Robben Island: A Journey Through South Africa’s Past

Visiting Robben Island is not just a day trip—it’s an emotional journey through South Africa’s turbulent yet triumphant history. Just 30 minutes by ferry from the bustling V&A Waterfront, the island stands in stark contrast to the postcard-perfect views of Table Mountain in the distance.

Used as a prison for over 400 years, Robben Island was most infamously known for incarcerating Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 years here in a small, barren cell. Walking through the maximum-security prison, you’ll be guided by former political prisoners, who share deeply personal stories of struggle, hope, and eventual liberation.

The tour includes a bus ride around the island, where you’ll pass a lime quarry where prisoners toiled under the blazing sun, and a penguin colony—now thriving in the peace of freedom hard-won. Robben Island is a symbol of the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the harshest oppression.

Don’t Miss: The moment you stand in Mandela’s actual cell. It’s small, stark, and overwhelmingly powerful.