Lombok's laid-back south coast surf town, gateway to stunning bays like Tanjung Aan and Selong Belanak. It is far quieter than Bali's Kuta with traditional Sasak villages nearby.
8.89°S 116.28°E
May to September (dry season) brings the best weather
2 nights
LOP
$12/night
Kuta Lombok is a small surf town on Lombok's south coast, and it is nothing like its loud namesake in Bali. The draw here is a string of wide, dramatic bays separated by headlands, with white sand, turquoise water, and a backdrop of dry green hills that turn golden in the dry season. It has grown fast in recent years, partly thanks to the MotoGP circuit at nearby Mandalika, so it is busier and more developed than it was, but still relaxed and walkable at its core.
It suits surfers of all levels, beach hoppers with a scooter, and travelers who want a laid-back base without resort polish. The trade-off is that you really need a scooter to reach the best beaches, and the town itself is more functional than pretty.
Kuta is a surf hub with breaks for every level scattered along the coast. Beginners take lessons at Are Guling, while more experienced surfers boat out to reef breaks like Gerupuk and Mawi. Local guides run boat trips out to the Gerupuk bays daily, and board rental and lessons are easy to arrange in town.
Tanjung Aan is the postcard bay just east of town, a horseshoe of pale sand split by a rocky outcrop you can climb (Merese Hill nearby) for the view over both bays. Rent a scooter in town for around 75,000 to 100,000 IDR a day and string together several beaches in an afternoon. Expect persistent sarong and bracelet sellers at the popular spots.
This grassy headland between Tanjung Aan and Seger beach has a gentle walking trail to the top and one of the best sunset panoramas on the south coast, with cliffs dropping to the sea on both sides. Go an hour before sunset. There is a small parking and entry fee, usually a few thousand rupiah collected informally.
West of Kuta, a bumpy scooter ride gets you to beaches like Mawun (a sheltered crescent good for swimming), Selong Belanak (long, flat, perfect for learner surfers), and the wilder Mawi. The roads vary from decent to rough, so ride carefully and fill up on fuel before you go.
Getting there
Fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP), which is the closest airport and only about a 20 to 30 minute drive north of Kuta, making this one of the easier-to-reach beach towns in the region. Grab and Gojek work at the airport, or guesthouses arrange pickups for a fixed fare. From Bali, the simplest route is a short flight to LOP, or a fast boat to the Gilis or Bangsal followed by a longer drive south across the island. From Jakarta there are direct flights to Lombok.
Best time to visit
May to September (dry season) brings the best weather, clearest water, and most consistent surf, with the shoulder months of April and October still good and quieter. January and February are the wettest and least reliable.
Where to stay
Stay in or just around Kuta town for walkability to cafes, surf shops, and nightlife (hostels and guesthouses from around 150,000 IDR, mid-range bungalows 400,000 to 800,000 IDR). For more quiet and sea views, look at stays toward Tanjung Aan or Mandalika, though you will rely more on a scooter.
Pretty much, yes, if you want to reach the good beaches and surf spots, which are spread out along rough coastal roads. If you do not ride, you can hire a driver for the day, but it costs more and limits spontaneity.
Some bays like Mawun and Tanjung Aan are calm and good for swimming, but others have currents and are really for surfing. There are few or no lifeguards, so check conditions locally and do not swim out alone at unfamiliar beaches.
No, and that is the point. It is far smaller, quieter, and more about surf and nature than clubs and crowds, though it is developing quickly and is busier than it used to be.
Build a route across Indonesia in minutes. We work out the travel time and cost between every stop, then a local turns it into a trip.
Build your tripSade is a traditional Sasak village near Kuta where you can see thatched houses and ikat weaving demonstrations. It is touristy and you will be guided around for a donation plus pressure to buy textiles, but it is a genuine window into Lombok's indigenous culture. Keep expectations realistic and bring small notes.
The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit just outside town hosts MotoGP and World Superbike rounds. If your visit lines up with a race weekend the town fills up and prices jump, so book far ahead. Outside race weekends you can sometimes tour the circuit area.
The sights worth building a day around. Open any one for a full guide.
beachA sheltered C-shaped cove between two headlands, usually calm and quiet.
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viewpointGrassy clifftops above Tanjung Aan with wide ocean views and a popular sunset.
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culturalA working Sasak village of thatched houses and rice-barn lumbung, known for hand weaving.
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beachThe closest beach to Kuta town, with reef surf breaks and the Bau Nyale festival.
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surfA long crescent of soft sand with mellow beginner waves and rows of surf schools.
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beachA wide horseshoe bay with two textures of sand and calm, shallow turquoise water.
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