Robben Island is at the core of South Africa’s rich history and culture. The tiny island located just off of the coast of Cape Town is home to a large amount of history and tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s captivity – and subsequent freedom – which became iconic for the democracy of South Africa.
Today, the island is a popular tourist attraction for those with a passion or interest in history and human justice. The only way to reach the island is by boat or air. Here we will discuss Robben Island ticket prices and the variety of ways to visit the island by ferry – and even by helicopter.
Know before you book:
- The ferry is subject to weather and trips may be canceled
- There is a two-tier price system and Non-South Africans need to make sure that they select the correct option for the ticket to be valid
- The tour ends at the Robben Island Ferry gateway
Highlights:
- Learn about life on Robben Island
- Discover aspects of South Africa’s intricate history
- Visit the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
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Robben Island Tour Prices 2024
- Total tours cost R550 ($35 / €34) for non-SA adults and R310 ($18 / €18) for non-SA children that are between 2 -18.
- SA adults pay R400 ($24 / €23) and SA children pay R210 ($12 / €12) for 2 – 18 years.
- Robben Island tour with hotel pickup costs up to $160 USD per person for the more exclusive helicopter ride.
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Ferry to Robben Island Times
You’ll depart to Robben Island on a boat trip from the V&A Waterfront at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm daily. Note that these trips are weather permitting. The gates close 10 minutes prior departure, so make sure that you arrive early. The trip duration is approximately three-and-a-half hours – including your tour around the island.
Robben Island Tours Times
There are several ferries leaving for Robben Island throughout the day. Ferries typically depart at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm so pre-booking is essential to secure your spot. It is important to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Best time to go to Robben Island
The tour – including the two ferry trips – is normally around three and a half hours. In order to make the most out of your day, it’s suggested that you go earlier rather than later. When booking your trip, try to check the weather forecast. The experience is best when the sun is out and the winds are soft. If the weather is really bad, the tour may be canceled for the day and you will need to reschedule it.
Robben Island Tickets & Prices 2024
Boat trips to Robben Island from V&A Waterfront prices are R400 per adult and R210 per child for South Africans. Robben Island boat trip prices for non-South African visitors cost R600 per adult, and R310 per child. As mentioned above, hotel pick-ups are available at a small additional fee.
Robben Island Tours
Depending on the time and budget you have available, you may want to simply tick off the island, or expand on its learnings and visit the surrounding townships in Cape Town. Alternatively, if you are really pressed for time, you can take a scenic Cape Town helicopter ride over the island.
Robben Island Boat Trip and Hotel Pick-Up
This is the standard Robben Island ferry and tour of the museum, with the luxury of a hotel pick-up included. Enjoy a sea-breezing boat trip to the island on a dedicated ferry before exploring the history that is dictated on the island.
Listen to stories of South Africa’s apartheid past as told by an ex-prisoner on the island, and visit the infamous cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in jail.
Get picked up in comfort from your hotel in the city center and nearby surrounds and be transported to the ferry boarding where your pre-booked ticket has secured your spot for the journey.
- Pick-up from central Cape Town accommodation
- Return Robben Island ferry ticket
- Tour of the island and prison
- Drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
An incredible experience for those interested in the underlying history and culture of South Africa. Robben Island is an iconic landmark in Cape Town and a must-see for anyone wanting to truly experience the city.
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Township and Robben Island Tour Combination
Visit different townships around Cape Town and witness the after-effects of the struggles of apartheid before hopping on a ferry to Robben Island and discovering the story of one of the men who played a vital role in overcoming the social injustice.
The eight-hour tour includes a guided visit to the most important townships in Cape Town, a ferry ride to Robben Island and an unparalleled historical and cultural experience.
- Vehicle and driver guide
- Petrol
- Robben Island ferry ticket
- Tour of the island and prison
- Passenger liability insurance
- Return transfer to hotel
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Helicopter Ride – Robben Island by Air
Jump on board a helicopter and enjoy a 20-minute helicopter ride over Robben Island for an unparalleled view and alternative experience. Experience post-card views of the island first-hand from the air as the helicopter circumnavigates one of the most significant landmarks in South African history.
- Shared helicopter flight
- In-flight commentary
- Free pick-up and drop-off from accommodation
- In-flight video package (available for purchase)
Specification: 6 Robben Island Ticket Prices 2024 | Best Trips
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Anonymous –
Weather played a strong role in our tour, but we were impressed with the guide’s and company’s flexibility. Our guide was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. He was knowledgeable and prepared for the day. Unfortunately, the day would have gone better if we had done Robben Island first and Table Mountain second. As it was, we went to Table Mountain which was totally fogged in. Had a nice walk around the summit. Then we found out that the afternoon boats to Robben Island were canceled due to weather. We had to scramble to figure out what to do. We enjoyed our tour of the castle and botanical gardens and the company arranged for us to do Robben Island two days later. We appreciated their flexibility. Kudos to the guide and tour operator for their support in adversity.
Anonymous –
Our Driver Peter was amazing. He was very attentive and personable. He gave us very great details about the city and did not leave our side. We felt safe and enjoyed his company. The cable car was shut down because of winds so we were not able to go to the top of the mountain but Peter was accommodating.
Anonymous –
Tour guide was prompt, knowledgeable and pleasant … I would recommend using this agency again and the tour guide..
Anonymous –
We had a nice day out although the weather was very hot. Our guide took us to the Mandela Gateway and gave us tickets for the boat for Robben Island. He stayed in Cape Town. The boat was quite comfortable and we were allowed to stand and look outside. We were then divided up onto some rough old buses. We had a guide on the bus who was very strict and said we definitely could not speak a word when she was talking. It was hard to tell if she was serious or trying to be funny. I was sorry that we were not allowed to get off at some of the sites because it was very difficult to take photos through the the closed windows and across other people. We were then dropped at the prison and were given an interesting tour by an ex inmate. We saw Mandela’s cell and other various courtyards and cells. We then returned to the ferry and were met the other side by our guide. He asked if we wanted to stop for lunch or not which I thought was a bit odd as we’d been out since 08.00. So he found us somewhere to eat which was average but felt a bit rushed. We then went to Table Mountain. It was very busy but we eventually got in the gondola. At the top the guide left us to walk round ourselves and asked us how much time we needed. We had no idea so suggested half an hour, again I got the feeling we were being rushed. As it turned out half an hour wasn’t long enough and we weren’t quite back in time and as soon as half hour had passed he was chasing us on the phone. The top of Table Mountain was interesting and there were lovely views from the top but it was seriously crowded. We had been up Signal Hill the day before which was much more peaceful and had great views, although obviously much lower down. It was all very rushed up there. We then had a look round Bo Kasparov but I got the impression he wasn’t that keen on going there. He had some difficulty with the manual gear box and stalled several times in the hills going up which was a bit scary. We went back through the city to our hotel and passed several interesting sites that I would have liked to stop and see, plus take photos but this didn’t happen.