Last updated: August 2026 · Prices & availability verified for the 2026/2027 season
Last updated: August 16, 2026 · Written from Labuan Bajo
TL;DR: Taka Makassar is a tiny crescent-shaped sandbar beside Manta Point, Kanawa Island has the easiest world-class house-reef snorkeling near Labuan Bajo, and Kelor Island rewards a short, steep 15-minute trek with one of the best small viewpoints in the region. Kelor usually opens a 3D2N sailing route, Taka Makassar sits on full-day and multi-day itineraries, and Kanawa fits both day trips and the relaxed final morning of a liveaboard.
- Taka Makassar: sandbar inside Komodo National Park, next to Manta Point — 30–45 minute stop, best at lower tide
- Kanawa Island: snorkeling island roughly 45–60 minutes by boat from Labuan Bajo, just outside the park boundary
- Kelor Island: closest of the three to Labuan Bajo — short steep trek, ridge viewpoint, small white-sand beach
- How to visit: one-day boat tours, 3D2N open trips, or private phinisi charters departing Labuan Bajo
What Are Taka Makassar, Kanawa, and Kelor?
Ask ten travelers what they remember about Komodo National Park and you will hear about dragons and the Padar ridgeline. Ask our crews, and three smaller names come up just as often: Taka Makassar, Kanawa Island, and Kelor Island. None of the three takes more than an hour or two to enjoy, which is exactly why they slot so neatly into day trips and sailing routes — they are the punctuation marks between the big-name stops, and for many guests they end up being the favorite photographs of the whole trip.
At Komodo Luxury – a registered Indonesian PT under Juara Holding Group Limited with 1,500+ verified guest reviews (4.9/5 across Google and TripAdvisor) – we anchor at these islands nearly every day of the season, so what follows reflects how the stops actually work on the water, not brochure copy.
What Makes Taka Makassar So Special?
Taka Makassar is not really an island at all. It is a slender crescent of white and pink-tinged sand sitting on top of a shallow reef flat in the strait east of Komodo Island, a few minutes by boat from Karang Makassar — the drift-snorkeling site better known as Manta Point. At lower tides the sandbar stretches long enough to walk; at higher tides it shrinks to a sliver with ankle-deep turquoise water spreading in every direction. There is no jetty, no shade, and no facilities — your boat holds position nearby and a tender drops you on the sand.
Because it sits beside Manta Point, almost every full-day itinerary pairs the two: snorkel with the mantas first, then dry off on the sandbar while the crew prepares fruit and drinks. Plan 30–45 minutes here. Bring a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, and if you fly a drone, this is the stop where it earns its place in your luggage — the crescent shape against the gradient of blues is the single most photographed frame on our Komodo boat tours.
Is Kanawa Island Good for Snorkeling?
Yes — for easy, no-current, straight-off-the-beach snorkeling, Kanawa Island is the best option close to Labuan Bajo. The island lies about 45–60 minutes west of town, just outside the national park boundary, and its long wooden jetty crosses a house reef that begins in barely two meters of water. Expect dense coral gardens, schooling fusiliers, clownfish, and very regular green turtle sightings; on calm mornings you can spot rays gliding over the sand channels from the jetty itself without getting wet.
Kanawa suits two kinds of moments. On a one-day trip it is the gentle closing stop after the bigger hikes. On a 3D2N sailing route it often becomes the final morning — a slow swim, breakfast on deck, then the short cruise home. Families and first-time snorkelers consistently rate it the most comfortable water stop of the itinerary because entry is gradual and the reef starts immediately. Facilities on the island itself are limited and change season to season, so treat it as a boat-based stop rather than a place to rely on for food or shade.
How Hard Is the Trek on Kelor Island?
Kelor Island is the closest of the three to Labuan Bajo — roughly 30–45 minutes by boat — and it offers the best effort-to-reward ratio in the region: a single steep dirt path climbing about 15–20 minutes to a grassy ridge, with a panorama over two curved bays, scattered islets, and the Flores mainland behind. The trail is short but genuinely steep, with loose ground near the top; proper sandals or shoes make a real difference, and going early beats the midday heat.
Below the ridge is a compact white-sand beach with decent snorkeling on the fringing reef. Guests who skip the climb still get a full stop out of it. Kelor is typically the first landfall on day one of a 3D2N route — a leg-stretcher an hour out of port that sets the tone for the days ahead — and it also anchors shorter half-day itineraries for travelers with limited time in Labuan Bajo.
Which Itinerary Visits Which Island?
The three islands rarely appear together on a single compressed route — they sit on different legs of the sailing grounds. Here is how they map to the itineraries we actually run:
| Island | Known for | Time needed | Where it appears | Inside the park? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taka Makassar | Crescent sandbar beside Manta Point | 30–45 min | Full-day boat tours; day 2 of 3D2N routes | Yes |
| Kanawa Island | House-reef snorkeling, turtles, long jetty | 1.5–2 hours | Day trips; final morning of open trips | No — just outside |
| Kelor Island | Short steep trek to a ridge viewpoint | 45–60 min | First stop of 3D2N routes; half-day trips | No — just outside |
In practice: a fast one-day speedboat tour usually collects Padar, Pink Beach, the dragons, Manta Point, and Taka Makassar, with Kanawa as the last swim. A 3D2N sailing trip spreads the same ground over three relaxed days, opening with Kelor and closing near Kanawa, with Taka Makassar in the heart of day two.
Day Trip, Open Trip, or Private Charter — Which Should You Pick?
If your time in Flores is short, a one-day Komodo boat tour reaches Taka Makassar and Kanawa comfortably, with Kelor available on shorter routings. If you want all three islands without rushing, a shared-cabin 3D2N open trip is the natural fit — you sleep on the boat, wake up already at the next anchorage, and meet the sandbar before the day-trip crowds arrive.
Traveling as a family or group with your own pace in mind? A private trip lets you decide whether Kelor gets thirty minutes or two hours, and a private yacht charter on one of our luxury phinisi turns Taka Makassar into a sunset-hour stop long after the last speedboat has gone — the single best time to have the sandbar to yourselves. Coming from Bali? Most guests fly into Labuan Bajo the day before; our Komodo tour from Bali guide covers the logistics.
When Is the Best Time to Visit These Three Islands?
The dry season from April to November brings the calmest seas and clearest water for all three stops. Taka Makassar is tide-dependent rather than season-dependent — the sandbar shows most generously around lower tides, which is why our captains sequence the day around the tide table rather than a fixed clock. Kanawa’s house reef is at its clearest on dry-season mornings before the afternoon breeze, and Kelor’s trek is kindest before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., when the ridge light is also at its best for photographs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Taka Makassar?
Yes — the water over the reef flat is shallow, warm, and calm, ideal for non-swimmers and children under supervision. Stay on the lagoon side of the sandbar; the outer edges drop toward channels where currents pick up, which is also why crews keep the tender close.
Can you stay overnight on Kanawa Island?
Facilities on Kanawa are limited and have changed hands over the years, so we advise guests not to plan around land accommodation there. The comfortable way to wake up next to the reef is sleeping aboard a phinisi anchored off the jetty — ask our team about which routes overnight nearby.
Is the Kelor Island trek suitable for kids or older travelers?
The climb is short but steep with loose footing near the summit. Sure-footed kids from around age six manage it with a hand to hold, and plenty of guests simply stay at the beach and snorkel instead — the stop works either way.
Do these islands require the Komodo National Park ticket?
Taka Makassar sits inside the park, so the government entry and activity fees apply there; Kelor and Kanawa lie just outside the boundary. Park fees are set by prevailing government regulations at the time of your trip, and our team arranges the permits as part of every itinerary.
Is it safe to visit after the August 2026 Flores earthquake?
Labuan Bajo, which sits about 200 km from the epicenter, is open and operating: the Harbormaster officially reopened sailing the same day (Maklumat Pelayaran No. 05/MP-VIII/2026) after BMKG declared the tsunami potential over, Komodo National Park never closed, and trips have run normally since August 16. So far conditions on the water are calm, and full safety protocols remain in place. Our detailed, regularly updated report is here: Is Labuan Bajo safe after the earthquake?
Ready to See All Three?
Tell us how many days you have and we will map Taka Makassar, Kanawa, and Kelor onto the right route — browse our Komodo sailing tour packages, message us on WhatsApp at +62 811-3823-875, or send a note via our contact page. Our crews are on the water every day, and the sandbar is waiting.
