Getting to Robben Island

Located off the Cape town coast, Robben island carries a lot of South Africa's history and is part of the late Nelson Mandela's legacy.

Crossing over

• Tourists board ferries from the Nelson Mandela Gateway, Clock tower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
• The ferries depart after every two hours from 9 a.m to 1.00p.m.

Island transport

• You'll alight at Murray bay harbor on the island's east coast.
• From the harbor, you can spot tour buses and taxis that ferry people around the island.
• If you're visiting the island for tourism purposes it's best to take the bus as they have tour guides (former political detainees).
• The bus tours ferry tourists to the prison that Mandela was jailed at alongside other political detainees while the tour guides explain how they used to manage at the prison.
• After the tour tourists are taken back to the harbor to catch the next ferry to Capetown.
• In case you're traveling to the island for other purposes other than visiting the prison and learning about the story of the lives of political detainees it's best to take a taxi.

Ticketing

• Ferry tickets can be booked online or just before boarding the ferry.