Robben Island is an island located in Table Bay, seven kilometres off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. The name is Dutch for “seal island”.
A former prison island (where Nelson Mandela was famously kept), Robben Island is now a sight for tourists to see how far South Africa has come since Apartheid. The island was once known for its institutional brutality, but is now a spot where visitors can relax and enjoy the views from one of South Africa’s most historically rich areas.
Robben Island has not only been used as a prison. It was a training and defense station in World War II (1939-1945) and a hospital for leprosy patients. In the 1840s, Robben Island was chosen for a hospital because it was both secure and healthy.
The only public means of transportation to the island include a ferry service, which takes roughly 30 minutes to dock, and for those looking to spend a bit more, a helicopter service is available as well.
Once on the island, activities include taking a tour of the island, going into the famous lighthouse, and looking through the various museums and sights on offer. The island is very small and can easily be completely traversed by foot in a few hours.
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