Phinisi kayu di perairan jernih dekat Pulau Kanawa

Destinations Kanawa Komodo National Park · Labuan Bajo Charter Desk

Kanawa Island

Snorkel straight off the beach, no tender needed.

A coral island ringed by shallow reef in water clear enough to read the bottom from the deck. The reef starts where the sand ends.

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April–August for calmest seas and best visibility Best season
30-minute speedboat from Labuan Bajo From Labuan Bajo
Half a day Time to allow
Private Charter only

The short answer

What Kanawa Island actually is

Shore snorkelling over shallow reef full of tropical fish and turtles. Season: April–August for calmest seas and best visibility. Access: 30-minute speedboat from Labuan Bajo. Allow Half a day.

Why it is worth the stop

What makes it worth anchoring for

The reef starts at the sand

No tender, no boat ride, no depth. Walk in and the coral is there — which is why it suits children and nervous swimmers.

Turtles are routine

Green turtles feed on the shallow reef here. Not guaranteed, but seen on most visits.

Macro, if you look

Mantis shrimp and nudibranchs on the same reef that everyone swims over. Worth a slow second lap.

On paper

The stop on paper

Known for: Shore snorkelling over shallow reef full of tropical fish and turtles
Best season: April–August for calmest seas and best visibility
Access: 30-minute speedboat from Labuan Bajo
Wildlife: Green sea turtles, mantis shrimp, nudibranchs, vibrant hard coral
Time to allow: Half a day
Status: Inside Komodo National Park, UNESCO World Heritage

Park entrance and conservation fees are inside the charter rate and re-checked close to sailing — they move, and a stale figure becomes your problem at the gate.

Inside the rate

What the day rate already covers

Tender transfer from the yacht
Guide or ranger where the site requires one
Snorkelling and diving equipment
National park entrance and conservation fees
Water, shade and reef-safe sunscreen sent ashore
Timing planned around tide, light and the day boats

A private charter decides its own hours here. Day boats run to a fixed schedule; you do not, which is usually the difference between an empty site and a crowded one. Specific inclusions depend on the yacht selected, our charter desk will confirm the full list for your chosen vessel.

Before you commit

Four questions the desk gets weekly

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

No. The reef is shallow and reached from the beach, with no current to speak of in season.

Will I see turtles?

Often. Green turtles feed on the shallow reef, though as with all wildlife there is no guarantee.

How far from Labuan Bajo?

Thirty minutes by speedboat — the closest proper snorkelling to town.

When is it calmest?

April to August, when the water is flattest and visibility best.

Put it in the itinerary

Tell the desk which stops matter most and how many days you have. The route is built around them, and the written quote comes back the same day.

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