Robben Island Museum.

 World Heritage Site. Cape Town. South Africa.

Cape Town
Tour

Tours have been upgraded to accommodate 1000 visitors daily. Tickets are sold from the Embarkation Point on Jetty 1 at the V&A Waterfront, directly in front of the extension to the Victoria Wharf. The office is open from 07h30 - 17h00.

Robben Island’s reputation as an apartheid jail which conjures up images of suffering has relegated its rich bird, animal and marine life from the spotlight.

A total of 74 bird species have been recorded on the Island. Many of the seabirds use the Island for breeding and resting. Some birds from the mainland such as cattle egrets and black crowned night herons breed on the island in large colonies. The Cape Jackass penguin is a species that was abundant in the 17th century but was eliminated by human activities. By 1983 however, the penguins had re-established themselves as a breeding population. The African Oystercatcher is on the list of endangered species but is also re-establishing itself.

The natural vegetation is classified as Strandveld of the West Coast which has been disturbed by the built environment and extensive plantations of shrubs and exotic trees, planted to provide shade for the lepers. The indigenous vegetation was perceived to be sparse and not providing a healing environment. The exotic trees have been used by birds as nesting areas - a factor which raises interesting questions as to whether to cut down the exotic trees.

The spectacular veld flowers typical of the West Coast also occur on the island during spring. Geological evidence indicates that millions of years ago Robben Island was joined to the mainland at Blouberg on the West Coast.

There are two species of amphibians, eight lizards and geckos, three species of snakes and one species of tortoise on the island. Small herds of Bontebok, springbok, steenbok, fallow deer and eland as well as an increasing number of ostriches live on the island.

The submarine flora and fauna found around the island is typical of the south-Western Cape region. Thanks to the one mile exclusion zone around the island, protected species like abalone (perlemoen) and rock lobster occur in large numbers.

The 29 shipwrecks around the island are also protected by the exclusion zone. The first reported shipwreck near Robben Island was that of Yeanger of Horne, which was wrecked near the northern shore in 1611. The sandy beach on the Eastern side of the island (adjacent to the harbor) is the burial ground of many of those who died in the accident.

Cape Town Tour

Where to go?

Fresh Crayfish
at the
Beach Hotel
Kitchen.

Contact: info@sunsetbeach.co.za
Tel: +27 21 783 4283   Fax: + 27 21 783 4286

Royal Crowned Crane
for
Cape Town Eco-Tourism.