Kenawa Island

Kenawa Island is a small tropical island in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, surrounded by clear blue waters and beautiful coastal scenery. Part of the Gili Balu island group near Poto Tano, the island is known for its white sandy shoreline, open grasslands, and scenic hill overlooking the sea. Its peaceful atmosphere makes Kenawa Island a great destination for travelers interested in nature, beach activities, photography, and a relaxing island escape.

About Kenawa Island

Kenawa Island is located within the Gili Balu island group in Poto Tano, West Sumbawa. The island offers a combination of sandy beaches, green open fields, coastal vegetation, and clear ocean views, creating a simple yet beautiful tropical landscape.

One of the most recognizable parts of Kenawa Island is its small hill, which provides a panoramic view of the surrounding sea and nearby islands. The short walk to the top is especially popular among visitors looking for a scenic viewpoint and a different perspective of the island.

The landscape of Kenawa Island changes throughout the year. During the wetter months, the grass covering the island can become bright green, while the landscape becomes drier and more golden during the dry season. This seasonal change gives the island a different appearance depending on when you visit.

Kenawa Island is also part of the wider Gili Balu area, a group of small islands known for their coastal landscapes and marine environment. The destination can be included in island-hopping and sailing experiences around Poto Tano and West Sumbawa.

Kenawa Island Activities

Hiking is one of the most popular activities on Kenawa Island. Visitors can follow the trail toward the small hill and enjoy wide views of the coastline, surrounding islands, and ocean from the top.

Beach activities are another simple way to enjoy the island. The white sandy shoreline and clear water provide a relaxing setting for walking, swimming, or simply spending time by the sea.

Snorkeling can also be enjoyed around the island when sea conditions are suitable. The waters around the Gili Balu area are home to marine ecosystems that can be explored during snorkeling and other water activities.

Photography is particularly popular at Kenawa Island. The contrast between the grass-covered landscape, white beach, blue ocean, and surrounding islands creates plenty of opportunities for landscape and travel photography.

Sunset watching is another memorable experience. The island’s open landscape provides wide views toward the horizon, making it a peaceful place to watch the sky change color in the late afternoon.

How to Get There

Kenawa Island can be reached by boat from Poto Tano in West Sumbawa, making it an accessible destination for travelers exploring the Gili Balu island group. Local boats can be arranged from the Poto Tano area to reach the island.

For travelers coming from Lombok, Kenawa Island can also be visited as part of a Komodo trip from Lombok. Some multi-day sailing trips traveling from Lombok toward Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park include Kenawa Island as one of their stops along the route. This allows travelers to experience the beaches and scenery of Sumbawa before continuing their journey toward Komodo.

Travelers can also visit Kenawa Island through an island-hopping trip around the Gili Balu area. Depending on the itinerary, the journey can be combined with other islands and coastal destinations around West Sumbawa.

The exact route and destinations included in a Komodo sailing trip may vary between boat operators. Weather, sea conditions, trip duration, and operational schedules can also affect the itinerary, so travelers are advised to check the route and included destinations before booking.

Travel Tips & Gallery

The dry season is generally a comfortable period to visit Kenawa Island because sunny weather makes outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, photography, and boat travel more convenient. However, the island’s landscape can look very different depending on the season, especially the color and condition of the grass.

Visitors should prepare essential items such as drinking water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable footwear, swimwear, and a waterproof bag. Bringing your own supplies is recommended because facilities on small islands can be limited.

Comfortable shoes are useful if you plan to climb the hill, particularly during hot weather. It is also important to bring enough drinking water and protect yourself from direct sunlight during the hike.

As with other natural destinations, visitors should help keep Kenawa Island clean by taking rubbish with them and avoiding damage to plants, coral reefs, and other parts of the environment. Respecting the natural surroundings helps maintain the island’s beauty for future visitors.

FAQ About Kenawa Island

Kenawa Island is located in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, within the Gili Balu island group near Poto Tano.

Travelers can reach Kenawa Island from Lombok by taking a ferry from Kayangan Harbor to Poto Tano and continuing by boat. Kenawa Island can also be included as a stop on selected Komodo sailing trips from Lombok to Labuan Bajo.

Visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming, snorkeling, beach walks, photography, and scenic views from the island’s hill. Sunset is also a popular time to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming, snorkeling, beach walks, photography, and scenic views from the island’s hill. Sunset is also a popular time to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Yes. Some multi-day sailing trips from Lombok to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park include Kenawa Island as one of their stops. The exact destinations depend on the boat operator, itinerary, weather, and sea conditions.

Yes. Kenawa Island can be visited as a day trip from the Poto Tano area. Travelers should check local boat availability and weather conditions before planning their visit.