Soe Besar Vanrei
Soe Besar Vanrei Phinisi
A last-morning beach, no early start
Updated 8 November 2026
Sebayur island snorkel is a last-morning stop on the Soe Besar Vanrei 3D2N, as the alternative to Kanawa, and on day three of the 4D3N. It offers a beach and a reef for 45 to 90 minutes, in easy water, outside the dragon area.
Sebayur in numbers
Day 3, Sebayur: a beach, a reef, and nothing to climb.
Sebayur is the larger of the Sebayur islands, near Flores. It is 90 to 120 minutes by boat from Labuan Bajo, and the stop is a snorkel and a beach. The snorkel runs 45 to 90 minutes. The water is 2 to 10 m deep, the current is mild and the effort is easy. The island lies outside the dragon trekking area.
On the 3D2N, day three goes to Sebayur or Kanawa, and the captain agrees which. On the 4D3N, Sebayur follows Kanawa and Gili Lawa on day three. The 2D1N does not reach it.
The captain chooses between Sebayur and Kanawa on the 3D2N.
The snorkel and the beach
The beach and the reef are close together, so the party can split without losing sight of each other. A grandparent sits on the sand, a parent swims beside a child, and a teenager takes a kayak or a stand-up paddle board.
The reef is shallow near the shore and deepens gradually. A vest keeps a nervous swimmer comfortable, and the life jackets are on board in child sizes confirmed in writing once we know age and weight.
- Effort: easy.
- Who can stay aboard: anyone.
- Bring: hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel.
Sebayur is an island for a beach morning rather than a long swim. Allow an hour and a half, and let the youngest set the pace.
Sebayur or Kanawa on day three
The choice on day three of the 3D2N is between Sebayur and Kanawa. Sebayur is further, at 90 to 120 minutes from the harbour against 60 to 90 for Kanawa, and its water runs deeper, to 10 m against 6. Both are easy snorkels with a mild current.
For a family the difference is mostly the sea time. A party with a seasick grandparent can ask for the shorter ride. A party that wants a larger beach and a deeper reef can ask for Sebayur. The captain agrees the final choice with the weather in view.
We do not promise either island on the 3D2N, and we do not promise a choice. We name both because the written routes do.
A last morning with no early start
Day three has no sunrise climb and no ranger walk to schedule around. The party wakes, eats and sails at the captain's pace. That makes it the gentlest morning of the trip, and a party can ask the captain how unhurried the start can be.
Then comes the way home. The 3D2N returns to Labuan Bajo on day three after the morning snorkel and lunch, then to the hotel or airport. The return time is confirmed in writing before you book a flight home. Book an afternoon or evening flight, and ask us first.
Caveat: the return time depends on the sea, the stop chosen and the harbour, and we do not print one.
FAQ
Is Sebayur or Kanawa on the three-day trip?
Day three of the 3D2N goes to one of the two, and the captain agrees which, with the weather in view. We do not promise either. The 4D3N visits both on its third day, with Gili Lawa between them.
How far is Sebayur from Labuan Bajo?
About 90 to 120 minutes by boat. It is the longer of the two day-three options and sits near Flores. The sea time is part of the day, and a party with a seasick guest can ask us about the shorter alternative.
Is the Sebayur snorkel good for children and non-swimmers?
Yes. The water near the shore is shallow, the current is mild and the level is easy. A child wears a vest and stays with an adult, and a non-swimmer can sit on the beach or stay aboard. We confirm life-jacket sizes in writing.
Check availability — Soe Besar Vanrei
Bookings for Soe Besar Vanrei run through the Komodo Explorer team in Labuan Bajo. We plan the voyage, take payment and answer in writing before you board; the boat keeps its own captain and crew.