罗本岛距离开普敦维多利亚阿尔伯特码头约11公里,这座面积仅5.07平方公里的小岛因关押过纳尔逊·曼德拉而闻名。曼德拉在这片孤岛上度过了长达18年的铁窗生涯。作为联合国教科文组织认定的世界文化遗产,罗本岛不仅仅是一处旅游景点,更记录了南非从压迫走向自由的厚重历史。现在的游玩体验通常包含约40分钟的渡轮往返以及由前政治犯亲自带领的监狱导览,总耗时大约在3.5到4小时左右。
这票真不好买,尤其是每年的12月到次年2月这种旅游旺季,提前一个月甚至更久在官网上预订才稳妥。目前非南非籍成人的门票价格大约在600到620兰特之间,票价里已经包含了往返渡轮和岛上的专业讲解。大家千万别想着到了现场再去买碰碰车票,那天大概率是白跑一趟。订票成功后,电子票一定要保存在手机里或者打印出来,登船时要查验身份证明文件,护照是必须要带的。
登船的地点位于V&A码头的纳尔逊·曼德拉门户,就在钟楼附近。说真的,建议大家至少提前30分钟到达检票处,因为排队安检和核验身份还是挺费时间的。等待的时候可以看看码头展厅里的历史介绍,那些黑白老照片能帮你快速建立起对罗本岛的第一印象。如果遇到风浪太大的情况,渡轮会临时取消,这种时候官网会发邮件通知退款或改签,出发前记得刷一下邮箱。
登岛后会换乘大巴进行环岛游,最让人动容的莫过于步入最高安全监狱区域。这里的向导通常是曾经被囚禁在此的前政治犯,他们讲的故事没有任何翻译腔,全是真实经历的细节。当你站在曼德拉那间编号为46664、面积不足5平方米的狭小牢房前,看着那张地毯和简陋的马桶,那种震撼感很难用言语形容。这种由当事人亲口叙述的沉浸式体验,让这段历史变得触手可及。
采石场是另一个让人心情沉重的地方。当年曼德拉和其他囚犯在这里被迫进行繁重的体力劳动,强烈的紫外线和石灰石反射的白光对他们的视力造成了永久性伤害。钱的问题也要算清楚,虽然这是一趟历史之旅,但岛上的自然景观其实也不错。幸运的话,你在环岛巴士上能看到非洲企鹅和跳羚。从岛上回望开普敦,桌山在海雾中若隐若现,那是我见过最壮观的视角之一。
桌湾的水域非常颠簸,怕晕船的朋友千万别硬扛,提前半小时把晕船药吃了。坐在船舱后部通常比前部稳一些。另外,海上风很大,就算开普敦市区艳阳高照,到了船上和岛上也会觉得冷,带一件防风外套绝对是明智之举。如果你赶上了下午最后一班渡轮,回程时正赶上日落,金色的光洒在海面上确实挺美,但温差也会更大。
整趟行程下来要走不少路,尤其是监狱内部的参观,一双好走的运动鞋是标配。岛上没有大型餐厅,只有码头附近的小卖部提供水和零食,建议自己在包里塞一瓶矿泉水和一点充饥的东西。如果你的行程排得很紧,罗本岛回来后千万别马上预订两小时后的其他活动,因为渡轮偶尔会因为避让海狗或者靠岸技术问题稍微延误。
理论上在码头售票柜台可以买到余票,但实际操作中热门时段基本都是售罄状态。建议至少提前3至4周通过官方网站预订,以免白跑一趟。如果你临时起意想去,可以早上八点前去码头碰碰运气,看看有没有退票。
从码头出发到返回码头,整个行程通常需要3.5到4个小时。往返渡轮各占40分钟左右,岛上的巴士环岛游和监狱内部导览大约持续2.5小时。建议预留出半天的完整时间,不要安排得太紧凑。
当桌湾的海浪超过安全标准或能见度过低时,渡轮管理处会宣布取消班次。你可以选择全额退款或者在有余位的情况下改签到后续日期。由于天气变化频繁,建议通过官方发送的手机短信或邮件确认实时航行状态。
Pedro Pontes Visiting Robben Island was an unforgettable and deeply impactful experience. The tour began with a guided bus tour, providing a comprehensive overview of the island’s history and significant sites. Midway through, we were fortunate to be guided by Luvuyo Mbulwana, an ex-political prisoner. His personal narrative and profound knowledge added a unique and poignant dimension to the visit. Luvuyo shared moving details about the harsh living conditions of the prisoners and their resistance against apartheid. His firsthand accounts brought the history to life, making the visit even more meaningful. We explored key sites, including Nelson Mandela’s cell and the limestone quarry, which symbolize the courage and resilience of those who fought for freedom. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cape Town. It’s a profound opportunity to learn about apartheid and reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Having guides like Luvuyo makes the experience truly enriching and authentic.
Irene12156 Lee The usual summer is done. This trip was made on a wet, rainy winter weekday. The guide, an ex-political convict who spent 7 years on the Robben Island high security prison was what made the visit worth the while. Entrance and ferry ticket- R600 /pax for foreign visitors.
Dionz Will Much can be done to ensure a memorable experience for visitors, improving the shop are adding a restaurant as many visitors was requesting refreshments. Card facilities instead of cash only. Also double the visitor numbers can be achieved if both ferries are running.
Sameeah Moses The tour was disappointing. Not the same as years ago. Very rushed and short story. Doesn't cover full history. Have to pack food when going. Food was sold out on island. Also have to take cash bcos no signal for electronic purchases.
Simiyu Mse A very somber visit. The tour takes over 2 hours. Please have a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses as it gets pretty bright in the limestone. It is amazing how a few years ago the world was just up side down!