Kenawa Island
Poto Tano, West Sumbawa, Indonesia
Kenawa is a small, uninhabited island off West Sumbawa, Indonesia, a short boat ride from Poto Tano harbor, with white sand beaches ringing grassy hills that turn from brown to green depending on the season. There's a short hike to a hilltop lookout, and camping on the beach overnight is common since there's no development at all.
A genuinely undeveloped island escape that's easy to reach for how remote it feels, but the total lack of facilities means every trip takes some planning ahead.
Bring your own tent, food, and water if you're staying overnight. Nothing is sold on the island, and the last boats back to Poto Tano typically leave in the late afternoon.
There's no vehicle access. Most visitors reach Poto Tano harbor from Lombok or Sumbawa Besar first, then hire a local boat for the 15 to 20 minute crossing to the island.
Boats land directly on the beach in calm conditions, and the sand is soft and open with no paths or facilities of any kind.
The dry season from April through October brings calmer seas for the crossing and the best chance of clear water for snorkeling. The wetter months bring more unpredictable boat conditions.
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