Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront: Accessible Heritage Day

Open to every traveller. Book it as it is, or tell us what you need, such as a step-free room, a ramp vehicle, a slower pace or a sign-language guide, and we will adapt it for you.

1 day · By road and ferry · V&A Waterfront and Robben Island World Heritage Site

Take the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years in prison, for a tour of the island and the maximum security prison. Then spend the afternoon at the V&A Waterfront, with step-free promenades and harbour views.

Who it works for

• Physical (wheelchair users and slow walkers): Partly (the ferry and island bus can carry wheelchair users, but there is a step into one prison building; read the notes below)
• Visual (blind and low vision): With support (the tour is spoken and your guide adds description)
• Hearing (Deaf and hard of hearing): With support (the tour is spoken; we arrange a sign language interpreter and a written brief)
• Hidden (autism, fatigue, chronic illness): With planning (about three and a half hours including the ferry; the crossing can be rough)

Your days

Morning

Check in at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront and take the ferry to the island. A bus tour of the island, then the prison tour.

Afternoon

Back at the V&A Waterfront for lunch and free time. Entrances are wheelchair friendly, with ramps beside steps, accessible parking and accessible toilets.

Best time to go

All year. Ferries are cancelled in bad weather, more often in winter (June–August), so we plan this early in your stay to leave room to rebook. Tickets sell out, so we book well ahead.

Good to know

• Ferry: ramps at both docks are steep, and staff help. Wheelchair users travel on the open rear deck; the upper deck and lower cabin are not accessible.
• Island bus: a lift at the centre door and a wheelchair space, but no tie-downs. There is an accessible toilet at the stop at the island’s southern tip.
• Prison: the dormitory where the talk is given has a step of 10–13 cm (4–5 inches) at the door, and the ramp into the building with Nelson Mandela’s cell is steep. Manual wheelchair users may need help.
• These details come from a detailed wheelchair user’s report, and conditions may have changed. We confirm current access with Robben Island Museum for your date before booking.

Access details checked in October 2026 against: Wheelchair Travel: Robben Island tour · Cape Town Tourism: wheelchair-friendly attractions. Facilities change, so we reconfirm every detail for your dates before booking.

Photo: HelenOnline, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons