Where Is Kanawa Island? Location, Map & Key Facts

Updated: August 2026

Kanawa Island is a small island in the Flores Sea in eastern Indonesia, roughly 11–15 kilometres from the harbour town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. It sits administratively within West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, directly along the boat corridor that runs from Labuan Bajo toward Komodo National Park. Most searches for Kanawa Island Indonesia refer to this island — a white-sand islet famous for a house reef that begins just metres off the beach — and not Kenawa Island near Sumbawa, which is a different place with a confusingly similar name.

This page is a plain-language location reference: where the island actually is, how far it is from Labuan Bajo, whether it falls inside the national park boundary, what a visit costs as of 2026, and the honest status of the island’s resort. If you already know the geography and simply want to go, start with our Kanawa Island day trip from Labuan Bajo.

Kanawa Island Fast Facts

Here are the key facts about Kanawa Island Indonesia in one place, current as of 2026.

Where Exactly Is Kanawa Island?

Kanawa Island lies off the western tip of Flores, one of the major islands of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia’s southeastern island province. The nearest town is Labuan Bajo, the fast-growing gateway port for Komodo National Park, and the island falls under the jurisdiction of West Manggarai Regency (Kabupaten Manggarai Barat).

On a map, look for the scatter of small islands in the strait between Labuan Bajo and the large park islands of Rinca and Komodo. Kanawa is one of the closer islets to Labuan Bajo in that chain, which is exactly why it became the classic short boat hop: near enough for an easy half-day or full-day visit, far enough to feel removed from town.

There is no airport, harbour town, or road on Kanawa itself. The island is small — commonly cited at around 32 hectares — with a single main beach, a jetty area, and a hill behind it. Access is by boat only.

Kanawa vs Kenawa: Two Different Islands

A one-letter difference causes real confusion. Kanawa Island is near Labuan Bajo, Flores, in East Nusa Tenggara. Kenawa Island is off Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara, hundreds of kilometres to the west. If your itinerary starts in Labuan Bajo or mentions Komodo, you are looking for Kanawa with an “a”.

How Far Is Kanawa Island from Labuan Bajo?

Published sources place Kanawa roughly 11–15 kilometres from Labuan Bajo — figures differ slightly between guides, but every source agrees it is one of the shortest island crossings available from the town. In practical terms, travel time matters more than distance:

• Speedboat: about 30–45 minutes in calm conditions — the standard choice for day trips.
• Slower wooden boat: around 1.5–2 hours — cheaper, and some travellers prefer the unhurried ride.

Sea state affects both. In the dry season (April–October) crossings are typically smooth; in the rainy months, morning departures are usually calmer than afternoon returns. For boat options, departure points, and how transfers are arranged, see our Kanawa Island boat transfer page.

Is Kanawa Island Inside Komodo National Park?

Kanawa sits at the eastern approach to Komodo National Park and is commonly described in guides as lying just outside the park’s formal boundary, in the transitional waters between Labuan Bajo and the park islands. That position explains its role in itineraries: boats heading to or from Padar, Pink Beach, and Manta Point pass close by, so Kanawa often appears as the first or last snorkelling stop of a Komodo day-trip loop.

Two practical consequences follow from this geography:

• Park fees depend on your route. Komodo National Park entrance and activity fees are set by the park authority and revised periodically. As of 2026 there is no single fee figure we can responsibly print here — the schedule changes, and whether it applies to your day depends on whether your itinerary enters the park proper. Confirm the current fee breakdown with your operator when you book; a written quote should itemise park fees separately from the boat price.
• A Kanawa-only visit is logistically simpler. Because the island sits so close to Labuan Bajo, a dedicated Kanawa trip does not require the long westward run to Komodo or Padar, which keeps boat time short and costs lower.

How Do You Get to Kanawa Island Indonesia?

The route is the same for almost every visitor:

• Step 1 — Fly to Labuan Bajo. Komodo International Airport (LBJ) receives multiple daily flights from Bali (about 1 hour) and direct connections from Jakarta. The airport is roughly 10–15 minutes from the harbour.
• Step 2 — Take a boat from Labuan Bajo harbour. Day-trip boats and private charters depart in the morning, typically between 6:00 and 9:00 depending on the itinerary. Shared trips bundle Kanawa with other stops; private boats run on your schedule.
• Step 3 — Land on the beach or jetty. Crossings take 30–45 minutes by speedboat. Most visitors stay 2–5 hours for snorkelling, the beach, and the viewpoint hill before returning.

There is no scheduled public ferry dedicated to Kanawa as of 2026; local public boats exist but run informally, so most international visitors book through an operator. A structured day trip remains the most reliable way to visit.

What Is Kanawa Island Known For?

One thing above all: the house reef. Coral starts within metres of the sand, in calm, shallow, turquoise water, which makes Kanawa one of the most beginner-friendly snorkelling sites in the Labuan Bajo area. Travellers regularly report abundant reef fish directly off the beach, with no long swim or boat positioning needed. Visibility is generally best in the dry season, roughly April to October.

One practical caution reported by visitors: sea urchins are present in the shallow reef entry area, so reef shoes or water shoes are strongly recommended, especially for children.

Beyond the reef, the island offers a white-sand main beach, a short hill walk with views over the strait toward the park islands, and — because facilities on the island are minimal — a genuinely quiet, bring-your-own-everything atmosphere.

Is There a Resort on Kanawa Island?

Honest answer, based on the most credible reports available per 2026: no functioning resort accommodation is currently operating on Kanawa Island. Booking platforms still carry legacy listings for the island’s former beach resort and bungalows, but recent traveller reports describe deteriorated buildings and limited on-island services. The island itself remains open to day visitors, and day-time snorkelling stops continue normally.

If overnight accommodation reopens, that status can change quickly — so treat any live listing with caution and confirm directly with an operator on the ground before paying for a stay. For most travellers in 2026, the practical plan is a day visit from Labuan Bajo, with hotels in town as your base.

How Much Does a Kanawa Island Visit Cost?

Indicative price bands visible in the market as of 2026, in Indonesian rupiah:

• Organised shared tours including Kanawa: roughly IDR 750,000–1,500,000 per person
• All-inclusive day trips: roughly IDR 950,000–1,800,000 per person
• Private boat charter: roughly IDR 2–4 million per boat, depending on vessel and route
• Local public boats: roughly IDR 150,000–300,000, informal and schedule-dependent

Disclaimer: these are indicative ranges compiled from published listings, not fixed quotes. Actual pricing varies with boat type, group size, fuel costs, season, and whether park stops are included, and any park or landing fees are additional and set by the relevant authorities. Always confirm a current itemised quote before booking.

Plan Your Kanawa Island Visit

Kanawa Island Indonesia rewards a well-planned visit: the right departure time, the right boat, and a clear picture of what is and is not on the island. Our trips are operated through Komodo Luxury, a real operator working out of Labuan Bajo since 2015 and part of Juara Holding Group, operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015 — which means current, first-hand answers on sea conditions, island status, and fees rather than recycled listings.

Tell us your dates and group size and we will map the cleanest route to the island for you. Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com for a same-day itinerary and quote.