I bought my ticket directly from the Robben Island operator. Once you get on the ferry, there is no use for a middle man as the Robben Island tour is run by Robben Island staff and volunteers, including those formerly imprisoned there. You will get off the ferry and walk to get the bus that takes everyone over to start the tour. There is walking involved as well. I was staying at the Belmond Mount Nelson and there was a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to the waterfront area. If you want a tour guide for the waterfront and Robben Island, Viator is probably as good as any but you do not need Viator just to do the Robben Island excursion.
The one thing you need to keep in mind is that the ferry may not run because of rough seas. You may luck out with your one free day but I had extra days and was glad I did because I was just about to board the 1 pm ferry when the day's excursion was cancelled due to rough seas. I simply exchanged my ticket for the next day. I have heard that one is better off trying to do the morning tour because it is more likely to go than the afternoon tour. Not sure how true that is but just something I thought I'd pass along.
We are going in September and we already purchased our tix to Robben Island. It is less expensive than going with a company such as Viator—what you get is the same whether thru Viator or on your own.
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Try Viator, I used them in South Africa.
I bought my ticket directly from the Robben Island operator. Once you get on the ferry, there is no use for a middle man as the Robben Island tour is run by Robben Island staff and volunteers, including those formerly imprisoned there. You will get off the ferry and walk to get the bus that takes everyone over to start the tour. There is walking involved as well. I was staying at the Belmond Mount Nelson and there was a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to the waterfront area. If you want a tour guide for the waterfront and Robben Island, Viator is probably as good as any but you do not need Viator just to do the Robben Island excursion.
The one thing you need to keep in mind is that the ferry may not run because of rough seas. You may luck out with your one free day but I had extra days and was glad I did because I was just about to board the 1 pm ferry when the day's excursion was cancelled due to rough seas. I simply exchanged my ticket for the next day. I have heard that one is better off trying to do the morning tour because it is more likely to go than the afternoon tour. Not sure how true that is but just something I thought I'd pass along.
We are going in September and we already purchased our tix to Robben Island. It is less expensive than going with a company such as Viator—what you get is the same whether thru Viator or on your own.