How to Get Robben Island Tickets
By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read
Quick answer
Robben Island tours leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, usually at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm. Tickets cost about R600-620 for adults, including the ferry, bus tour and prison visit with a former prisoner. Book online days or weeks ahead, especially November to March, and check for weather cancellations.
At a glance
- Adults
- About R600-620
- Children 4-17
- About R310
- Includes
- Ferry, island bus tour, prison tour
- Sailings
- Usually 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm
- Booking
- Online, days or weeks ahead
- Cancellations
- Rough seas
- Time to allow
- About 4 hours
How busy is Robben Island?
Each tour is capped, and summer sailings sell out. Ferries are cancelled in rough weather, which pushes people onto the next days.
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Before you go, check how busy Robben Island is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for South African holidays, summer season and weather.
Check today’s crowds at The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island →Best (and worst) times to go
- First sailing (9 am): calmer seas and fresher group.
- Winter weekdays: easier booking.
- Worst for booking: December and January.
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Our hourly forecast for Robben Island shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island →Insider tips that actually save time
- Book on the official site.