Offbeat Indonesia: A relaxing island getaway

Kanawa island

Indonesia is one of the most underrated travel destinations in South East Asia. The beaches, islands, volcanoes, lakes, nightlife and chill scenes: Indonesia never fails to amaze. One such destination is the group of islands around the little town of Labuan Bajo.

Getting there:

Daily flights operate from Bali or Jakarta to Labuan Bajo. Strolling through downtown Labuan Bajo. you'll find tourist stalls advertising day trips and overnight trips to the islands. They vary in package price and services offered. With some good bargaining skills, you can cut yourself a good deal. If you have limited time, the day trips will suit you just fine. However, the live aboard trips are truly the ones to look forward to.

Live aboard trips depart daily in the morning, but be sure to book the trip at least the night before. Grab your camera and sunscreen; get enough cash, some snacks and drinks, then off you go. Sail through the turquoise waters, surrounded by the olive hills: the smell of the ocean filling up your senses. Spend your days on the ocean like the sailors from the distant past.

Choosing your boat:

Depending on the group size, you can choose a big or a small boat. You can also opt to join a group or have your own private holiday for a higher pricing, which is totally worth the experience and highly recommended. The boats can have a private cabinet, an open deck, or a mixture of both. Try to look for the mixed one, so that you can enjoy the stars on a clear night and also have a shelter lest there be rain.

Padar Island

Recommended Detour:

You can arrange with your boat to drop you off at Kanawa as your last spot for the trip. Alternatively, base yourself at Kanawa instead of Labuan Bajo, for exploring the islands, an option which is generally a costlier affair.

Kanawa Island

Happy Panda Notes:

The live aboard trips take you to different locations in the nearby islands, depending on the no. of days. However, the places which you must include are:

1. Rinca and Komodo islands (at least one of them), where you can spot the Komodo dragons
2. Padar island: hike to the top for lovely views of the three different colored - pink, black and white sand - beaches on its either sides. The sunset view is worth a while.
3. Pink Beach: one of the nine pink beaches around the world with good snorkeling options
4. Kanawa island, which offers pristine beach and wonderful panorama, with one of the best sunset scenes in the region. The snorkeling in Kanawa is good as well.

Read On: Kanawa Island, Spotting the Komodo Dragons, Mount Kelimutu

Ideal Time Commitment: 5-6 days

Pocket pinch: $$

Kanawa Island, Indonesia

Introduction:
About an hour away from the more touristy Labuan Bajo is the pristine little island of Kanawa. Turquoise water, clear undersea views, mesmerizing sunsets with purple hues and breathtaking panorama from the hilltops characterize this island. The absence of packed crowd adds to its serene beauty. So far, only one resort is present in the island, making the prices a bit higher, but this is a good option to enjoy a secluded and relaxed retreat, combined with abundant swimming and snorkeling options, which Labuan Bajo town sure lacks in, with limited activities to do.

Kanawa island: Captured by Soumya Pachigolla

Getting there:

Ferry from Labuan Bajo departs once daily around 12 pm - 1 pm for Kanawa island. Tickets are available with the Kanawa Island Resorts office in the Labuan Bajo town center.

In case you miss that ferry, you can have charter arrangement with tour operators, or book group tours covering Kanawa island and get dropped off there. Alternately, you can go to the Bajo village at the northern end of Labuan Bajo and try to make deal with the local fishermen there to take you to Kanawa.

The ride from Labuan Bajo to Kanawa should take around 1 hour.

Kanawa Island

Getting around:

Getting around the island is by foot. There are tours operating to the Komodos with pick up from Kanawa. Hence, Kanawa could be a more secluded (and expensive) alternative base for the trips to the Komodos rather than the more popular Labuan Bajo.

Accommodation:

Kanawa Island Resort offers bungalows for 6.000.00 IDR/night. Although expensive, but promising getaway, that Kanawa offers, is totally worth it.

Note: If you are not staying in the resort, admission fees is chargeable for going to the beach in Kanawa island. Snorkeling only is, however, non chargeable.

Activities in Kanawa:

Swimming and Snorkeling: The clear turquoise water makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. What is even more exciting is the fact that the water around Kanawa has some amazing snorkeling opportunities with diversified undersea life.

The water around Kanawa has a very good visibility and lovely views to offer

Sunbathing: The lovely beach is all yours to stroll around or sunbathe or simply relax on the beach chairs.

Beach chair to relax and enjoy the lovely view

Sunset view: The sunset view in Kanawa is believed to be one of the loveliest around the region. But unfortunately, we did not stay here long enough to watch it here.

Stargazing: Our boat halted for the night somewhere nearby Kanawa, so I can say that on a clear night, this place spells magic. The sky dazzles with stars and I can only imagine how lovely stargazing would be, sitting by the sea!

Stargazing

Visit the Komodos: Daily trips depart for the Komodo National Park which is near the Kanawa island.

Komodos

Read On: Sleeping under the stars in the Komodos, Spotting the Komodo Dragons, Mount Kelimutu