Vhale
Vhale Phinisi
A white beach on the way home
Updated 4 November 2026
Kanawa Island is an alternative last morning for Vhale, not a stop. Kanawa, a small island west of Rinca, brings white sand and shallow coral to the last morning: the snorkel is easy, 45 to 90 minutes, and the captain offers it when the sea and the clock allow.
Kanawa, an alternative last morning
White beaches and shallow coral reefs mark Kanawa, a small island west of Rinca, and it is the one people mean when they ask for the easy snorkel. It is not on Vhale's 3D2N route, and the word alternative is the right one: it is a possible last morning in place of Siaba or Sebayur, chosen by the captain, and not something we sell as a stop.
The table gives the numbers. By the table the best hour is midday and the difficulty easy; the snorkel runs 45 to 90 minutes over water 1 to 6 metres deep, with only a mild current. By boat, Kanawa is one hour or one and a half from Labuan Bajo, a short final leg.
White sand and shallow coral
What Kanawa gives is shallow water and a lot of it. The coral starts near the sand, the colour of the sea is the one on the postcards, and a swimmer who has been nervous since Manta Point gets her confidence back here in about ten minutes. Children paddle in the shallows with a life jacket on, and the paddle boards come out for a party that wants them. The snorkel gear is on board for every guest.
Day trips come here too, and in high season the beach can be busy, so a party in July or August should expect company. Mornings are quieter, and the later you go the more people you meet.
When Kanawa replaces Sebayur
Kanawa replaces Sebayur when the captain thinks it the better choice: when the wind makes the other reef rough, when the party has younger children and wants the shallows, or when the sail home is shorter from here. It is his decision on the morning, and we do not guarantee it. On a private charter you can ask in advance and we put the question to him; on the open trip the route stands.
The one-day and four-day fares carry sample routes, and on those Kanawa is a natural candidate for the snorkel. A request is a request, and it is confirmed in writing only when the captain has agreed.
The harbour at noon
At noon the boat is back in Labuan Bajo, and the party is on the quay with wet towels, damp bags and the faint flush of people who have spent three days outdoors. The 3D2N finishes at 12:00, and the drop-off at hotel or airport belongs to the fare.
Choose an afternoon flight home, later than 14:00, so that a slow transfer costs nothing. Ask us for a night in town and we name hotels near the harbour. Leave the shore excursions for another trip, since three days on a boat leaves most people wanting a shower and a chair.
FAQ
Is Kanawa a good snorkel for children and weak swimmers?
Yes, it is one of the easiest. The water is shallow, 1 to 6 metres by the table, the current is mild, and life jackets and snorkel gear are on board for every guest. Kanawa is an alternative stop and not on the route, so ask us in advance whether the captain can offer it.
Check availability — Vhale
Bookings for Vhale are made with the Komodo Explorer team in Labuan Bajo; the boat sails with its own crew of nine.