Kanawa, Kelor & Rinca Day Tour
A viewpoint, the dragons and a long reef finish — the three things most visitors come to Komodo for, in the calmer inner islands.
- Runs
- 08:00–16:30
- Stops
- Three islands
- On Kanawa
- Two hours
- Price
- Ask for pricing
Three stops, three different days in one
The north combo strings together the islands closest to Labuan Bajo on the northern and eastern side of the harbour. Kelor delivers the ridge-top photo, Rinca delivers the dragons, and Kanawa delivers the reef.
Because the crossings are short, the route suits families, older travellers and anyone prone to seasickness better than the longer southern itineraries. You end the day salty and relaxed rather than racing the sunset back to port.
What each stop is for
Included
- Kelor — a steep 15–20 minute climb to a ridge over turquoise shallows, then a beach swim
- Rinca, Loh Buaya — licensed rangers lead walks on boardwalks and dry-savannah trails
- Kanawa — house reef a short wade off the beach: coral, reef fish, frequent turtles
- Hotel pickup in Labuan Bajo and a crew briefing before departure
- Drinking water on board
Not included
- Komodo National Park entrance, activity and ranger fees
- Closed walking shoes for Kelor and Rinca
- Rupiah cash for park fees, paid locally
- A guaranteed dragon sighting
Go up Kelor early — there is almost no shade and the trail is loose scree in places. Rinca has a dense dragon population and sightings are common year round, though as with any wild animal they are never guaranteed.
Stop by stop
A typical speedboat day. Exact timing depends on boat tier and sea conditions.
- 08:00
Labuan Bajo marina
Check-in, briefing, depart.
- 08:30–10:00
Kelor Island
Ridge hike, then a beach swim or snorkel.
- 10:30–12:30
Rinca, Loh Buaya
Park tickets, then the ranger-guided dragon walk.
- 12:30–13:15
Lunch on board
Served during the crossing north.
- 13:30–15:30
Kanawa Island
House-reef snorkelling and beach time — the longest single block of the day.
- 16:00–16:30
Return
Back to the marina.
Slow-boat versions of this route exist, but the extra engine hours squeeze the Kanawa stop. If snorkelling matters to you, a speedboat protects that final two-hour window.
What it costs
Indicative planning ranges, not fixed quotes. Final pricing depends on season, vessel, group size and inclusions.
Quoted per booking
Park fees are additional unless your quote says otherwise. They are set by the park authority, paid locally in rupiah, and cover a per-person entrance ticket, an activity fee for trekking and snorkelling, and a ranger fee shared by the group at Loh Buaya. The park revises its tariffs periodically, so the current amount is confirmed on your quote rather than published here.
| Option | Detail | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Shared speedboat seat | Fixed 08:00 departure, per person | Ask for pricing |
| Private speedboat | Per boat, up to 6–10 guests | From USD 800 per boat, per day |
| Phinisi day charter | Per vessel, day use — deck space, shade | From USD 5,800 per boat, full day |
Reference rates: Komodo Luxury, checked 25 August 2026. Rate card
How to book
Send date and tier
Group size, and whether you prefer shared, private speedboat or phinisi.
Get a same-day quote
Boat option, inclusions and current park-fee guidance, line by line.
Confirm with deposit
You receive a written confirmation with meeting point, pickup time and packing notes.
Travel day
Hotel pickup, marina check-in, crew briefing. Park tickets are arranged at Loh Buaya, handled by Komodo Luxury.
Frequently asked questions
For a Labuan Bajo day trip, Kanawa Island vs Rinca and Padar combo – how do I choose?
If you only have one day, think about pace and sea time. The north combo (Kelor–Rinca–Kanawa) keeps crossings short and finishes with a long Kanawa reef snorkel. A Rinca and Padar combo pushes deeper into the park for the Padar panorama and often Pink Beach, but adds longer, sometimes rougher legs. If your group includes younger children, older relatives or anyone nervous about boats, the north combo is usually the calmer choice.
Kanawa Island vs Taka Makassar and Pink Beach combo tour decision – which suits snorkellers better?
Taka Makassar and Pink Beach are classic drift-and-sandbank stops: more exposed, often with current and less shade. Kanawa’s house reef starts just off the main beach with a shallow 1–3 m flat and an easy drop-off, so you can get in and out as often as you like. On this north combo, you still snorkel twice (Kelor and Kanawa), but in generally more sheltered conditions, which suits mixed-ability groups and anyone trying a first mask-and-snorkel day.
Kanawa Island vs Rinca Island – which has more wildlife overall?
They are very different. Rinca is all about big, obvious animals: Komodo dragons, deer, monkeys and birds on a guided walk with rangers at Loh Buaya. Kanawa is quieter on land but busy underwater: reef fish, occasional turtles and macro life along the house reef. If you want large terrestrial wildlife, Rinca wins. If you care more about time in the water, Kanawa feels richer. For the Rinca side of the day, read the practical notes on visiting Rinca Island.
Can a Kanawa day be done on a low budget, under one million rupiah?
To land genuinely under one million rupiah per person you normally need a shared speedboat seat out of Labuan Bajo rather than a private hull. The seat is priced per person, and on top of it sit the operator-set Kanawa access contribution and, if the route enters the national park, the statutory park fee. Send your date and headcount and ask for the one-day options in writing rather than working from a headline figure.
Book the north combo
Send your travel date and group size and you will receive a clear written quote with boat tiers and current park-fee guidance, usually within the day.
Check Availability with Komodo Luxury