Compact speedboat
Up to 6
- Engines
- 2 × 200 HP outboard
- Cruising
- 22–25 knots
- Best for
- Couples, small families, hourly hire
Charters · Private Speedboat
Kanawa Island Speedboat Charter
The fastest way to the island: 20 to 25 minutes across on a twin-engine speedboat, against 60 to 90 on a traditional slow boat. Because the boat is yours, you set the departure, the pace and the route.
- Crossing
- 20–25 minutes
- Cruising
- 22–30 knots
- Guests
- 6 to 15 by class
- Format
- Hourly or full day
Why the boat speed changes the day
Kanawa is about 15 km northwest of Labuan Bajo — close enough that the hull you pick reshapes the whole day. On a shared slow boat the return crossing alone can consume two to three hours. On a private speedboat you spend under an hour in transit total; the rest belongs to the reef, the beach and the viewpoints.
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Speed
20–25 minutes each way at 22–30 knots, sea conditions permitting.
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Privacy
No strangers, no fixed manifest — just your group, the captain and crew.
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Flexibility
Leave at 06:30 to have the house reef to yourself, or push to mid-morning after a slow breakfast. Shared boats cannot do either.
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Range
The same hull that reaches Kanawa in 25 minutes can add Kelor, Sebayur or a full park combo without turning the day into a marathon.
If you simply want the lowest cost per person and do not mind a fixed schedule, a seat on the shared day trip remains the value option. Chartering is for travellers who want the clock working for them.
What speedboats are available
A working fleet based in Labuan Bajo. Exact vessels rotate with maintenance and season, so these describe the typical classes; the specific boat is confirmed with your quote.
Standard speedboat
Up to 10
- Engines
- 2 × 250 HP outboard
- Cruising
- 25–28 knots
- Best for
- Full-day multi-island routes
Premium cabin speedboat
Up to 15
- Engines
- 3 × 250–300 HP outboard
- Cruising
- 28–30 knots
- Best for
- Groups, longer ranges, shade and comfort
All charters include a licensed captain and crew, life jackets, fuel for the agreed route, and drinking water. Snorkelling sets, lunch and photography add-ons can be arranged when you book.
Hourly or full day?
One decision, and it is genuinely a pair — neither is the upsell.
Usually 2–4 hours
See the snorkelling tour
Hourly charter
Short, specific missions: a fast private transfer to the island jetty, a two-hour snorkel over the house reef, or a sunset run with drinks on deck.
If the reef itself is your main event rather than the boat, compare this against the guided snorkelling tour, which bundles guiding and equipment.
Roughly 8–10 hours
See the photography charter
Full-day charter
The right call when Kanawa is one stop among several. A full day comfortably covers three to five stops, because the fast crossings mean transit rarely eats more than a quarter of your day.
It is also the practical choice for drone and photography sessions that need golden-hour light at both ends of the day.
How many islands in one day?
With a speedboat, the honest answer is three to five, depending on how long you linger. Two proven routes:
Kanawa itself lies outside the Komodo National Park boundary, so a Kanawa-only charter generally involves no park entrance tickets. Once the route extends to Padar, Pink Beach or Manta Point, park fees and permits apply — we confirm current requirements and costs when you book.
What a charter costs
Quoted per boat, not per person, in Indonesian rupiah.
Quoted per booking. Final pricing depends on vessel class, season, fuel for your chosen route, and add-ons such as lunch or a snorkelling guide. National park fees, where applicable, are charged separately at prevailing government rates. A firm written quote is always issued before you commit.
| Charter type | Detail | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly charter | Minimum two hours | Ask for price |
| Half-day charter | 4–5 hours | Ask for price |
| Full-day charter | 8–10 hours | Ask for price |
- Hourly charter
Ask for price
Minimum two hours
- Half-day charter
Ask for price
4–5 hours
- Full-day charter
Ask for price
8–10 hours
How to book a charter
Send dates and group size
On WhatsApp, plus any route ideas you already have.
Receive a route and quote
Matched to a specific boat class, usually within hours.
Confirm with a deposit
Payment instructions come directly from the charter desk.
Meet at the marina
At your chosen time. Hotel pickup in town can be arranged.
Cruise
The captain adjusts stops to sea conditions and your preferences on the day.
Charter questions
The operational ones people ask before committing a whole boat.
How long is the ride from Labuan Bajo to Kanawa?
Typically 20 to 25 minutes in normal conditions. In choppier seasonal swells the captain may run slightly longer for comfort, but the crossing rarely exceeds 35 minutes.
Can I charter a speedboat just for a transfer?
Yes. One-way and return transfers are the simplest form of hourly charter, and are popular with guests staying on the island who want to skip shared-boat schedules.
Is a private speedboat safe for children and older travellers?
Yes, with sensible planning. Boats carry life jackets in a range of sizes, the crossing is short, and the captain can select calmer routes and slower speeds on request. Tell us your group profile when booking so the right class is assigned.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Safety decisions sit with the captain. If a departure must be cancelled for weather we reschedule your charter or work out a fair resolution directly. Conditions are monitored the evening before and the morning of departure.
Book your speedboat charter
Tell us your dates, group size, and whether you want a quick island hop or a full multi-island day, and the desk will send route options and a firm quote — usually the same day.
Request a QuoteThe charter desk
- +62 811 3823 875
- sales@komodoluxury.com
- Based in
- Labuan Bajo, since 2015