• Blog
  • The Nomadic Notes Newsletter

Nomadic Notes

Travel blog featuring transport and accommodation guides in Southeast Asia

  • Southeast Asia Train Travel
  • Thailand Travel
  • Vietnam Travel
  • Where To Stay

Visiting the former apartheid prison of Robben Island

June 17, 2016 By James Clark

Robben Island, South Africa

Cape Town has a range of museums and memorials remembering the era of apartheid. The most well-known symbol of apartheid is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

Robben Island is about 7km off the coast of Cape Town at its closest point, and it has served as a prison since the 17th century, when the Dutch realised its potential as a prison.

The ferry to Robben Island departs from the V&A Waterfront at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island; a purpose-built pier and exhibition centre.

Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island

Before you go though visit the Jetty 1 Museum, which is also at the V&A Waterfront. This jetty is where ferries would take prisoners, guards, and supplies to the island.

Jetty 1 Museum

This ferry terminal houses a small collection of photos and artifacts of the jetty’s role in the processing of prisoners.

People of Robben Island

At the ferry terminal there is more information about the apartheid system and those who opposed it.

Apartheid story

The ferry takes about half an hour and the trip is worth it for the cruise itself. The ferry ticket includes the tour of the island.

Harbour

Upon arrival at the island there are waiting buses which drive around the islands main sites.

Freedom cannot be manacled!

One of the stops is the lime quarry where Nelson Mandela was forced to labour. In the background is Table Mountain, which was a daily reminder of freedom from the island. At the entrance of the quarry is a pile of rocks where Nelson Mandela and former prisoners added one rock each at a prisoner reunion.

Lime Quarry

We stopped for a drinks and toilet break which doubles as a moment to enjoy the view of Table Mountain from across the bay.

Photo spot

The island is a haven for birdlife, including a bazillion seagulls and the African oystercatcher, which is a coastal bird found in southern Africa.

African oystercatcher

After driving around the island we were taken back to the prison for the next part of the tour. Our guide was a former political prisoner, who was imprisoned here for five years in the 1980’s. It’s mind-blowing to think that in my lifetime people were being imprisoned because of the colour of their skin.

He said his family doesn’t like visiting Robben Island, but he finds coming here and doing tours is a form of therapy.

Former prisoner

Most people come to Robben Island to visit Nelson Mandela’s cell. After we had been led through the cell block our guide asked which cell was Mandela’s. We didn’t know because all the cells looked the same. I was expecting to see a cell that had been turned into a mini shrine with photos and flowers, or at least a plaque.

I think that it’s great that there is no marker. He was a prisoner among hundreds of others who were unjustly imprisoned during the apartheid regime. The island has also been home to two other presidents: Kgalema Motlanthe, and current president Jacob Zuma (who was not the most popular figure at the time of my visit).

Mandela's cell

My thoughts on the tour

I felt privileged to have a former prisoner as a guide, but with so many people visiting the island the tour group was too big. There were over 50 people in our group and the guide had a hard time trying to corral everyone into the same place before starting his next presentation. People at the back were wandering off doing their own thing or talking loudly during his talk, which was distracting and disrespectful.

Tour crowd

I also didn’t like that we were put onto a bus and shipped around the island without being out to get out of the bus to see the sites (apart from the photo opportunity place). The bus had 3-2 seat configuration so it was packed.

I think a better option would be to offer bicycles so you can see the island at your own pace, in addition to the bus option. The island is only 5 square kilometres and flat, so it would be an easy cycle for most people. A well-defined bike path with information boards at the most important stops would be a great outing.

For the prison tour, they should offer self-guided tours or tours with former prisoners. As more visitors come to the island and the inevitable dwindling numbers the former prisoners, maybe this will be a future reality.

Overall though Robben Island is one of the highlights of visiting Cape Town, and even if the political aspect doesn’t interest you should go to get the best view of Cape Town.

Table Mountain from Robben Island

Booking Robben Island Tours

I’m told that you probably wont get a ticket if you just turned up before the boat leaves, so book ahead. I turned up at the terminal the day before to buy a ticket which was 300 Rand (about $20 USD).

If you are short on time and want to lock in a date then have a look at these Robben Island and Cape Town combined tours

Resources

robben-island.org.za – Official site.
Robben Island photo gallery.

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: cape town, robben island, south africa

About James Clark

James Clark is the founder of Nomadic Notes. He has been a digital nomad since 2003, and Nomadic Notes features trip reports, train travel articles, and where to stay guides. He writes about transport and urban development at Future Southeast Asia. Subscribe to the weekly travel newsletter.

Nomadic Notes Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter for a summary of the latest posts, site updates, and other unblogged ramblings.

About Nomadic Notes

James Clark from Nomadic Notes

Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

More about me and Nomadic Notes.

Get more travel reads

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter of the best travel reads at The Travel Wire.

Follow Nomadic Notes

About Nomadic Notes

About
Contact
Press/Media Mentions
Where I've Been

Search Nomadic Notes

Follow Nomadic Notes

Where To Stay In…

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hong Kong
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
Macau
Penang
Singapore

Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter for a summary of the latest posts, site updates, and other unblogged ramblings.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Copyright © 2025 Nomadic Notes · Site Map | Privacy · Log in