Robben Island Guide 2026

History

Robben Island's history of isolation dates back centuries:

• 1600s-1700s: Dutch colonists used the island to imprison political leaders and dissidents from the Cape Colony and Southeast Asia. The Kramats (shrines) of Muslim political exiles are still visible on the island.
• 1800s: The British used it as a hospital for chronically ill patients, lepers, and the mentally ill. A leper colony existed from 1845 to 1931.
• World War II: The island was fortified with gun batteries and a garrison to protect Cape Town harbour. Some military structures remain.
• 1961-1991: The apartheid government converted Robben Island into a maximum-security political prison. Over 3,000 political prisoners were held here, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Robert Sobukwe, and many other anti-apartheid leaders.
• 1996: The last prisoners were removed and the island was declared a national museum.
• 1999: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom, and of democracy over oppression."

Nelson Mandela on Robben Island

Mandela arrived on Robben Island in June 1964, sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and conspiracy during the Rivonia Trial. For 18 years, he was confined to a small cell (2.4m x 2.1m) in B-Section of the maximum-security prison. His prisoner number was 466/64 (the 466th prisoner admitted in 1964).

• Daily routine: Prisoners woke at 5:30 AM, worked in the lime quarry breaking and carving limestone, returned by 4 PM, ate dinner at 4:30, and lights were out by 8 PM. Hard labour in the quarry damaged Mandela's eyesight permanently.
• The lime quarry: Prisoners broke limestone with hammers and pickaxes. The blinding white dust and glare from the lime caused lasting eye damage. A cairn at the quarry, started by Mandela in 1995, has had stones added by former prisoners and world leaders.
• Education: Despite harsh conditions, Mandela and fellow prisoners turned the island into a "university" -- secretly teaching and studying. The prison was nicknamed the "University of Robben Island." Mandela completed his LLB degree by correspondence through the University of London.
• Letters: Prisoners were allowed one letter and one visitor every six months. Mandela's letters to his wife Winnie and daughters Zindzi and Zenani are among the most moving documents of the 20th century.
• Transfer: Mandela was moved to Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland in 1982, then to Victor Verster Prison in 1988, from where he was released on 11 February 1990.

Tour Details & Tickets

Tour Schedule

• Departure point: Nelson Mandela Gateway, V&A Waterfront (Clock Tower precinct)
• Ferry departures: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM (3:00 PM added in peak summer season)
• Ferry duration: 30-45 minutes each way (depending on sea conditions)
• Total tour duration: 3.5-4 hours (including ferry both ways and island tour)
• Island tour: Approximately 2-2.5 hours on the island -- a bus tour of key sites followed by a walking tour of the maximum-security prison

What to Expect on the Tour

The tour has two main parts:

Part 1: Bus Tour (45-60 minutes)

After arriving at Murray's Harbour, you board a bus with a guide for a narrated drive around the island. Key stops include:

• Robert Sobukwe House: Where PAC leader Robert Sobukwe was held in solitary confinement for 9 years -- the only prisoner held alone, so feared by the apartheid government that they passed a special law ("Sobukwe Clause") to keep him indefinitely.
• The Lime Quarry: Where prisoners including Mandela performed hard labour. The cairn started by Mandela in 1995 is visible.
• The Kramat (Muslim Shrine): Shrine honouring Tuan Guru, a political exile from Indonesia who wrote a Quran from memory during his imprisonment.
• Leper Cemetery & Church: Remnants of the 19th-century leper colony.
• WWII Military Installations: Gun batteries and bunkers from the wartime fortification.
• Penguin Colony: The island has a colony of African penguins, visible during the bus tour.

Part 2: Prison Tour (45-60 minutes)

The most powerful part of the visit. A former political prisoner guides you through the maximum-security prison. This is what makes Robben Island extraordinary -- you hear first-hand accounts from someone who was actually imprisoned there.

• Mandela's Cell: The tiny cell (2.4m x 2.1m) in B-Section where Mandela spent 18 years. It contains a thin mat, a bucket, and a small table -- stark and deeply moving.
• B-Section: The block housing the most prominent political prisoners, kept separate from general population.
• General cells: Large communal cells where dozens of prisoners slept on mats on the floor.
• Courtyard: Where prisoners exercised and secretly discussed politics. Mandela famously buried his autobiography manuscript in the garden here (it was later discovered).

Weather & Best Time to Visit

What to Bring

• Warm layers: The island is exposed and always windier than the mainland. Even in summer, bring a jacket.
• Sunscreen and hat: Little shade during the bus tour and walking sections.
• Seasickness tablets: The ferry crossing can be rough, especially in winter. Take tablets 30 minutes before departure.
• Comfortable shoes: You walk through the prison and around the grounds for 2+ hours. Flat, closed shoes recommended.
• Camera: Photography is allowed everywhere except inside Mandela's cell (where you can photograph from the doorway).
• Water and snacks: There is a small shop on the island but options are limited. Bring water.
• Printed or digital ticket: Have your booking confirmation ready for check-in at the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early: Check-in opens 30 minutes before departure. Arrive at least 45 minutes early as security screening and boarding take time. The Gateway is in the Clock Tower precinct of the V&A Waterfront.
• Parking: Use the V&A Waterfront parking garages (R20-30/hour). The Clock Tower parking is closest to the ferry terminal.
• Emotional experience: The prison tour is deeply moving. Hearing a former prisoner describe their experience is profoundly powerful. Be respectful -- this is a memorial site.
• Children: Children of all ages are allowed but very young children may find the 3.5-hour tour long and the history difficult to engage with. Best suited for ages 10+.
• Combine with: After the tour, you are back at the V&A Waterfront -- perfect for lunch, the Two Oceans Aquarium, or shopping. Table Mountain is 15 minutes away by car.
• Museum at the Gateway: The Nelson Mandela Gateway building has a free exhibition about Robben Island's history. Worth visiting before or after the tour for additional context.

The Island Today

Robben Island is managed by the Robben Island Museum (RIM), a cultural institution and national museum. The island's ecology is carefully protected:

• African Penguins: A breeding colony of endangered African penguins lives on the island's shores.
• Wildlife: Springbok, bontebok, and steenbok were introduced. Rabbits are abundant. Over 100 bird species recorded.
• Lighthouse: The Robben Island Lighthouse (built 1865) is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse in South Africa at 18 metres.
• Former prisoners as guides: Some tour guides are former political prisoners. This practice may eventually end as the former prisoners age -- hearing their accounts is an increasingly rare and precious experience.

Frequently Asked Questions