Cape Town: Robben Island, Aquarium & Cape Wheel Private Tour

Three Cape Town landmarks in one day, without arranging tickets or transport

You're picked up from your hotel and taken through three of Cape Town's main attractions in a single day: a guided tour of Robben Island's prison museum by official museum staff, self-guided time at the Two Oceans Aquarium to see penguins and sharks, and a ride on the Cape Wheel with city views. Lunch is on your own, but all entry fees, ferry transfers, and transport are arranged and paid for — you just show up at 8am.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Hotel pick-up in Cape Town
• Drive to Nelson Mandela Gateway
• Check in for 09:00 ferry to Robben Island
• Ferry ride to Robben Island
• Guided tour of Robben Island and Prison Museum
• Return ferry to V&A Waterfront
• Lunch or explore V&A Waterfront
• Visit Two Oceans Aquarium
• Ride the Cape Wheel for city views
• Return to hotel by private vehicle

The Experience

Your guide-driver arrives at your hotel at 8am sharp, and within twenty minutes you're heading toward the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The ferry to Robben Island leaves at 9am, so there's no hanging around — you board, cross Table Bay, and step onto the UNESCO site where the prison museum and guided bus tour are waiting. Official Robben Island Museum guides walk you through the Maximum Security Prison, and you hear the stories of who was held there and why the island mattered to South Africa's history. It's heavy stuff, and it's meant to be.

Back at the Waterfront by early afternoon, you've got time to grab lunch at one of the restaurants or cafés there (your own cost), or just wander the shops and take photos if you'd rather skip eating. Then it's into the Two Oceans Aquarium, where you move through at your own pace — African penguins, ragged-tooth sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, the kelp forest tank. The aquarium sits right where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and the exhibits are built around what actually lives in those waters. No rushing, no group schedule, just you and whatever catches your eye.

The Cape Wheel wraps up the day. You ride in a fully enclosed cabin about 40 metres up, and if the weather's clear you see Table Mountain, Signal Hill, the city centre, and on a good day, Robben Island itself from the other direction. Drop-off is around 5pm, though ferry queues and traffic can shift that by an hour either way. Bottled water is included throughout, and your private vehicle means no shared minibus, no waiting for other pickups.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and drop-off within 10km of Cape Town city centre.
• private air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• Robben Island ferry transfer and boat ride.
• official Robben Island Museum guided tour and Maximum Security Prison Museum entry.
• Two Oceans Aquarium entry with self-guided exploration.
• Cape Wheel general observation cabin ride.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Cape Town's three main waterfront attractions in one day without arranging separate tickets, ferries, or transport — the private vehicle and pre-booked entries mean you move straight from one stop to the next instead of hunting for queues or navigating the Waterfront yourself.

Top questions

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is at 8am from your hotel. The ferry to Robben Island leaves at 9am. Estimated return to your accommodation is around 5pm, though this can vary depending on ferry operations, queues, and traffic.

Is lunch included?

No. You have leisure time at the V&A Waterfront between the Robben Island tour and the aquarium, and you can eat at one of the restaurants, cafés or food outlets there at your own cost. You can also skip lunch and browse shops or take photos instead.

Do I need to bring my passport or ID?

Yes. All guests must have a clear photograph or digital copy of their passport or identification document saved on their mobile phone. The full name provided when booking must match the identification document exactly.

Is the Robben Island tour guided or self-guided?

It's guided. Official Robben Island Museum guides conduct a bus tour of the island and lead you through the Maximum Security Prison Museum. The aquarium visit is self-guided, and you explore the exhibits at your own pace.

What will I see at the Two Oceans Aquarium?

The aquarium displays marine life from the southern African coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Depending on what's available during your visit, you may see African penguins, rockhopper penguins, ragged-tooth sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, moray eels, octopuses, tropical fish, rock lobsters, anemones, and kelp forest marine life.

What views will I see from the Cape Wheel?

From the observation cabin about 40 metres above the Waterfront, you can see Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Cape Town Stadium, Granger Bay, Robben Island, the city centre, the V&A Waterfront, and the surrounding mountains and coastline — depending on weather and visibility.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, Robben Island involves a bus tour and walking through the prison museum, and the aquarium requires walking through multiple exhibits. If you have specific mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off; private vehicle transport; Robben Island ferry and prison museum guided tour; Two Oceans Aquarium entry; Cape Wheel general ticket; and bottled water throughout the day.

Can I upgrade to a VIP cabin on the Cape Wheel?

No. A standard Cape Wheel ride is included. VIP cabin upgrades and photographs are not included and would be at additional cost.

How far from Cape Town city centre can I be picked up?

Hotel pickup is available from Cape Town and surrounding areas within a 10-kilometre radius of Cape Town city centre.