Robben Island is a fascinating place of in our South African heritage, especially for those history buffs and not to be missed. We have taken some key facts from the Robben Island website itself, but don't want to tell you too much and ruin your tour!

From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site (made so in 1999) and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price paid for freedom. It remains a painful reminder of the dark days in South Africa, and a symbol of human dignity and suppression during the Apartheid years of the Nationalist Government. Its purpose for many years was to imprison dissidents, political opponents - freedom fighters and enemies of the Apartheid regime. Only a mere 7 kilometres from the mainland, this is where the admirable Nelson Mandela spent 18 out of his 27 years of imprisonment.

The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. Ferries depart at 9am, 11am, and 1pm, in the season there is an additional departure at 3pm, weather permitting, from the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The tour includes:

• A return boat trip across Table Bay
  
• A visit to the infamous Maximum Security Prison
  
• Interaction with an ex-political prisoner
  
• A 45-minute bus ride with a guide providing commentary
  
• The opportunity to explore the Murray's Bay Harbour precinct attractions, such as the Muslim shrine, or kramat, and the Museum Shop.

Tickets are R220 for adults and R110 for all children under the age of 18.

You are advised to pre-book your tickets to avoid disappointment, but this can be done at the guest house if you are not sure how much time you have whilst in Cape Town. You must arrive 30 minutes before your tour to collect your tickets with the credit card used present. Please make sure they check.