National park · South Africa
Robben IslandRobben Island National Park
Visit Robben Island for a 3‑5 hour tour: take the standard ferry from V&A Waterfront (R400 SA adult, R210 child) in the morning; walk the historic prison trail (easy, 2 km (1.2 mi)) and see the penguin colony; avoid peak summer weekends.Visit Robben Island for a 3‑5 hour tour: take the standard ferry from V&A Waterfront (R400 SA adult, R210 child) in the morning; walk the historic prison trail (easy, 1.2 mi (2 km)) and see the penguin colony; avoid peak summer weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
- Area listed as 12.5 km²; some sources give slightly different figures due to inclusion of surrounding marine zone (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 7 km off Cape Town, was a prison for anti‑apartheid activists and now hosts a museum, historic walk and a large African penguin colony.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Robben Island Museum.
Size and age
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²) · national park since 1961
Area listed as 12.5 km²; some sources give slightly different figures due to inclusion of surrounding marine zone (check).
Why go
- Historic prison where Nelson Mandela was held, now a museum.
- Walk the short, well‑marked trail through the former cells and guard houses.
- See the large African penguin colony that nests on the island’s beaches.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanMild summer, good for penguins.
- FebWarm, low rain.
- MarEnd of summer, still dry.
- AprSpring, comfortable temps.
- MayCooler, fewer tourists.
- JunWinter start, pleasant.
- JulWinter chill, occasional rain.
- AugColdest month, wind.
- SepEarly spring, good weather.
- OctWarm, low crowds.
- NovLate spring, great for wildlife.
- DecSummer start, busy.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African penguin colonyAll year · Around 13 000 birds; watch from designated boardwalk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cape Town V&A Waterfront
Board the Nelson Mandela Gateway ferry; departure times 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00.Board the Nelson Mandela Gateway ferry; departure times 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM.
≈ 30 min boat + 2–3 h tour
Open the page →
From Cape Town Airport
Taxi or rideshare to V&A Waterfront, then ferry.
≈ 45 min total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Mandela Gateway | Ferry terminal, ticket office, waiting area. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Robben Island historic area | Prison buildings, guard house, museum displays. | Guided walk included in ticket. |
| Penguin colony beaches | Northern and western beaches where African penguins nest. | View from designated paths; no feeding. |
Sketch map
- 1V&A Waterfront · Town≈-33.907, 18.420Ferry departure point.Map ↗
- 2Nelson Mandela Gateway · Gate≈-33.907, 18.420Ticket office and boarding area.Map ↗
- 3Robben Island · Headquarters≈-33.805, 18.370Historic prison and museum.Map ↗
- 4Penguin Colony Beach · Beach≈-33.800, 18.380Viewing area for penguins.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; island centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robben Island tour (ferry + museum) | ZAR 210–600 (≈ US$12–35) | person | International adult R600, child R310; South African adult R400, child R210. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tour ticket permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Smoking
- Prohibited on the island.
- Guides
- Tour guide required for the historic walk; included in ticket.
- Access
- Visitors must stay on marked paths; off‑trail walking is prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cape Town hotels
Wide range of accommodation 5–20 min drive from the ferry terminal.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Boat safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Ferry terminal is wheelchair accessible; the historic walk includes some uneven surfaces.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on paths to protect penguin nesting sites.
- Do not feed wildlife.
- Use the official ferry service to limit environmental impact.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Robben Island?
Tickets range from R210 for South African children to R600 for international adults; the price includes the ferry and guided museum tour.
What are the best hikes in Robben Island?
The main historic walk is a 2 km flat trail covering the former prison buildings; it is easy and suitable for most visitors.
When is the best time to visit Robben Island?
Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; summer is busy but still accessible.
Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?
The ferry is wheelchair accessible; the historic walk has some uneven sections, so a stroller may be difficult.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. The island limits visits to 1 800 people per day; tickets sell out weeks ahead, especially in peak months.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Robben Island
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