Surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches, Kanawa Island is another gem in Indonesia you would love to visit. The seawater is as clear as crystal with an excellent gradation of blue color, making the island the right tourism spot for those who are feeling tired of the city’s hustle and bustle. You may enjoy reading your favorite books while sipping a delicious beverage in small huts under shady trees of Ketapang on the island.
Many tourists know more about Labuan Bajo Island, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara better than Kanawa Island. Therefore, find out further information regarding this gorgeous gem in this article so that you can get prepared before deciding to go on a vacation there.
The Location
Kanawa Island is situated at the outskirt of Komodo National Park—exactly in the Regency of West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province. It is a perfect destination for relaxation, diving, snorkeling, trekking. Despite being small, the 35-hectare island has mesmerizing nautical scenery. It takes only a 60-minute flight from Bali to get to the island, making it more amazing to visit. You can always transit to the Island of Gods and spend some great time there before heading to the Kanawa region.
The Route
The route to reach the hidden gem is quite easy to comprehend. You can start your journey from the port of Bali Island or by plane. You will then arrive in Labuan Bajo before continuing your journey to this island. You can use the boat rental in Labuan Bajo with the stunning view of Komodo dragons to visit Kanawa Island. There is also a free shuttle boat from Kanawa Beach Bungalow for guests to stay in the bungalow beach.
This hidden paradise in Flores will certainly hypnotize you. Even though it will cost you quite a lot, it is worth what you will get. The distribution fee for the entry ticket to Kanawa Island takes a unique calculation method. So, the Kanawa entrance ticket is calculated per tour group or boat anchored at the pier. There is a fee of IDR 100,000 for each boat or group.
In other words, no matter how many people there are in the group—whether there are 2, 10, or more people—they will charge you the same. The admission price applies to everyone, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners.
The Attractions & The Amenities
Visiting the beautiful island means taking pleasure in its incredible marine life. Hence, the most attractions done on the island are snorkeling and diving. The view of coral reefs, sea crabs, starfish, and thousands more amazing species under the water of Kanawa can be enjoyed whilst diving or snorkeling. Not to mention the pristine white sandy beach that makes you want to stay there longer than you could think of.
If you are backpacking, it is easier than renting a camping tent and its equipment at provided rentals across the island. It is very much worth it as you get to see the spectacular view of Kanawa’s starry nights from the tent.
Several resorts offer cottages and bungalows scattered in the region for an average of IDR 600,000 with excellent amenities. One of which is Kanawa Beach Bungalow Resort on the island’s southern part. Meanwhile, in the northern region, you will have amazing moments with captivating sea biota and wildlife in the national park. The animals include wild goats, eagles, dolphins, stingrays, turtles, and copious attractive tropical fish.
When to Visit the Island
The best time to pay a visit to Kanawa Island is April through December since it is dry season there. In the season, the seawater also tends to be calmer due to the protection of coral reefs surrounding dangerous sea waves.
How to Get to the Island
From Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, you can fly away to Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Then, if you take a cab, you will have to prepare about IDR 50,000 while by riding a motorbike taxi, you can only pay IDR 10,000. The ride will usually take around 5-10 minutes to Labuan Bajo pier. From there, you can ride a boat heading to Kanawa Island. The 60-minute boat trip costs about IDR 100,000.
There are a lot more than the island can offer to you and your group. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you bring enough equipment with you, such as a camera, sleeping bags, diving gears, trekking gears, and many more, to make the vacation one of your best life experiences.
Everything on the island is also cash-only, so you should bring enough money to pay for the food, transport, and accommodation. You can barely find any shops there, so you have to bring your own supplies such as sunscreen, shampoo, soap, insect repellent, and medication. Also, be ready for limited electricity and access to the internet on the island. It means a holiday in Kanawa Island is indeed a peaceful time for yourself!
