Being on the road for extended periods will never get old to me. A few weeks ago, I went on a 3-day birthday trip to Nusa Penida. On a whim, my travel buddy and I decided to keep the adventure going and headed east to Lombok. Lombok has been on my radar for years, but it always felt far, far away. Well, for once, it wasn’t, so in the spirit of adventure ~ we went for it! We took the ferry from Padang Bai in eastern Bali to Lembar Harbor in Lombok. Upon arriving, I immediately noticed Lombok’s untouched beauty and slower pace of life compared to Bali. Little did I know, this trip would turn into a 2 week hunt for Southern Lombok’s pristine beaches and surf spots!
We chose to set up camp in Southern Lombok because it is a wonderland of natural beauty, offering a laid-back atmosphere that perfectly complements its picturesque landscapes. This region has emerged as a top destination for surfers, aquatic sports lovers and adventurers who enjoy a more ‘off the beaten path’ itinerary. Unlike the bustling, tourist-heavy beaches of Bali, Southern Lombok’s shores are serene and uncrowded. Some days I was the only soul on a perfect beach, I’m not kidding! With stunning beach after stunning beach, crystal-clear waters, and consistent waves, it’s no wonder that Lombok has arrived on travelers’ bucket lists. For those seeking a relaxed and authentic island experience, Southern Lombok offers just that!
Southern Lombok
Getting There
• Air – the quickest way to get to Lombok from Bali is by catching a direct flight from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar or from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta to Lombok International Airport (LOP).
• Boat – fast boats depart from various points in Bali, such as Padang Bai, Serangan and Sanur. They arrive at different locations in Lombok, including Senggigi and the Gili Islands. The journey typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the departure and arrival points.
• Ferry – public ferries depart from Padang Bai in Bali to Lembar Harbor in Lombok. The ferry ride takes about 4 to 5 hours and is the most economical way to get there. This option is ideal if you want to bring your car or motorbike along. We chose this method, and it was fantastic to have our transportation as soon as we arrived at Lembar Harbor!
Where to Stay
Kuta is my top choice in regards to what city to stay in. This is the most developed city in Southern Lombok which makes life easy. It is also in the middle of the southern coast making surrounding areas very accessible. There are many diverse restaurant choices, accommodation + surfboard & scooter rentals that suit most budgets at your fingertips. The town has two main roads that intersect in the middle making it very walkable and easy to navigate.
If you want to get out of the town center there are plenty of homestays and villas in the nearby mountains and across the main highway. One thing to mention, Kuta has a youthful vibe with the majority of travelers being on the younger side. This did not bother me as everyone was doing their own thing and following their adventure. If it is new friends you are looking to make, you will be able to with ease in Kuta.
For all my digital nomads, Kuta has great wifi! Whenever I ran a speed test it clocked in between 80-120 mbps. There are tons of radio towers throughout the island. Lombok has been working hard on its growth and development, especially since the MotoGP came to the island in 2022.
Getting Around
The best way to get around Lombok is by scooter, rental companies are everywhere. When you venture to more secluded beaches, a scooter is often the only way to get there. To make the most of your experience, I highly recommend getting comfortable on a scooter before visiting Lombok, or traveling with friends who are experienced riders. Remember, this part of Asia is moto country. The main roads in Lombok are AMAZING, safe and well-maintained.
Grab and Gojek (Asia’s equivalent of Uber) operating in Lombok, but not Kuta. You can likely find a Gojek from the port into Kuta, but none while you are based there. If you are opting not to scoot around, you will need to network with locals to find a driver to get around the region.
Eats
By now you know Rachel and I love going OFF about food recs and giving all the dish. This time I am going to keep it simple. I did not have a bad meal in Lombok. There are so many diverse cuisines in Kuta, it is more like ~ what do you feel like eating? You can pay $.50 for a local meal on the street or sit down to gourmet pizza (hello Mama Pizza 👋🏾), Mexican food or freshly caught seafood. The world is your oyster, so read reviews, try everything and go nuts!
Beaches Beaches Beaches!
Let’s chat about Southern Lombok’s pristine beaches and surf spots you need to know about! I have to tell you, in all my years of traveling I have NEVER seen this level of perfect beach after perfect beach after perfect beach (you get the idea). I can’t express this enough. They are almost untouched, not crowded and most have a beachside warung (local casual restaurant) serving essentials. I kept turning to my friend and saying, I feel like we are in the movie The Beach. So many times I wanted to scream ~ we have found paradise!
Regarding surfing, dry season (May to October) is the best time for consistent waves although many breaks in Lombok are good year-round. There are tons of surf camps and schools offering daily lessons and accommodation. I have never joined a surf camp but I’ve heard about others having great experiences and coming away from camps feeling like a much better surfer. All the breaks mentioned below start at a perfect beach. If you aren’t a surfer but love the beach, I highly suggest checking out these beaches to soak in the beauty and to go for a swim when the tides allow.
The Southern Breaks
• Tanjung Aan – famous for its unique double bays and pristine sand offering a variety of waves, suitable for both beginners and more experienced surfers. This beach is lined with warungs and surfboard rentals. Whoever you rent a board from can take you by boat to the break or you can paddle out. The paddle is about 15 -20 mins. I suggest this option for stronger swimmers, I did this and loved the pre-surf warmup!
This was the most populated beach I visited in Lombok, which was still not overly crowded. Since this is a bay, it is perfect for swimming and sunbathing too.
• Gerupuk Bay – a bay featuring several surf breaks accessible by boat. Gerupuk offers a range of waves suitable for all levels, from beginner to expert. The main breaks include Inside Gerupuk, Outside Gerupuk, and Don-Don. You can hire locals on the spot to boat you out to the breaks. This is also a very popular area to join a surf camp!
• Mawi Beach – a more secluded and rugged beach, put your adventure cap on and buckle up for bumpy unpaved roads on the moto. Once you reach the beach you will think, yep that was worth it! Known for its powerful waves and reef breaks, it’s popular with advanced surfers. Look out for rocks in the lineup.
• Selong Belanak – a picturesque crescent-shaped bay with calm, turquoise waters. Ideal for beginners due to its gentle waves and sandy bottom, surf lessons and board rentals are plentiful here. This beach is also lined with warungs serving local eats and beach chairs. If you are lucky you may catch a herd of black buffalo strolling the sand!
Pro tip ~ Selong Belanak is highly regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia, in other words, get here!
Further East & West
• Ekas Bay – this break lies in a remote and less developed area east of Kuta. Ekas features two main surf breaks, Inside Ekas and Outside Ekas, catering to intermediate and advanced surfers.
• Desert Point – also known as Bangko-Bangko, world-famous for its long, barreling left-hand wave, attracting experienced surfers seeking epic rides on shallow coral reef breaks. This dry season wave (May – Nov) west of Kuta is in a shallow area with rip currents.
Pro Tip ~ If you are heading to Desert Point I suggest making a day or two of it and exploring this region – Sekotong. It is known for being wildly rugged and beautiful. It is the jumping-off point for accessing the southwestern Gili Islands as well.
It’s worth noting that there are more breaks in the southern region of Lombok. I mentioned the ones above either because I personally visited the beaches or because I kept reading and hearing rave reviews about them.
Other Activities
Even though this article is about Southern Lombok’s pristine beaches and surf spots, there are tons of other activities to enjoy! Here are a few I loved, and others that are on my bucket list for next time.
Around Kuta
• Visiting a Sasak Village – 10 minutes inland from Kuta lies two Sasak villages – Sade and Rambitan. The Sasak are the indigenous people of Lombok, known for their rich culture, traditions and unique architectural style.
Visiting either village offers a glimpse into traditional life, with their distinctive thatched-roof houses and cultural practices on display. You can expect warm hospitality from the locals, who are often eager to share their customs, craftsmanship and artistry while providing an immersive experience in Sasak culture. Someone from the village will offer to show you around for a small tip. There is much to learn and shopping to be had!
• Hiking – or as the locals say, trekking. The surrounding hills and mountains have many vistas, ridges and phenomenal sunset lookouts. Google wasn’t always the most reliable with trailheads, but it will point you in the right direction. Ask a local or use your favorite trail app to find the perfect hike for your fitness level. We hiked Bukit Merese and Bukit Antara, both had wonderful views at the summit!
Outside Kuta
• The Pink Beaches – if you head east past Ekas you will find quite a few pink beaches on Google. The sand is pink due to tiny pieces of red coral mixed with the white sand, it is quite a site to be seen! The roads to these pink beaches are rugged, we ended up parking our motto on a small hill and walking 5 minutes to the beach.
A great activity would be heading to the floating restaurant Lesehan Seafood Sang Dewi for an unforgettable meal. Someone who works at the restaurant will take you in a water taxi to their location. After your meal cruise to one of the pink beaches and relax for sunset.
• Trekking Mount Rinjani – the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, this trek offers breathtaking views of lush landscapes, crater lakes and the surrounding islands from its summit. The adventure takes 2-4 days, depending on the chosen route and starting point. It is highly recommended to go with a guide due to the challenging terrain and potential safety risks.
• Exploring the Gilis – ‘Gili’ in the Sasak language means ‘small island’. Visiting these surrounding small islands is easy and quite affordable. The most famous Gilis in the northwest are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. If you are in the southwest, you’ll find Gili Asahan, Gili Layar, and Gili Nanggu (to name a few). Each island boasts unique attractions, whether world-class diving, serene beaches, or vibrant nightlife. A quick Google search will help you decide which island has your name on it.
Goodbye to Lusty Lombok
My friends, as we say goodbye to lusty Lombok, I tried to keep it concise while offering an article that will help you feel confident planning your trip. I did a bit of research before arriving in Lombok and couldn’t find all the information I wanted, so I wrote the article I was looking for!
I hope you feel informed about Southern Lombok’s pristine beaches and surf spots! If you are looking for a departure from the touristy towns in Bali, I can’t recommend Lombok enough. Candily I am ready to return to Lombok, the beauty and waves stole a piece of my heart. I hope you see what I saw when you visit. As always Rach and I are always available if you have any questions!
See you in the water 🤙🏽
Bekah
PS ~ For more beach vibes & dreamy waves, check out our 411 on Puerto Rico!
