Charters · Private Speedboat

Kanawa Island Speedboat Charter

The fastest way to the island: 20 to 35 minutes across on a twin-engine speedboat, against 45 to 75 on a traditional wooden day boat. Because the boat is yours, you set the departure, the pace and the route.

Request a Quote from Komodo Luxury The value option instead

Crossing: 20–35 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 roughly 11–15 km northwest of Labuan Bajo — close enough that the hull you pick reshapes the whole day. On a shared slow boat the two crossings alone can consume an hour and a half to two and a half hours. On a private speedboat transit totals roughly forty minutes to an hour and ten; the rest belongs to the reef, the beach and the viewpoints.

Speed
20–35 minutes each way at 22–30 knots, sea conditions permitting.
Privacy
No strangers, no fixed manifest — just your group, the captain and crew.
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.
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.

Boat classes and specifications
Class	Guests	Engines	Cruising	Best for
Compact speedboat	Up to 6	2 × 200 HP outboard	22–25 knots	Couples, small families, hourly hire
Standard speedboat	Up to 10	2 × 250 HP outboard	25–28 knots	Full-day multi-island routes
Premium cabin speedboat	Up to 15	3 × 250–300 HP outboard	28–30 knots	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

Hourly charter

Short, specific missions: a fast private transfer to the island beach, 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.

See the snorkelling tour

Roughly 8–10 hours

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.

See the photography charter

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:

Near-shore circuit

No park boundary crossed

Kanawa house reef, then the Kelor hill climb, then Sebayur snorkelling, then home. Relaxed pacing, and no park tickets involved.

Park extension

Park fees and permits apply

Early Padar viewpoint, Pink Beach, a Manta Point drift, then Kanawa for a late-afternoon swim before the short hop home. This is the route the 20–35 minute crossing makes possible: Kanawa becomes the finale rather than the whole day.

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 — Komodo Luxury confirms 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.

Indicative charter rates by duration
Charter type	Detail	Indicative rate
Hourly charter	Minimum two hours	Quoted per booking
Half-day charter	4–5 hours	Ask for pricing
Full-day charter	8–10 hours	From USD 800 per boat, per day

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 35 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 Komodo Luxury your group profile when booking so the right class is assigned.

What happens to a speedboat charter if the wind gets up?

Safety decisions sit with the captain. If a departure must be cancelled for weather Komodo Luxury reschedules 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 Komodo Luxury your dates, group size, and whether you want a quick island hop or a full multi-island day, and they will send route options and a firm quote — usually the same day.

Request a Quote from Komodo Luxury

The charter desk

WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875
Email: sales@komodoluxury.com
Based in: Labuan Bajo, since 2015

Other charter formats

Practical questions about Kanawa Island speedboat charters

Are there public boats to Kanawa Island or do you need a private charter?

From Labuan Bajo there are usually two options. Local operators sometimes run shared wooden day boats that include Kanawa as one stop; these are sold per seat on a fixed itinerary. If you want to set your own time or go only to Kanawa, you need a private speedboat or slow boat charter, quoted per vessel. There is no scheduled “ferry” in the sense of a public timetable you can rely on months ahead.

Does Kanawa Island have speedboat transfers, or only slow wooden boats?

Yes, Kanawa does have fast options. Several Labuan Bajo operators run a Kanawa Island private speedboat from Labuan Bajo on an hourly or full-day basis. These are twin- or triple‑engine fiberglass hulls that cover the 11–15 km crossing in about 20–35 minutes, sea and loading permitting. You normally board at the main harbour or a nearby marina; exact pier and departure time are set when you confirm your booking.

Can I arrange a private charter to Kanawa Island and nearby islands on one trip?

You can. A private charter often combines Kanawa with Kelor and Sebayur or, once you add park tickets, with Padar and Manta Point. The boat is priced per day for the hull and crew; fuel is usually included for an agreed route. To sketch a route that fits your pace and daylight, it helps to start with one of the sample circuits on personalised Komodo itineraries and adapt from there.

What should I expect on a Kanawa Island private boat charter snorkeling day?

Most private charter snorkeling days start with a morning pickup in Labuan Bajo, then a direct run out to the island. You can usually enter the water from the beach; the house reef begins about 30 m offshore with a shallow 1–3 m flat and a wall dropping to 5–18 m. Bring your own mask and fins if you’re particular about fit; operators can supply basic sets by request. Sunscreen, a rash guard and a dry bag for cameras are sensible.

How does a Kanawa-only speedboat day compare with entering Komodo National Park?

Kanawa sits just outside the Komodo National Park boundary, so a Kanawa‑only day normally avoids park entrance fees and the SiOra reservation cap. As soon as your route adds Padar, Rinca, Komodo Island or Manta Point, park fees and guide costs apply separately for each day you enter. If your main goal is Kanawa plus a few nearby non‑park islets, a near‑shore loop on a private boat keeps logistics and paperwork simpler than a full park circuit.

How do toilets on Kanawa Island compare with those on the speedboats?

Kanawa Island toilets’ cleanliness and maintenance are inconsistent. Facilities rely on island water and power, which can fail; flush pressure and lighting are not guaranteed. Some speedboats, especially smaller open hulls, have no toilet at all; larger cabin boats usually have a compact marine toilet that’s basic but easier to keep clean. Carry tissue, hand sanitiser and be prepared for simple conditions onshore, especially later in the day when more visitors have passed through.

How do I choose between a Kanawa-only charter and a wider Komodo route?

If you mainly want reef time and a short fast crossing, keeping the boat focused on Kanawa and nearby non‑park islands gives you maximum water time and avoids park paperwork. If Padar, Rinca dragons or Manta Point are non‑negotiable, plan a longer route and accept the added fees and early start. Reviewing the pros and cons on the private‑charter versus shared‑trip comparison page can help clarify which style fits how you like to travel.

To turn this into a real trip, send your dates, group size and rough route ideas by WhatsApp to +62 811-3823-875 or email sales@komodoluxury.com. You can also browse Komodo Luxury’s charter fleet and sample private Komodo trips to see what kind of hull and pacing suits you before asking for a detailed quote.