazing visit and we had a colorful tour guides who gave us an amazing tour around the ISLAND. We even saw some penguins …

It was a wonderful experience. Thabo the bus tour guide, was so good in narrating the story and the history of the Apartheid and the origin of Roben Island.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Tour around the island was great, lots of renovations done and greater coverage of outside of the prison. The tour guide for inside the prison was not so great, they could atleast get the tor guides to do a presentation to ensure suitability.

Definitely worth visiting. The 30-minute boat ride to get there was a little bumpy. The jail tour is informative and well-paced. The island tour by bus was fine although the bus is a bit cramped. The museum presents its important story well.

Robben Island was a great experience, the waiting area was modern but there weren’t many places to sit so when our trip delayed an hour it was uncomfortable. The boat ride was fun and bumpy with a cool history video on. We had guided buses

A must visit if one wants to understand the history of South Africa, this here is a vital piece of that history. It's a peek into some difficult times in race relations in South Africa, the lengths humans will go in pursuit of their goals,

Place is cool to come just to say you "seen Mandela's cell". Tour through the prison is pretty basic not anything you can't just read online. Then you ride around the island in a bus and a tour guide tells you the story of the city there

It is a guided tour. You can’t visit alone. A former political prisoner explained inside the museum. There are 2 stops inside the museum by bus tour
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Definitely a worthwhile experience. Our tour guide gave us such a thorough recount of history and told incredible stories about each prisoners past.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

The reps talked for too long. It’s ok if you are in a classroom but whilst on holiday your maximum attention span is about 10-15 mins. These guys took almost half an hour each. Not well organised as needs to be more streamlined. More

This was an awesome experience! To walk through the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 19 years and learn about the history of the other political figures that were imprisoned as well was eye opening. Robben Island is about 20

Tour by a former inmate was great. Our 1pm tour left over 30 minutes late and the ensuing pandemonium to get on the boat was not enjoyable. Once there it felt like we were rushed through the tour so we could be off by closing hour.

Having read the Long Walk to Freedom a few months back I just had to visit while in Cape Town. The fact the tours are from former prisoners was a bonus hearing the words from the mouths of the people who suffered at the place.

If you are interested in history, the good and the bad, don't miss it. The prison portion is led by previous political prisoners held there
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The best part of this tour was that we had an ex political con guiding the tour in the prison area. And yes, it's a must if you go to Cape Town. But other than that, it's just a normal "museum visit" with interesting tales.

Great tour to get a lot of South African history the apartheid period in particular, and of course to visit the historic ground of Robben Island where Mandela were for years. More

The prison was interesting. The toilet block needs improvement and the buses need updating.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

The boat was an hour late, the buses were old and dirty, it was very hard to understand the tour guides and heard other tourists make the same complaint.

Best to read about it prior just to get a better take on the tour guide's stories. Our group was fortunate to have an ex prisoner guiding us through.

Fascinating tour by a former political prisoner.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes