South Africa Guide
Cape Town
Robben Island
Lying only a few kilometres from the commerce of the Waterfront, flat and windswept Robben Island is suffused by a meditative, otherworldly silence. This key site of South Africa's liberation struggle was intended to silence apartheid's domestic critics, but instead became an international focus for opposition to the regime. Measuring six square kilometres and sparsely vegetated by low scrub, it was Nelson Mandela's "home" for nearly two decades.
A number of vendors at the Waterfront sell tickets for cruises, which may go close to Robben Island, but only the official ones sold at the Nelson Mandela Gateway will get you onto it (R150, including boat trip either on a catamaran or the historic ferry, island entry and 3hr 30min tour). Bookings must be made in advance with a credit card ( 
021 419 1300, 
www.robben-island.org.za ) as the boats are often full, especially around December and January. Be sure to present your booking reference number and arrive at least half an hour before departure to collect your ticket. The boats operate hourly every day, except at noon and 4pm; in summer they run between 8am and 6pm, in winter between 9am and 3pm. All trips are dependent on the weather.