Delve into South Africa’s troubled past on a visit to the infamous Robben Island. Take a ferry ride from Cape Town across to the island, for an informative tour of the site, including the cell where Nelson Mandela spent much of his incarceration. Your journey starts at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront in the Silo District. Here, board the ferry for the 30-minute ferry ride across to Robben Island. Alight on the island and join a guided tour by an ex-political prisoner who will tell you about the island's rich 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. Your tour ends with Nelson Mandela's actual prison cell where he spent a large part of his 27-year incarceration. Return to Cape Town will be via ferry ride.
The ferry experience was less than desired. It was late leaving and even later arriving back causing us to miss our next tour. The people on the ferry were excellent but we were late for no known reason.
A lot of confusion with our tickets when we arrived at the museum. We entered all details (passport etc) when booking but these details were not in the system and there was a question mark over whether or not we could board the ferry due to headcount; even though we had confirmed tickets. Otherwise the tour of Robben Island was great and the history of what happened on the island heartbreaking. Worth a visit. Just make sure you have all tickets confirmed.
Very interesting. Ex prisoner giving talk was excellent as was the guide on the bus. The tour was at 11 am and we were lucky as due to winds the afternoon tours were cancelled.
Hearing about the history of the prison was great. Doing the bus tour around some of the island gave a great insight to the way of life there.
The tour was grounding and sombering. I returned with great respect for the ex prisoners of Robben Island after hearing first hand narration from one of the “ex-cons”
We never received the tickets we purchased and had to purchase further tickets from another source. This caused stress when we went to board the ferry.
As a student visiting Cape Town from the Eastern Cape, I had the privilege of joining a tour with Raw Tours, and it was one of the most eye-opening and memorable experiences of my life. Being able to walk through places like Robben Island and Table Mountain, which I had only read about in books, made me feel so inspired and connected to our country’s history and beauty. The guides were welcoming, patient, and very informative. They made the stories come alive and were happy to answer questions — I learned so much while having fun. Everything was well organized, safe, and comfortable, which is something I really appreciated as a young traveler. Thank you, Raw Tours, for making this possible. I’ll never forget this journey, and I’ll definitely encourage more students from home to experience it too!
My friends and I had the most amazing time touring with Raw Tours! From the moment we were picked up, we felt like VIPs — everything was fun, well-organized, and stress-free. The guide was not only knowledgeable but also super friendly and great at keeping the energy up throughout the day. We laughed, explored, learned, and took so many beautiful photos together. Whether it was the stunning views, the hidden gems around Cape Town, or the great company, every moment felt special. It was the perfect time for my friends and I to explore the mother city. We have stayed in Cape Town all our lives but never seen most parts of it I’m glad I chose Raw Tours to guide us through this experience. If you’re planning a group outing or just want to create amazing memories with your people, Raw Tours is the way to go. 10/10 — we’re already planning the next one!
Had such a amazing experience was really great and we all enjoyed ourselves and nicely guided us and showed us many places
This amazing tour gives us same lifetime memories, We have the opportunity to take a lot of Photos since we where all photo lovers, We learn a lot about the Iconic hero Nelson Mandela since he was imprisoned there, It was also our first time to travel in the Sea and it was very amazing, I advise anyone who wish to have a Tour there not to waste time and book your Tour in time with Rammy as your Tour Guide
Outing to remember You guys rock l went to Roben Island during my festive break it was awesome we had a very nice time to remember as a family the receipting was immaculate and the service out of this world waiting on my next available break l will be there again and again🤏
It's one thing going to Robben Island with friends and enjoying the experience. But never did I think having a guide would make it so much more enjoyable, and of course, more educational! As a local residing in Cape Town, you often tend to make overlook the depth of what you are surrounded by, this guided experience has given me a new appreciation for local travel and exploration.
We had so much fun, one of my best experience and I would recommend all my friends to try it out too, don’t get me started on the view
The experience was unforgettable. I went to Robben Island with my wife…such a touching and eye opening experience. Our Customer Care Representative sent us our tickets well in advance and told us how the tour would go beforehand, so we knew what to expect, and for that l give them a 5 star for customer support
Our half-day tour to Robben Island from Cape Town with Kenny was truly memorable. From the moment we boarded the ferry, everything was well-organized and smooth. Kenny was an exceptional guide — knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history of Robben Island. He shared powerful stories that brought the experience to life, especially the time spent at the prison where Nelson Mandela was held. It was emotional, informative, and deeply moving. This tour is a must for anyone visiting Cape Town, and Kenny made it all the more special. Highly recommended!
This operator is taking advantage of people!!!! The actual Robben island tour is wonderful. However, this operator is taking advantage of people for personal gain. All they do is purchase the tickets for you which you can do on the Robben island website. It takes 2 minutes to purchase them and costs $100 USD less than what the operator is charging you here!!! Horrible. Requesting partial refund for the extra amount charged.
The actual trip to the island was fantastic but we had terrible issues redeeming the tickets tripadvisor sent us. The ticket office didn't recognise them and we then spent 45 minutes trying to call a trip advisor employee - who wasn't very helpful. We finally got it sorted, but it was stressful and we thought we were going to miss the ferry.
Very well organised excursion - from the ferry ride from Robben Island Gateway (at the V&A Waterfront), bus tour round the island and the tour of the jail including enlIghtening commentary from a former inmate and of course, seeing Nelson Mandela's cell where he was held for 18 years. Highly recommended.
As a person of colour who hasn’t been much affect personally by racism I was deeply touched with the story of Robin island and I would recommend anyone to visit and specially people from younger age to understand what used to happen what were the consequences and keep changing for a better world. Very good place to visit worth every minute
Amazing experience. Tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly and gracious. Everything ran efficiently. I wish I had more time to explore the island.
The guides were eloquent and very clear of what they explain. The weather was bad but manageable. It is a bunch of knowledge and great school of thought.
Everything went as planned. Ferry was great and on time. Tour guides of the island and prison were very informative.
45 minutes before was checked in, the best places at the top of the window were quickly taken.On the way there were dolphins to see.On the island of penguins and on the jetty in Cape Town lake seals.The bus ride took a long time,the explanations were too long.The tour with the former prisoner was difficult to understand if you don't speak perfect English.More boards that you can translate would be helpful.
To do but too bad not to understand everything of the English guide. No waiting everything is well organized. Memorial in progress
The trip to Robben Island was very interesting, much better than expected. We learned a lot. But don’t book your trip via TripAdvisor! We were scammed!! When we got to the ferry terminal, there were no tickets for us. We had to buy new tickets and they were cheaper than what we paid via Tripadvisor. We never got back what we had paid, even though the local operator insisted we would get back everything we had paid.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, The trip to South Africa is over and was ok We have booked with you Robben Island for 4 people in total for 271 € In Cape Town we got tickets for 550 rand apiece. This means around 30 € per person so 120 € But I paid 271 € plus utilities. I ask you to reimburse me immediately for the difference of 150 E. Otherwise I will judicially help use With kind regards Clemens Pelster.
Worthless organization. Shortly before departure, the trip was cancelled. Do not use Viator as a site for reservations!.
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