Robben Island Travel Guide

 
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  • Robben Island, Cape Town
      Robben Island, Cape Town
    by jumpingnorman
  • Robben Island, Cape Town
      Robben Island, Cape Town
    by jumpingnorman
  • Robben Island, Cape Town
      Robben Island, Cape Town
    by jumpingnorman
 

Explore Robben Island

Things to Do  

See the Lighthouse of Robben Island

See the Lighthouse of Robben Island, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  I love lighthouses and wanted a collection for myself but my study/library at home is already filled up with things I have collected from around the world...so I have decided not to buy too much stuff anymore.......But alas, the lighthouse on Robben Island is a beauty.I saw... 

See Animals on Robben Island as well!

See Animals on Robben Island as well!, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  So you set off to Robben Island, intent on seeing the prison cell of Mandela, but also remember that animals do inhabit the island as well...During the bus tour, we stopped at several points just to look at ostriches (by the bay) and also stop for a turtle that was crossing... 

Peek into Prison No. 7 -- Mandela's Prison Cell!

Peek into Prison No. 7 -- Mandela's Prison Cell!, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  Mandela's prison cell on Robben island is No. 7 and has been repainted and looks very clean and small ---- you can peek through it and take picstures as people behind you are waiting to take a peerk as well....So you have to take your pics quick! You will have a shot of the... 

Visit a little penguin sanctuary on Robben Island

Visit a little penguin sanctuary on Robben Island, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  After the 2-3 hour bus/prison tour on Robben Island, you are brought back to the docks and told to wait for your boat --- You are not supposed to miss that boat, specially mine was the last one for the day!But there is a nearby penguin sanctuary just near the docks, and so I... 

Robben Island - a World Heritage Site!

Robben Island - a World Heritage Site!, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  Now a World Heritage Site, Robben Island can be easily reached from cape Town by a 30 minute ferry ride. The Island is where black prisoners were incarcerated at during the Apartheid Era. The prisoners are now free and some of them have met again on the island, and they have... 

robben island tour bus seating

robben island tour bus seating, Robben Island

 1gorams Says:  if you can, try to sit as close to the front of the bus as possible. the guide speaks from the front and it is alot easier to hear when your up-front. I was sitting in the back of the bus and it was hard to hear through the engine noise and road gravel! also easier to ask... 

Robben Island

Robben Island, Robben Island

 Acirfa Says:  Robben Island sits 12Kl off of the coast of Cape Town and served as a prison for 400 years. It's most famous political prisoner Nelson Mandela spent 18 years here, surviving cruelty and hardships and digging in the quarries that left him and many others partially blind from... 

TOUR THE ISLAND.

TOUR THE ISLAND., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  Proclaimed a UN World Heritage site in 1999, Robben Island is unmissable. Most likely you will have to endure crowds and being hustled around on a guided tour that at 2.5 hours is woefully too short – such is the price of the islands infamy. It’s likely to be truly swamped... 

ENTER THE APARTHEID ERA.......

ENTER THE APARTHEID ERA......., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  Used as a prison from the early days of the VOC right up until the first years of majority rule, Robben Island’s most famous involuntary resident was Nelson Mandela. You will learn much of what happened to Mandela and other inmates since one will be leading your tour. The... 

THE MANDELA LOCKUP.

THE MANDELA LOCKUP., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  Imagine yourself being put behind these bars for 27 years,no way not me i would rather be free.THE MOTTO: IF YOU DO CRIME,YOU DO TIME. 

BLOOD ,SWEAT AND TEARS.

BLOOD ,SWEAT AND TEARS., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  This is part of Robben Island where Nelson mandela had to work for 27 years while being kept political prisoner,the quarry of limestone where the prisoners worked,today a national tourist attraction. 

Hotels  

Shack: No place to stay....

Shack: No place to stay...., Robben Island

 unigirl Says:  This is the house of Robert Sobukwe who was the leader of the PAC in South Africa. He was kept in isolation from other prisoners for fear he would incite an uprising... There is no place to stay on Robben Island unless you are staff. One thing that is interesting is that... 

Transportation  

dress warm

dress warm, Robben Island

 1gorams Says:  be advised that if you choose to sit on the outside deck of the ferry, dress warm. bring a light jacket or sweater as it gets a little chilly, especially the early morning tours. 

arrive early to nelson mandela gateway

arrive early to nelson mandela gateway, Robben Island

 1gorams Says:  please be advised to arrive early as each departure to robben island fills up fast, so if you get there too late you will have to buy a ticket for the following day. also be advised that weather conditions change daily, so even if you have a ticket, you may be bumped till a... 

Ferry from Victoria Waterfront

Ferry from Victoria Waterfront, Robben Island

 raraavis Says:  A ferry leaves Victoria Waterfront daily to Robben Island. Do get your ticket a day in advance if you can because they sell out quickly. Also plan to visit the island on a clear day. The view of Cape Town from Robben Island is quite nice. 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Long Lines Going to Robben Island

Long Lines Going to Robben Island, Robben Island

 jumpingnorman Says:  Not surprisingly, there are long lines in the station from which the ferry leaves for Robben Island. I took the 1 PM ferry ride, and there was utter confusion at the station and it did not seem that there was a line at all. Some people were getting mad (and shouting) because... 

Tourist Traps  

to grease or not to grease

to grease or not to grease, Robben Island

 1gorams Says:  your robben island tour bus guide will give a long, detailed and interesting perspective of the island and the prison. there is also some guest paticipation (if you care too). Be aware, that although he will might say otherwise, it's hard not to give a monetary tip for his... 

Off The Beaten Path  

INSIDE THE PRISON.

INSIDE THE PRISON., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  This picture shows how disciplined the prisoners are / were , everything neat and tidy and in place.clean as a pin. 

THE LIGHTHOUSE.

THE LIGHTHOUSE., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  Robben Island lighthouse 

BOOK A TOUR EARLY.

BOOK A TOUR EARLY., Robben Island

 PEE-WEE Says:  Booking a tour is essential as they are extremely popular; otherwise be prepared for a long wait. The boats depart from the new “Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island“ beside the clock tower on Fish Quay.The Tour entails being guided through the old prison, and includes a... 

The Place

Plan a Robben Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Robben Island locals

Experience Robben Island
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The People

 
Our Members Say
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 This is part of Robben Island where Nelson mandela had to work for 27 years while being kept political prisoner,the quarry of limestone where the prisoners... 

 

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Top Robben Island Writers

1

Robben Island, Cape Town

jumpingnorman profile photo

 The boat going to Robben Island was great because you get to catch the most beautiful pictures of Table Top Mountain (picture below). On the island itself, you ride a bus that gives a tour of the site... 

2

ROBBEN ISLAND TOUR.

PEE-WEE profile photo

 Robben Island, today a symbol of democracy and the refusal of the human spirit to be broken, has had a turbulent and troubled past. For the past 400 years Robben Island has existed as a fort , mental... 

3

Shameful past but the future is bright

unigirl profile photo

 Robben Island was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. Wandering the halls of the prison and seeing Nelson Mandela's tiny cell that he called home for over 18 years....it was like a dream... 

4

robben island

1gorams profile photo

 the ferry to robben island departs from victoria's wharf and takes about 50 minutes, depending on current. there is your choice of seating, however get in line early if you want a seat on the outside... 

5

Cape Town from Robben Island

Zoe_bcn profile photo

 As you know in Robben Island there is the prison where Nelson Mandela was in jail for many years. The only reason to go the island is to visit the jail cuz there is nothing else there (well, thousands... 

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