Visit to Robben Island

From€ 29
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General information

Robben Island is located around 11 km off the coast of Cape Town. Apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years in this prison. Not only because of the captivity of Nelson Mandela, but also because of the special flora and fauna, the island is worth a visit.

During this excursion you will be taken by boat to Robben Island, a guided bus tour of the island and a guided tour of the former prisoner.

It happens that the sea is too wild for the boat trip, sometimes the boat unexpectedly does not leave for technical reasons. We will keep you informed of this information. A refund will follow through us. Reservation required.
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Specifications

7275
From€ 29
Half day
Daily at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (in the September-April peak season also at 3 p.m.)
Not included
Not included
Western Cape
V&A Waterfront
V&A Waterfront
All ages
  • Ticket Robben Island
  • Ferry-crossing
  • Bustour on island
  • Tour of the detention center by a former prisoner
  • Flights and possibly visa
  • travel and cancelaltion insurance
  • Personal expenses and fees
  • Snacks and drinks
Dagprogramma
Day program -
Robben Island is an island located off the coast of South Africa near Cape Town. It is a notorious island that has been used for nearly 400 years to accommodate prisoners and exiles. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) made it into a penal colony at the beginning of the 17th century. Troubled sailors from Cape Town were imprisoned here by the VOC. The water around the island is ice cold due to the cold gulf stream that passes here. There are also countless white sharks swimming in the sea. Only three escaped prisoners who tried to swim to the coast ever survived their flight. From 1836 to 1931, Robben Island was a leper colony and in 1959 the island was set up as an extra-secure prison of the South African apartheid regime.

In 1638 the Dutch used it as a penal colony. This only came to an end in 1991, a year after the release of Nelson Mandela. Robben Island has become known worldwide for the captivity of Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid fighters on the island. There was a lime mine on the island, where the prisoners had to extract limestone. The bright blinding light and the fine dust in the white lime mine damaged Nelson Mandela’s eyes. While working in the lime mine, the prisoners were sometimes able to talk to each other, although the guards were not allowed to talk about politics.

In 1999 the island was named a historic monument. You can now make a prison tour, where you can visit the cell where Nelson Mandela was staying. The tour is often given by former political prisoners.

The crossing to Robben Island is by boat from the Nelson Mandela gate in the harbor of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront near Cape Town. We recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the spot. We are happy to book these tickets for you! For this reservation we need your ID number and full name. Also bring your passport or a copy thereof on the day of the excursion.

Rates

Rates


€
R
p.o.a. = Price on request
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