Every nation has its own history, that consists of struggles and injustices which in the end shaped what it would eventually become. Such a description definitely fits the country of South Africa. The tourist attraction of Robben Island is one of the symbols of this country’s story and stands today to give visitors a retelling of the past. For anyone who has some knowledge of this famous South African landmark, Robben Island is known as a former prison, which held among many others the iconic Nelson Mandela.

Today the island continues as a museum, telling just a portion of South Africa’s history, yet a very significant aspect of this history. For South Africans, it is a place that should at least be visited once, since every single citizen should know where this country has come from. For visitors from abroad, it’s definitely a place to visit to understand the great strides South Africa has made since the introduction of democracy in 1994 and the abolition of Apartheid. Here is everything you need to know about what awaits you at this world-renowned holiday attraction.

Prices, Operating Times and Other Departure Information

The ferries’ departing times are at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, and 15:00, weather permitting. The departure point is at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Once you have your tickets, make sure to get to the departure point at least 30 minutes before the departure time, because the boarding gates close 10 minutes before the ferry leaves.

The tickets can be bought online, via the site of Webtickets. The prices are as follows:

Adults                                                        R 280

Children under 18                                  R 150

If you want to reschedule, it is possible although there is an administration fee attached and it needs to be done 48 hours in advance.

If a tour is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund, just remember to bring the ticket and a proof of identification along when asking for the refund.

The entire length of the tour is approximately 3.5 hours (this includes the time taken by the ferries to reach Robben Island and return to the V&A Waterfront). Note that this only applies to the ferry named Sikhululekile, since the tour’s other ferries and other vessels take different amounts of time to make the journey.

The Ferries

Three ferries are used for the Robben Island tours. The first is Sikhululekile that was purchased in 2008 and carries 800 to 1200 visitors per day. Next is Susan Kruger. Named after the wife of Minister of Justice Jimmy Kruger, who served in the National Party Government during the Apartheid era. Lastly there is the Dias. Both the latter two were previously used during the Apartheid period to transport staff and prisoners between Robben Island and the mainland.

The Different Types of Tours

There are three types of tours offered by the Robben Island Museum. They include the General, Educational and the Specialised Tours.

The General Tour as implied is for everyone, and features a trip through all the historical areas on the island, ending with a view of the cell of Nelson Mandela. All the Tour Guides you will meet were formerly political prisoners on Robben Island.

The Educational Tour, which runs from May the 2nd to October the 31st, caters for learners in primary and secondary schools throughout South Africa. The information that young people learn here is more detailed than that found in the General Tour, and focuses on promoting an understanding and devotion to development and human rights.

Specialised Tours can be broken up further into three types. The first is the Private Tour that exists for singular persons or small groups. VIP Tours are aimed at people with great social influence, and feature private guides and transport. Lastly there are Protocol Tours, which are designed for Heads of State.

There’s more to be discovered on Robben Island

All this and a whole lot more awaits visitors to the Robben Island Museum. If you’re seeking more information, contact details are listed below:

Nelson Mandela Gateway

Tel: 021 413 4200

Email: infow@robben-island.org.za

Robben Island Museum

Tel: 021 409 5100

Email: infoi@robben-island.org.za