Robben Island Travel Guide
Robben Island travel guide: interactive map, live weather, best time to visit, things to do and nearby places.
Summary
Robben Island is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cape Town. Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the prison island of Nelson Mandela.
Right now it is 71°F (21°C) in Robben Island with clear sky. It feels like 65°F. Today runs from 58°F to 73°F. Chance of precipitation is 6%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.8/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Robben Island is January, February, March, October, November and December. The climate is Mediterranean. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 82°F, while July is the coldest with lows near 47°F.
The closest major airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT), about 18 mi away. Nearby highlights include Camps Bay Beach, Table Mountain and Boulders Beach.
In plain terms. Today is about average for October. The forecast high of 73°F is in line with the 75°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 4 PM to 7 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in Robben Island today at 9.3/10. Gusts to 38 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Map of Robben Island
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 33°48′24.1″S 18°22′0.1″E (-33.8067, 18.3667)
Weather in Robben Island right now
Use SPF 30+, a hat and sunglasses; seek shade near midday.
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 1:13 AM, Oct 4 local time.
Weekend outlook
☁️ 73° / 58°
Overcast · 6% rain · wind 20 mph
☁️ 83° / 54°
Overcast · 0% rain · wind 12 mph
Quick facts about Robben Island
| Type | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
|---|---|
| City | Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Continent | Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°48′24.1″S 18°22′0.1″E (-33.8067, 18.3667) |
| UNESCO inscription | 1999 |
| Known for | the prison island of Nelson Mandela |
| Local time | 1:13 AM (UTC+02:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, October, November and December |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
Things to do in Robben Island
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Robben Island.
Best time to visit Robben Island
Go in January, February, March, October, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and August - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 69°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 38 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and August - historically the least comfortable months here.
Airports near Robben Island
Closest airports with IATA codes and distances.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town International Airport | CPT | 18 mi | Cape Town |
Explore Robben Island
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Travel Guide for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Robben Island?
Robben Island is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cape Town. Its coordinates are -33.8067, 18.3667. It lies in Africa.
What is the weather like in Robben Island right now?
It is currently 71°F (21°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 46% and wind is 18 mph.
When is the best time to visit Robben Island?
January, February, March, October, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Robben Island, which has a Mediterranean climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Robben Island in?
Robben Island observes Africa/Johannesburg (UTC+02:00). The local time is 1:13 AM.
What is the nearest airport to Robben Island?
The closest airports are Cape Town International Airport (CPT), 18 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Robben Island?
Popular options include Camps Bay Beach, Table Mountain and Boulders Beach.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (unesco-sites) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 4, 2026 at 1:13 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
