Tour Types

GENERAL TOUR SCHEDULE
General tours to Robben Island depart at the following times Monday to Sunday: (Weather and demand Permitting)

Peak Season: 01 September to 30 April

09:00

South Africans
per adult

ZAR400

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

11:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

13:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

15:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

Off-peak season: 01 May to 30 August

09:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

11:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)

13:00

South Africans

ZAR400

per adult

ZAR210

per child(U/18)
Non South Africans

ZAR600

per adult

ZAR310

per child(U/18)
BOOK A TOUR
The Kramat is a shrine built in memory of Pangerau Chakra Deningrat, the Asian Prince of Madura, who died on the Island in 1754. He was one of several Muslim leaders who resisted Dutch colonization, and was banished to Robben Island in 1682. His body was later returned to his son in Indonesia.
THE TOUR EXPERIENCE
Currently; RIM has tours that runs as follows; 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00. The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island (Depending on the boat used as they have different travel times).

You will disembark at Murray’s Bay Harbour situated on the east coast of the Island and take a short walk to buses that will transport you to all the historical sites around the Island. On the way to the buses, you will pass buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s. The buildings were used for family and lawyer visits to prisoners.

You will meet your Tour Guide when you have boarded the busses. The prison tour will be conducted by a Robben Island Tour Guide. This is part of our integrated tour model. They are fully conversant and knowledgeable about the Island’s multi-layered 500-year-old history. The tour route includes the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.

DID YOU KNOW...
The first recorded landing on Robben Island by Europeans was in 1498, when a group of Portuguese sailors took refuge there and stayed overnight in a cave.
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WALKING TOUR EXPERIENCE

Experience the remarkable history and heritage of Robben Island with the Robben Island Museum Walking Tour. This 5-kilometre guided route, lasting approximately 5 hours, allows visitors to literally walk in the footsteps of South African legends who contributed to the country’s liberation. Key highlights include visits to the Visitors Center, Maximum Security Prison, Sobukwe House, the Lime Quarry, and other significant landmarks tied to South Africa’s journey to freedom.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour offers deep insights into the island’s cultural and natural history, sharing the powerful stories of those who shaped the nation. Suitable for heritage enthusiasts and those who can be able to walk long distances and are physically fit, the tour provides an educational, immersive, and unforgettable experience on one of the world’s most iconic heritage sites.

For more details (View Brochure)

EDUCATIONAL TOURS
The Robben Island Museum Tour has a dedicated Education Department. Among its many activities is the facilitation of subsidised school tours.
These tours are from Monday to Friday during the concession period (2 May to 31 October), but can change at the discretion of management. Visitors are transported to the Island via Ferries which depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. Learners may be transported on ferries that are part of the general tours, and at the times of those ferries or a dedicated ferry departing at a specific alternate time may be arranged.

This tour targets learners in primary and secondary schools from across the country. It is designed to educate, inform and expose young people to elements of South Africa’s rich heritage that is embodied in Robben Island’s multi-layered history. The tour provides information and experiences of the Island that are more in-depth than the general visitor tour and focuses on inculcating an understanding of, and commitment to human rights and development.
The learners also get to visit all the various heritage sites that reflect the Island’s longstanding multi-layered history, such as the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.

The tours are implemented in partnership with individual schools as and when requested.
DID YOU KNOW...
The Garrison Church was built in 1841 using prison labour from the British convict station on the Island.
LEARN MORE
SPECIALISED TOURS
Specialized Tours include Private Tours, VIP Tours and Protocol Tours. Private tours are for individuals or small groups. VIP Tours are for ‘famous’ personalities. Protocol Tours are for Heads of State.
These tours can be arranged for any day of the week. The duration of these tours range from 3.5 hours to about 8 hours. Visitors are transported to the Island via Ferries which depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. Groups may be transported on ferries that are part of the general tours, and at the times of those ferries. Alternatively, a dedicated ferry departing at a specific alternate time may be arranged. Flights are used for some of the tours such as the Protocol Tours.
These tours include all the various heritage sites that reflect the Island’s longstanding multi-layered history, such as the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.
DID YOU KNOW...
During WW2 Robben Island was chosen as the key site to protect Table Bay and Cape Town from threat of enemy attack, resulting in the construction of artillery batteries, fortifications, and an airstrip.
LEARN MORE
TOUR TYPES
ROBBEN ISLAND FERRIES

Robben Island Museum uses two of its own ferries which transport visitors and staff to the island, along with several private vessels if, and when, they are required. These ferries operate between Table bay harbour and Robben Island Museum on a daily basis to transport passengers and staff.

MV KROTOA
KROTOA FERRY
TOURS
KROTOA

The Krotoa was built in Singapore by PENGUIN SHIPYARD ASIA and procured by RIM in 2019. This Ferry is certified by the South African Maritime Safety Authority to carry 280 passengers and its design is constructed within the following dimensions:

  • Length – 32.40m
  • Breadth – 8.5m
  • Hull Material – Aluminium
  • Type – FERRY
SIKHULULEKILE FERRY
TOURS
SIKHULULEKILE

The Sikhululekile was built and completed in 2008 by a ship building company called FAROCEANS MARINE PTY. The ferry is certified to carry 260 passengers and its design is constructed within the following dimensions:

  • Length – 31.3m
  • Breadth – 9.0m
  • Hull Material – Aluminium
  • Type: FERRY
MVSikhululekile

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Tour Details

Weather

Cape Town
16°
Light Rain
05:4019:19 SAST
Feels like: 15°C
Wind: 18km/h NW
Humidity: 90%
Pressure: 1017.27mbar
UV index: 0
WedThuFri
20/14°C
22/14°C
27/15°C
Weather forecast Cape Town, South Africa ▸

Tours

South Africans
R400 per adult
R210 per child (U/18)

Non South Africans
R600 per adult
R310 per child (U/18)

Tour Times
09:00  |  11:00  |  13:00  |  15:00

BOOK A TOUR

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