Guide · What to bring

What to pack for a day on Kanawa

A day boat is a small space with sun, salt and no shop. Almost nothing on this list is expensive, and two items on it are national park requirements rather than suggestions.

Last checked: August 2026
Read: 4 minutes
For: Day trips

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The short answer

Reef-safe sunscreen is strongly recommended by every operator in Komodo National Park. Ordinary sunscreen is a poor substitute around the reef.
Avoid single-use plastic in the park. Bring a refillable bottle — most boats now treat this as standard practice.
A rash guard protects you better than sunscreen over four hours in the water, and never washes off.
Loan snorkel gear exists on the boats. It works; it is basic. Bring your own mask if you snorkel often.

This is a day-trip list. If you are staying a night on the island, Komodo Luxury will tell you what the current accommodation does and does not provide — it changes season to season.

Two things every operator asks for

Not preferences, and not ours. These are standard practice across Komodo National Park operators, even though neither is a codified park regulation as of 2026.

Reef-safe sunscreen — expected by every operator, not a legal requirement.
A refillable water bottle — most boats now avoid single-use plastic on board.
Ordinary chemical sunscreen is discouraged; it washes off onto the reef within minutes.
Do not rely on buying either of these once you are on the island. There is no shop.

Look for a sunscreen labelled reef-safe or mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, free of oxybenzone and octinoxate). Apply it 15 to 20 minutes before you get in, so it has absorbed rather than washed straight off into the coral.

For the water

You will spend three to four hours in or beside the sea. This is where comfort is won or lost.

A rash guard
More reliable than sunscreen over a long session and it never washes off. A light wetsuit top is welcome in cooler water from June to August.
Your own mask
Loan sets are carried on every boat and they work, but fit is the whole game with a mask. Anyone who snorkels regularly will have a better hour in their own.
Reef shoes
The beach entry crosses coral fragments. Not essential, but the people who have them are glad of them.
A GoPro, not a DSLR
At snorkelling depth a GoPro is plenty. Housings for larger cameras can be rented from the island dive shop if you want them.

For the boat

A day boat has shade, a deck and not much else. Six to ten hours is a long time without these.

Sunglasses and a hat
Glare off open water is relentless, and the shade on a day boat does not follow you around it.
A dry bag
For phones, cameras and documents. Spray over the bow is normal on a fast crossing and constant in the wet season.
Motion-sickness tablets
Taken before departure, not after you feel it. The crossing back in the afternoon is choppier than the morning one.
Some cash in rupiah
Card acceptance is unreliable once you leave Labuan Bajo. Small notes are more useful than large ones.
A dry change of clothes
You will get wet. The return leg is long enough to be uncomfortable in a wet swimsuit.

How much you can actually bring

On a shared boat the working allowance is one main bag plus a day pack per person, because deck space is shared with everyone else's. On a private speedboat, whatever fits safely — the crew load at the harbour and hand bags across at the beach, so full suitcases are fine if you are moving to the island rather than day-tripping.

Waterproofing matters more than volume. Spray comes over the bow on any fast crossing, and in the wet season, roughly December to March, it is not occasional. A dry bag for phones, cameras and documents is the single most useful thing in this guide.

What to leave in the hotel

Every one of these turns up on a boat regularly, and every one of them is a mistake.

Hard suitcases
On a shared boat there is nowhere sensible to put one, and nowhere dry.
Jewellery
Salt water, sand and a small boat. Things go over the side and stay there.
Assumptions about drones
Drone use in the national park is regulated and permission depends on the site and the day. Ask before you pack one as a plan.

Before you go

The three pages that answer the rest of it.

Not sure about one item?

If you are travelling with small children, a medical condition, or camera equipment that matters, ask before you pack. It is a short conversation and it is better than finding out on the morning of departure.

Ask Komodo Luxury Read the full FAQ

Practical questions about packing specifically for Kanawa

What should I wear to Kanawa Island for a full day on the water?

For a comfortable day on Kanawa Island, think “swim-first, city-last”. Wear your swimsuit under a light t‑shirt or loose shirt, plus shorts that dry quickly. Add a long-sleeve rash guard for the sun and to avoid jellyfish stings. Footwear: flip-flops or sandals for the boat, reef shoes for walking the shallows. Bring one dry, clean outfit in a plastic bag for the ride back to Labuan Bajo.

What should you wear for a comfortable day on Kanawa Island if you burn easily?

If you burn quickly, cover more than you think you need. A full-length rash guard or surf leggings are better than reapplying sunscreen every hour. Choose a wide‑brim hat that stays on in the wind and polarised sunglasses. On the boat, a light cotton shirt over your swimwear helps when the breeze picks up after snorkelling. Avoid anything heavy that stays wet, like denim or thick cotton shorts.

Can I rent snorkeling gear for Kanawa Island, or should I bring my own?

Most day boats carry basic snorkel sets that are included or rentable, and some operators can arrange extra sets on request. Fit and hygiene are the two weak points: masks often fog or leak, and snorkels are heavily used. If you snorkel often, bring your own mask and snorkel and use rental fins only. For trips that combine Kanawa with other sites, ask your boat operator when booking or check the gear notes on the relevant Komodo boat trip page.

Can you rent kayaks or paddleboards on Kanawa Island?

Kayak and SUP rental has appeared and disappeared over the years with different operators. Do not count on finding kayaks waiting on the beach. If paddling around the island matters to you, confirm in writing with your boat operator before departure; they may be able to bring equipment from Labuan Bajo. Multi-stop Komodo itineraries that include Kanawa occasionally carry SUPs on board, so check the equipment list for any Komodo liveaboard cruise you are considering.

Can you rent sunbeds or umbrellas on Kanawa Island, or should I bring my own shade?

Sunbeds and fixed umbrellas have been on the beach in some seasons, and absent in others. With facilities changing and maintenance uneven, plan as if there is no reliable shade on the sand beyond a few trees. A long-sleeve rash guard and a hat do most of the work; a light sarong doubles as shade and towel. If you want guaranteed comfort between swims, day boats sometimes have padded upper decks, especially on better-equipped speedboat charters from Labuan Bajo.

Once you know what you’ll wear and carry, the missing piece is the boat. To turn this list into a real day out, start with the Kanawa details on Komodo Luxury’s Kanawa Island page, look at possible routes under their one-day trip packages, then message +62 811-3823-875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com for a current quote and boat suggestion.