Kanawa Island Boat Transfer
Point to point between Labuan Bajo harbour and the Kanawa jetty — 20 to 30 minutes by speedboat, 45 to 60 by shared wooden boat. There is no public ferry on this route, so every crossing is booked rather than bought at the pier.
- Speedboat
- 20–30 minutes
- Shared boat
- 45–60 minutes
- Public ferry
- None on this route
- Night runs
- Not offered
What the transfer includes
Jetty to jetty, and nothing bundled that you did not ask for. If you want stops, snorkelling or a guide along the way, that is a different product — the day trip page covers it.
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The crossing
Labuan Bajo harbour to the Kanawa jetty, or the reverse, on the boat type you chose.
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Captain and crew
Licensed local skippers who run this stretch daily and read the weather before departure.
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Life jackets
For every passenger, including child sizes on request.
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Harbour coordination
You are told exactly which jetty to stand on and when, and the crew help load your bags.
Luggage: one suitcase or duffel plus a day bag per passenger on shared boats. Private charters carry whatever fits safely, which is what suits guests moving in for a stay on the island.
Which boat should you book?
Two ways across, priced very differently, and the right answer depends almost entirely on your luggage and your flight.
Shared boat seat
The budget option: a wooden boat carrying several parties, matched to the nearest scheduled departure.
Best for solo travellers and couples with flexible timing and one bag each. If your schedule is tight, this is the wrong product.
Private speedboat
Departs when you choose, carries your group only, and takes your luggage without argument.
The default for families, anyone connecting from a flight, and guests checking in for nights on the island. Tell the desk your flight number and the boat is built around it.
When boats actually run
There is no fixed public timetable — departures are set at booking. In practice the rhythm as of 2026 looks like this.
- 08:00–10:00 Morning crossings. The most popular window: seas are usually calmest and you arrive with a full day ahead of you.
- 11:00–14:00 Midday crossings. Common for guests landing at Komodo Airport in the morning — the boat is timed to your flight plus transit to the harbour.
- 15:00–17:00 Afternoon returns. The standard slot for leaving the island, scheduled well before dusk.
- After dark Not offered. Night crossings are not run on this route.
Private speedboats depart whenever you choose within daylight hours. Shared-boat seats are matched to the nearest scheduled departure.
Indicative fares, 2026
Per person for shared seats, per boat for private speedboats.
Quoted per booking. Indicative ranges as of 2026, not fixed prices. Actual fares depend on season, fuel, boat availability and harbour fees on your travel date. The exact figure is always confirmed in writing before you pay anything.
| Charter type | Detail | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Shared boat, per person | One way | Ask for price |
| Shared boat, per person | Return | Ask for price |
| Private speedboat, up to 6 | One way / return | Ask for price |
| Private speedboat, 7–12 | One way / return | Ask for price |
- Shared boat, per person
Ask for price
One way
- Shared boat, per person
Ask for price
Return
- Private speedboat, up to 6
Ask for price
One way / return
- Private speedboat, 7–12
Ask for price
One way / return
Booking a crossing
Send the details
Date, direction, passenger count, luggage count, and any flight times.
Get an exact fare
Availability confirmed and the fare quoted for your boat type and date. The number you approve is the number you pay.
Secure it
A deposit holds the booking; payment instructions come in the same chat.
Receive your slip
Departure time, jetty point in Labuan Bajo, captain contact, and a weather-contingency note.
Crossing questions
The four that come up at the harbour.
Can I just turn up at the harbour and find a boat?
Sometimes, but it is a gamble. Boats to Kanawa run on charter arrangements rather than a walk-up schedule, and on busy days every seat is spoken for by mid-morning. Booking ahead costs nothing extra and guarantees the slot.
How much luggage can I bring?
On a private speedboat, standard suitcases for the whole group are fine — the crew load and unload at both jetties. On shared boats, keep it to one main bag plus a day pack per person. Waterproof covers are sensible in the wet season, roughly December to March.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Safety decides, always. If the captain calls off a crossing you choose between the next safe departure or a refund of the affected leg. No boat is pushed out in marginal conditions to keep a schedule.
Can the transfer include a snorkelling stop?
Not on the transfer itself — it is a direct crossing. If you want water time on the way, book the snorkelling tour, which combines the crossing with reef stops and equipment.
Book your crossing
Send your date and passenger count and you will have a confirmed departure time and an exact fare in one short conversation — usually under fifteen minutes.
Book a CrossingThe transfer desk
- +62 811 3823 875
- sales@komodoluxury.com
- Based in
- Labuan Bajo, since 2015