National park · Indonesia
Kanawa IslandPulau Kanawa
Visit Kanawa: take the 12:00 shuttle from Labuan Bajo (≈ Rp 400 000 boat fee), explore the hill trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi), easy) and snorkel the reef; go in Sep–Nov to avoid crowds and enjoy calm seas.Visit Kanawa: take the 12:00 PM shuttle from Labuan Bajo (≈ Rp 400 000 boat fee), explore the hill trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi), easy) and snorkel the reef; go in Sep–Nov to avoid crowds and enjoy calm seas.Visit Kanawa: take the 12:00 shuttle from Labuan Bajo (≈ Rp 400 000 boat fee), explore the hill trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km), easy) and snorkel the reef; go in Sep–Nov to avoid crowds and enjoy calm seas.Visit Kanawa: take the 12:00 PM shuttle from Labuan Bajo (≈ Rp 400 000 boat fee), explore the hill trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km), easy) and snorkel the reef; go in Sep–Nov to avoid crowds and enjoy calm seas.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
approximate
Established
2010
Best months
Sep–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
- Island area about 30 ha (≈0.3 km²) as reported in the park description.
- Established
- 2010
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Labuan Bajo
Kanawa Island is a small, privately managed island within Komodo National Park, offering white‑sand beaches, a protected coral reef, and a short hill trail with panoramic views of the park.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of Komodo National Park.
Size and age
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²) · national park since 2010
Island area about 30 ha (≈0.3 km²) as reported in the park description.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Labuan Bajo.
Why go
- Small island with white‑sand beaches and a protected coral reef.
- Hill trail gives panoramic views of Komodo National Park.
- Diving and snorkeling directly from the island.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanMonsoon start, rain.
- FebRainy.
- MarMonsoon.
- AprTransition, fewer rains.
- MayDryer.
- JunDry, warm.
- JulCrowded, hot.
- AugCrowded, hot.
- SepDry, calm seas.
- OctDry, ideal for diving.
- NovDry, still calm.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea turtles, reef fish, mantasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Goats, deer, cats, dogs (tame)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kanawa Beach | White‑sand beach, restaurants, bungalows. | Open to public; beach bungalows require reservation. |
| Hill trail | ≈2 km (1.2 mi) easy walk to a viewpoint.≈1.2 mi (2 km) easy walk to a viewpoint. | Open, no guide needed. |
| Coral reef | Snorkeling and diving zone, protected no‑fishing area. | Accessible from beach; guided dives available. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on Labuan Bajo map and island outline.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle boat (Labuan Bajo → Kanawa) | IDR 400,000 (≈ US$25) | boat | Daily at 12:00; free if you stay at the island’s accommodation. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fishing
- Prohibited in the reef zone surrounding the island.
- Camping
- Not allowed; bungalows are the only accommodation.
- Pets
- Only tame animals kept by owners; stray feeding discouraged.
Where to stay
In the park
Kanawa Beach Bungalows
14 cottages, Rp 550 000/night (single) or Rp 700 000 for two, includes breakfast.
Near the park
Labuan Bajo
Various hotels and hostels; 30 min boat ride.
Safety
Strong currents medium
Heat low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Beach and hill trail reachable by foot; no wheelchair access.
- Boat shuttle has limited space for mobility aids.
Visiting lightly
- Support the island’s turtle sanctuary and no‑fishing zone.
- Choose operators that use reef‑safe sunscreen.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kanawa?
The shuttle boat from Labuan Bajo costs Rp 400 000 per trip; accommodation fees are separate.
What are the best hikes in Kanawa?
A short, easy hill trail (≈2 km) to the viewpoint is the main hike; it takes 1–2 hours round‑trip.
When is the best time to visit Kanawa?
September to November offers dry weather, calm seas and fewer crowds.
Can I camp on Kanawa?
No. Camping was discontinued in 2015; stay in the island’s bungalows.
Is diving allowed directly from the island?
Yes, local operators run boat dives from the beach; the reef is a protected no‑fishing zone.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kanawa Island
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