This former prison in Table Bay held Nelson Mandela for 18 years. Now a museum and UNESCO site, it symbolizes South Africa's journey from apartheid to democracy.
Just 7 kilometers from Cape Town in Table Bay lies Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in cell number 5. Today, you can walk through the concrete corridors of this former maximum-security prison, climb to the 19th-century lighthouse, and explore military bunkers from World War II. Watch African penguins waddle along the rocky shores while former political prisoners share their personal stories of life during apartheid.
Ferry Schedule and Booking
Your journey begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, with ferries departing at 9:00, 11:00, and 13:00. During the 30-minute crossing, you'll see Table Mountain and Cape Town's skyline across the bay. Reserve your spot at least three days ahead through the official website or ticket office - the 200-person boats fill up quickly. Plan for a 3.5-hour round trip including the tour.
Prison Museum Tour Route
Walk through the maximum-security prison complex with guides who were once political prisoners themselves. Your journey starts at the prison administration building, moves through communal cells and the isolation wing, and takes you to the limestone quarry. Here, prisoners worked eight hours daily breaking rocks. Your guide will tell you about ingenious communication methods prisoners created, like hiding messages in tennis balls and burying notes in the quarry.
Nelson Mandela's Prison Cell
Cell number 5 in Section B measures 2.4 by 2.1 meters. Inside, you'll find the same bucket toilet, thin blankets, and small table from Mandela's 18-year confinement. Walk down the corridor to see photographs and documents about daily prison life, and visit nearby cells with exhibits about other anti-apartheid activists like Walter Sisulu and Ahmed Kathrada.
Island Wildlife
On the northern shore, 800 African penguins make their home among the rocks - a colony reestablished in 1983 after disappearing in the 1800s. Look for Cape fur seals sunbathing on western rocky outcrops, and spot cormorants and gulls nesting along the coastline. The island rises just 30 meters above sea level, shaped by centuries of waves.
Practical Information
Tours run Friday through Sunday, 09:00 to 14:30. International visitors pay ZAR1400 for adults and ZAR820 for children, with lower rates for South African citizens. Your ticket includes a cap and water bottle. While the museum opens year-round, rough weather can cancel ferry crossings. Wear sun protection and sturdy walking shoes for the uneven ground. You'll find restrooms and a small shop for drinks and snacks on the island.
