My partner and I were in Cape Town in the March and booked our tickets a day in advance. We went down to the Waterfront (Nelson Mandela Gateway) and got the ferry across to Robben Island. The ferry journey was pleasant and we saw lots of seals and a few dolphins and different views of Table Mountain etc. Once on... more

I booked tickets for 2 friends arriving from the US almost 2 months in advance. When they arrived at the ferry terminal this morning, they were told all boats are cancelled until Saturday due to high winds. [They leave on Friday] They have been refused a refund, as "they don't have enough cash for refunds"- what rubbish! If you can... more

After a 45 minute ferry ride, you arrive at Robben Island to be taken on a bus tour, and then a guided tour of the maximum security prison. The guides are former political prisoners (Mandela was incarcerated there for 18 years). It is a moving experience, and should not be missed. But your tickets in advance! We were there in... more

I consider this a 'must do' for Cape Town. The highlight for me was that the prison tour was given by a former political prisoner. His name was Phinneas. It made the experience very real. He was very serious and somber - he did not smile the entire time. All who work on these tours actually live in the housing... more

This trip offers so much more than a fun day trip from the waterfront although the view of capetown from the boat is worthy of a tour in its own right. On the island the tour guide captivated his audience in the coach with the story not only of the fight against apartheid but also the wider history of the... more

My partner and I visited Robben Island on 1st March 2006 during a four day stay to Cape Town. The trip out to the island is by powerful, diesel powered catamarans which leave from behind the Robben Island Museum at the Victoria and Albert waterfront. The crossing can be quite choppy depending on the weather and swell. If you are... more

Before I visited Cape Town my wife mentioned she wanted to visit Robben Island. I was fairly apathetic about this as coming from northern Europe, I had little exposure to South African politics or the struggles of the anti apartheid movement. This is a great place to visit, The tour starts with a boat trip out to the island -... more

This is to second the earlier review posted by the traveller from Ireland. My wife and I spent three lovely days in Capetown (about enough) in September, 2005. The half day spent on the Robben Island tour was the highlight. Much more memorable than Table Mountain. more

This trip is really worthwhile, assuming the weather is OK for the boat trip. The boats depart from near the V&A Waterfront in the centre of Cape Town, and there is a small museum which you can browse after you buy your tickets, while waiting for the boat. It has a lot of hands-on exhibits, and gets you into the... more