Robben Island

Robben Island Gatehouse, photo courtesy Brian Burger

Once “home” to South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so. Do not leave Cape Town without visiting the island – it is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.

The island-museum of Robben Island is situated some 9km (5.5mi) offshore from Cape Town. Dubbed “Robben” (“the place of seals”) by the Dutch settlers, Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site on December 1, 1997.

The island has a turbulent history. From the 17th to the 20th century it was variously a prison, a hospital and a military base. It is most famous for being a political prison during the era of apartheid, or racial segregation.

Many of South Africa’s most prominent freedom fighters spent time on Robben Island. Its most famous prisoner was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years on the island out of the 27 years he was imprisoned. It was here that Mandela and his fellow prisoners were subjected to hard labour.

A tour of the Robben Island Museum begins at the Robben Island Gateway, at the V & A Waterfront (+27 21 408 7600; www.waterfront.co.za). Here, you can view the multi-media exhibitions, visit the museum shop and enjoy a meal at the restaurant.

Ferries depart regularly from the Nelson Mandela Gateway, and each tour takes approximately 3.5 hours. You will be guided around the island by a former political prisoner who will relate the story of Robben Island first-hand, ensuring a personal and poignant tour. The Robben Island Museum Tour includes a guided tour of the maximum security prison. A visit to Mandela’s cell in B-section is a significant part of the tour. The small cell has been left in its original state and shows the hardships of prison life.

A bus tour will take you to visit the lime quarry where Mandela and his fellow prisoners did hard labour. Additional stopovers include the Kramat (shrine) of Tuan Guru (a Muslim leader), the Lepers’ Graveyard and Robert Sobukwe’s house (where this freedom fighter lived in solitary confinement for nine years). 

Robben Island has an interesting mix of flora and fauna and Murray Bay, Robben Island’s small harbour, is home to 140 000 African penguins.

To find out more about the incredible diversity of cultural tours and experiences available, contact any Cape Town Tourism Visitor Information Centre. We make recommendations and bookings for tours, accommodation and transport from our accredited database of over 2500 qualified tourism businesses.

Visit our list of tour operators registered with Cape Town Tourism .who specialise in trips to Robben Island

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