One day with Speedboat
Shared from$90/ person
About This Place
Kanawa Island near Labuan Bajo is a beach and reef stop on some local boat itineraries. It is different from Kenawa Island near Poto Tano in Sumbawa. Check the spelling and map pin when comparing a cruise or transfer.
A short distance from town does not establish open landing access, an operating resort or calm snorkelling water. Choose it on the basis of the actual departure, permission and crew assessment.
At a Glance
- Also known asPulau Kanawa, Kanawah Island, Kanawa Komodo
- TypeIsland, Beach, Snorkel Site
- How to get thereLiveaboard, Speedboat Day Trip, Fast Boat
- Travel time from Labuan BajoVessel, route and conditions dependent; request a passage estimate for the named departure.
- LandingJetty
- Last checked2026-09-12
What to Expect
Expect a small-island shore and nearby reef rather than a guaranteed resort day. The beach, jetty, accommodation and food service are separate facilities whose availability must be checked for the exact date. Old photographs of bungalows or a pier are not current operating confirmation.
Shallow water can still contain current, boat movement and coral close to the surface. Ask for a guided assessment before entering. A non-swimmer can choose a shore visit or remain aboard when those options are available; do not treat standing on the reef as a substitute for swimming.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026. Indonesia Travel includes Kanawa among local sailing and snorkelling destinations. That overview does not confirm today's landing permission, business operations or exact park boundary at the activity point.
Crowds and Timing
Boat movements and any day-use access limit affect crowding. There is no dependable quiet hour established here. Confirm your route's planned stop rather than assuming Kanawa is always first, last or empty at midday.
Dive and Snorkel Profile
- Dive typeShore, Slope
- CertificationNone (snorkel)
- EntryShore entry
How to Visit
Before booking: send the operator the Kanawa map pin and ask whether landing is authorised on your date, who manages access, what fee applies and whether the charge is included. Obtain separate confirmation for accommodation, meals or a day-use arrangement.
Before leaving Labuan Bajo: confirm the pickup point, vessel, actual time allocated to Kanawa and return arrangement. A direct passage estimate is different from a multi-stop itinerary. Bring drinking water, sun protection and any food agreed with the crew.
On arrival: let the crew choose the transfer and water-activity area after checking current, wind, tide and other boats. Ask for a dry alternative and the return signal. If the landing is unavailable, the substitution should follow the operator's written terms.
Compare the access and exposure choices in snorkelling near Labuan Bajo. For a longer sailing, ask whether Kanawa is actually named in the Komodo Tour 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary.
Boats That Sail Here
Compare 12 bookable boats that include Kanawa Island on published itineraries.
Who This Suits
Kanawa may fit a shorter island outing or a stop on a longer route when access is available. Match the shore transfer and supervised water activity to your group's ability.
For children, nervous swimmers or mobility needs, request a specific plan and a dry alternative. Do not choose it on the assumption of permanently mild current, open facilities or an easy shore entry.
For the activity decision, compare snorkelling sites near Labuan Bajo and Komodo Snorkelling for Weak Swimmers. A published site profile does not replace the crew's assessment on the day.
What to Bring
- Water, sun protection and any agreed food
- A dry bag and footwear for the actual landing
- Suitable, properly fitted activity equipment
- The operator's contact and return arrangement saved offline
Safety Notes
Current strength and a safe entry cannot be inferred from the island's proximity to Labuan Bajo. Follow the crew's assessment, equipment instructions and boundaries; disclose limited swimming ability before the trip. Do not swim beyond the supported area or between islands.
Avoid standing on coral and keep fins clear of shallow reef. Confirm how to regain the boat and how the operator handles an injury or a cancelled landing. Travel time back to town is not a promised emergency-response time.
Photography Notes
Use the island and reef as you find them, with natural colour and respect for other visitors. Confirm any drone permissions separately; an operator's beach access does not automatically authorise a flight. Keep photography clear of transfer operations.
Entrance Fee
Confirm permission for the exact landing and ask who collects each fee. This desk review does not establish a definitive legal boundary at every activity point. Other park stops and Kanawa access may involve different charges; request an itemised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kanawa Island inside Komodo National Park?
This desk review has not established the legal boundary for every Kanawa activity point. Do not infer the fee from a marketing label. Ask the operator which entry or landing charges apply to the named route, and request the breakdown separately from any visits to Padar, Rinca or Komodo.
How far is Kanawa from Labuan Bajo?
It is in the near-Labuan-Bajo island group. Ask for a passage estimate for the named vessel and conditions; a speedboat, wooden boat and route with preceding stops take different amounts of time.
Can you snorkel straight from the beach?
Only when beach access and the water entry are approved by the crew. Confirm the supported area, depth, current, flotation and return route. Shallow water is not automatically suitable for a beginner or non-swimmer.
Are there Komodo dragons on Kanawa?
Kanawa is not one of the managed dragon-trek gateways. Choose an authorised ranger-led visit on Komodo or Rinca for that purpose; a Kanawa beach visit is a different activity.
Is there accommodation or a warung on Kanawa?
Current accommodation, food service, toilets and jetty access have not been confirmed. Obtain a dated response from the actual manager or your operator and bring the essentials rather than relying on an old resort listing.
Is the snorkelling at Kanawa actually good?
It depends on water conditions, reef area and the group's ability. Choose it for the actual supervised experience available on your date, not a guarantee of turtles, clear water or no current.
When is Kanawa least crowded?
There is no verified daily crowd timetable here. Ask how the operator's arrival fits other boats and access arrangements. Changing the order can also change sailing time and conditions.
Should Kanawa be first or last on the itinerary?
Let the captain plan it around the route, permission and water conditions. If Kanawa is your priority, ask for the intended time there and the alternative if it cannot be visited.
What the Park Costs
| What you pay | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance, foreign visitor | Rp 250,000 ≈ $14 | per person, per day The statutory Class I entrance rate. The 150% holiday rule applies to Indonesian visitor and student rates, not this foreign visitor rate. |
| Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, normal day | Rp 50,000 ≈ $3 | per person, per day The normal-day Class I entrance rate. |
| Park entrance, Indonesian visitor, holiday or collective leave | Rp 75,000 ≈ $4 | per person, per day 150% of the normal Indonesian visitor rate on the dates covered by the statutory holiday rule. |
| Indonesian student group, normal day | Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 | per person, per day For Indonesian student groups of at least five people. |
| Indonesian student group, holiday or collective leave | Rp 37,500 ≈ $2 | per person, per day 150% of the normal student-group rate; the minimum group size remains five. |
| Scuba diving activity | Rp 25,000 ≈ $1 | per diver, per day A separate activity charge in addition to the applicable entrance fee. |
| Motorised vessel entry | Rp 100,000–200,000 per boat, per day | Rp 100,000 for 40–100 HP, Rp 150,000 for 101–500 HP, and Rp 200,000 above 500 HP. |
| Drone use | Rp 2,000,000 ≈ $112 | per unit, per day A separate special-use charge. Complete the required SiOra (the park’s official e-ticketing system) and SIMAKSI (the park’s activity-permit system) processes before travel. |
- SiOra is the park’s e-ticketing and SIMAKSI system. Reserve before travel; Ministry guidance recommends completing the reservation by H-1. An operator can assist, and self-service is available at the Komodo Visitor Center and KP3 terminal.
- Payment is cashless through the methods available in SiOra, including BRIVA or bank transfer and supported e-wallets. Keep the e-ticket and ensure the traveller details are correct.
- A 1,000-visitor daily quota has applied since 1 April 2026 to the main visitor islands and 23 dive sites. Availability therefore depends on the travel date and registered itinerary.
- The final SiOra total can include entrance, activity, vessel and special-use charges. Ask the handling operator for an itemised total before issuance.
- Official public guidance does not state one universal refund or rescheduling rule for every reservation. Confirm the current SiOra terms in writing before the ticket is issued, including treatment of weather disruption.
Statutory fees under Peraturan Pemerintah No. 36 Tahun 2024, in force since 30 October 2024. Verified 31 August 2026 against the official PP 36/2024 schedule, the Ministry of Forestry SiOra notice and the Ministry’s 2026 quota notice. Amounts are payable in rupiah; dollar figures are courtesy estimates converted at Rp 17,900 and rounded.
Marine Life
Activities
Cruise Areas
Location
Kanawa Island, Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
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