Secret Lombok, Indonesia: The Best Things to Do
Lombok is, in a word, enchanting.
This island next to Bali receives far fewer visitors and yet it’s equally, if not even more, beautiful than its famous neighbor.
During my time there I visited six different waterfalls, more beaches than I can count, most of which I had all to myself, and climbed the amazing Rinjani volcano, finishing with a trip to the Gili islands.
In full disclosure these travel experiences were split up over several visits to this island (because I can’t get enough) though my itinerary can easily be replicated in one weeklong trip. Though if you can stay for longer, do yourself a favor and give it more time! I could spend months on this island alone, finding hidden coves around every Jurassic Park-like curve and bend.
This guide begins in Kuta, Lombok where most people head first. It’s quick and easy to reach from the airport and has plenty of accommodation options and gorgeous beaches. From there we’ll move north to the waterfalls, rice fields, and Rinjani, finishing with the Gilis. If you’re coming from the other direction, you can easily reverse it to suit your needs:
Kuta
This laid back surfer town is the perfect introduction to Lombok. It’s a nice mix of yoga, Western and Indonesian food, and plenty of other travelers to meet. It’s also the jumping off point for exploration of the southern beaches on Lombok, which are some of the best in Indonesia for waves, by the way.
I also loved that most of them didn’t have anyone else around. I could have a private beach all to myself, without a resort in front of it, without having to pay a huge fee, without having to worry about much of anything, at all.
These were the best ones, most of which are easy to reach by motorbike. One could spend a day at each beach, but if you’re pressed for time, you could split the following up into two days:
Pantai Mawun: A beach famous for its beauty, with beach chairs and umbrellas and fresh seafood and coconuts served on the beach.
Pantai Tampah: This was one of my favorites. There wasn’t anyone else around and the beach is cleaned regularly, and it doesn’t allow anyone to sell you anything while you’re there (which is untrue for the Kuta and Mawun where you’ll be asked to buy bracelets on the regular).
Pantai Lancing: Right next to Tampah, Lancing is equally clean and peaceful and even has a swing on the sand! If you’re visiting Tampah, might as well walk to your right (if facing the ocean) and visit Lancing too.
Pantai Semeti and Telawas:
Most of the southern beaches won’t have a sunset view, but Semeti does! It’s also one of the most unique beaches I found, with lava rock formations that are unlike anything else on Lombok. I had so much fun climbing all over them and exploring while waiting for the sun to set. The road is terrible, but if you’re confident on a motorbike, don’t miss this one!
Batu Puyung: This ‘umbrella’ shaped rock is close to Bukit Merese, the famous sunset point near Kuta. You can reach it by taking a boat ride over from the shore near Bukit Merese, or you can walk (I chose the latter). The walk takes about an hour but it goes along tide pools and over rocks, plus almost nobody chooses that route so it’s nice and quiet, too.
Bukit Merese: This hill is the spot for sunsets near Kuta, but I’d suggest going at any time of day. It’s absolutely stunning in every direction and there are strands of sand running under the bluffs that almost nobody bothers to visit, though they should!
Pantai Nambung:
I’m hesitant to include this, mostly because tourists are regularly robbed there and it’s tough to find. However it’s also very cool to see on a day with big waves, when the tide is in, because the waves rush over the rock to create a glorious, gushing waterfall. I tried over and over to get the shot with the wave, and I swear each time I put the camera down that’s when the wave would come. It felt like Mother Nature was telling me to just go play, so I did. If you visit this area, it’s best to take a guide, which I don’t often advocate but in this case I would. (a local pulled a machete on my friend and I though we were able to talk him down. It wouldn’t happen with a local guide.)
For more info on each of the beaches and photos of each, plus where to eat and do yoga, read my Kuta, Lombok guide.
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