Island Trips in Cape Town: 6 Sorted by Price

1.Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,792 reviews · 4 hours · from $79Our pick

Spend four hours traveling from Cape Town to Robben Island, where an English-speaking bus guide explains the island’s past before a former political prisoner leads you through the prison. You’ll see Nelson Mandela’s cell, hear personal accounts, and return by ferry. The $79 price includes transport and admission, but not hotel pickup, food, or drinks.

“The prisoner telling his story was so interesting and informative, thoroughly worth while. Bus around island was a little rushed, but great excursion”

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2.Robben Island Ferry Tour with 1-Way Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,380 reviews · 5 hours · from $71Best value

This five-hour tour collects you from central Cape Town, takes you by ferry to Robben Island, and combines a bus tour with the former prison. An ex-prisoner leads the prison visit, while your driver handles the waterfront transfer and tickets. Expect a moving history lesson, waiting around the ferry, and no hotel drop-off.

“Exceptionally good ! We have been a few times to Robben Island and this one didn't disappoint. The crossing over and back was very rough sea. Exhilarating which added to it !”

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3.Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 400 reviews · from $89

Start with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan, then see District Six and walk through Langa with a local guide. Meet community residents, visit a school, shebeen, healer, and market before taking the ferry to Robben Island. The prison tour is led by a former political prisoner when available.

“The Township tour was excellent. Sam gave detailed history of township..”

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4.Robben Island Ferry with Prison Ticket and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 324 reviews · 3h 30m · from $90

Take the ferry from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Robben Island, then tour the island by bus and walk through the maximum-security prison. A former political prisoner leads the prison visit, with stops at Mandela’s cell, the lime quarry, and Robert Sobukwe’s house. The full experience lasts about three and a half hours.

“Well organiser. No time waste. Very interesting and moving tour of the prison by former inmate Sparks.”

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5.Table Mountain and Robben Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 260 reviews · 8 hours · from $111

Spend a full day with a local guide such as Samora or Yamkela, combining Table Mountain, the Robben Island ferry, and a guided prison tour. Hotel pickup and Robben Island tickets are included, but the Table Mountain cable car costs extra. The order can change with weather and ferry availability.

“Date of tour: 9 Jan 2023 It was a great way to get a lot done in one day with the guide. It was a full day from 08.00 to 18.30. The tickets need to be purchased at each of the attractions. The tickets for Robben Island were bought on-line. Tickets for Table Mountain and Aquarium were bought at the venue, however there were no queues, so it went quickly.”

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6.Robben Island Museum Tour, With Optional Last Minute Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 85 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Spend about four hours crossing by shared ferry to Robben Island, then tour the prison by bus with a former political prisoner. You’ll see Nelson Mandela’s cell, the communal cells, Robert Sobukwe’s house arrest site, and the limestone quarry. Guide Medise has led some departures. Bring your passport and secure the boarding ticket before arrival.

“Medise was our guide on the bus, he really is an exceptional inspirational guide to have. Glad we made the tour while there are still ex-prissonars to share their own personal experience with us. It was a humbling experience.”

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