Robben Island

Other African leaders, civilians, soldiers, Muslim leaders from East Indies and anti apartheid activists were all imprisoned in Robben Island. From mid 1600s Robben Island was used for imprisonment. It was not only a prison but also a defense and training station during the World War II. It also had a hospital for leprosy affected people as it was found safe to isolate such people in that island. People who were mentally affected and who had chronic diseases were held in the Robben Island.

A Museum was established in the Robben Island in the year 1997 and that place is declared as a world heritage site in the year 1999 by UNESCO . The Robben Island has many credits to it like being the National Monument of South Africa, National Museum, Heritage Site, and an Associated Institution.

Tourism is developed focusing on the history of Robben Island. Professional tours are organized by the tourism department which is a memorable experience for all the tourists. General tours, VIP Tours, Protocol Tours, and Private Tours are organized. Tours Unit, Transport Unit and Specialized Tours, Events and Conferencing Unit are the three units available for providing professional services to the visitors of Robben Island. The tours are conducted by the former prisoners of the Robben Island. The tours make the visitors realized that Robben Island is a place of pain and victory.

Tourists are transported to the Robben Island in Ferries. The ferries to the Robben Island start from the Nelson Mandela Gateway in V&A Waterfront in Cape Town . In the Island the tourists are taken by bus for the visit. All the transportation costs are included in the price of the tours organized. Small groups and individuals can opt for private tours. The VIP tours are for the VIPs and the Protocol tours are for the heads of the State. Venues for special events and conferencing are available in the Robben Island and in the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

The ferry timings at the Nelson Mandela Gateway are 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. These are the regular timings provided the weather is good in that location. For any general tour you might be spending about three and a half hours including the ferry timing to and from the Robben Island. Most of the time in the standard tour is for ferry only. It takes around 2.5 hours of the standard tour.

The standard tour to the Robben Island includes the visit to the Maximum Security Prison. It also includes an interaction with an ex-political prisoner of Robben Island. The Bus tour in the Robben Island is about 45 minutes with commentary from a guide. The tickets for the tour of the Robben Island are sold for R200 for the adults and it is R100 for children below 18 years of age. Schools can get concession rates for the tickets from the Education department.