A Journey Through 400 Years of History

Infamous for being the holding place of Nelson Mandela during his many years of imprisonment, Robben Island has a 400 year history of being a place of exile, punishment and isolation. Situated 12km from the coast of Cape Town, it has been home to political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. Since the Dutch settled in the Cape in the mid-1600's, Robben Islands primary function was that of a prison. However, thousands of years ago, when the channel between the Cape and the Island was not covered in water, the island was happily inhabited by people. Catch a ferry and explore this fascinating destination. Ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway.