Beach Hopping in Kuta Lombok, Indonesia

If you’re looking for a less touristy, less developed, more authentic version of Bali, then head to its neighbor, Lombok (mentioned in the last post). Lombok is an island east of Bali with the Gili Islands just off of the coast. If you’re coming from the Gilis, it’s an easy 10-15 minute boat ride to Bangsal harbor and only costs 12,000 IDR (80 cents). The only catch is that the boat doesn’t leave at any specific time; you just have to wait until the boat fills with 40 passengers. I only had to wait 30 minutes and that was during low season, so I don’t think it should be a problem. The boat takes you to Bangsal harbor where you will need to find transport to Kuta Lombok. Unfortunately, it’s a two-hour drive, so the taxi cost is a bit pricey. I arranged the ride ahead of time through the hostel I stayed at in Gili Air, and was greeted by my driver as soon as I stepped off of the boat. The two-hour drive costs 400,000 ($30) which is the most expensive transfer I’ve taken while in Indonesia, but there is less competition than in Bali, so drivers are less likely to give you the price you ask for. Luckily, I was able to split the cost with my friend Henry, who was also heading to Kuta Lombok.

Our driver dropped us at Together Homestay, accommodation recommended to me by my friend Garry who I met while waiting for a flight to Bali out of Darwin (you meet a lot of people while travelling!) It was a great recommendation for a private room and bathroom, queen-sized bed, plus breakfast, and was only 100,000 IDR ($7.50) per night. The staff was super friendly and offered tea and coffee throughout the day with no additional fee. They also set us up with a bike to rent for 50,000 IDR per day, which is both convenient and a good price. Just make sure you see them write down your arrival date. They made an error in their records and tried to charge both Henry and I for an extra night. I don’t think they were trying to scam us, they’re just not very organized. The location is great, right on the main drag near the beach, heaps of restaurants, shops, and travel information if you want to take a day trip somewhere.

Now to the good stuff…the beaches!

1. Kuta Main Beach: Truthfully, it’s not he nicest beach, but the coastline is beautiful so I still think it’s worth seeing. You’ll see all the stray dogs playing on the beach (so cute) and a bunch of locals just hanging out.
2. Tanjung Aan: This is a long stretch of beach with a swing in the water for a nice photo op, and features a really nice walk up the hillside for panoramic views of the landscape. It’s a great place to watch the sunset from!
   
3. Mawum: In the opposite direction you will find Mawun. It is a nice beach, but I was disappointed by all of the plastic in the water. Bummer to see such a beautiful beach destroyed with trash. If you have limited time, I’d say skip this one.
4. Mawi: Now we’re talking! Mawi is a gorgeous beach as well as an advanced surfer’s paradise. There are many rocky edges, so I would not suggest an inexperienced surfer to hit the waves here. Although the current was a little strong, it was still fine to swim in. There’s a path up the rocks to the left of the beach that you can follow and will lead you to hidden beach. Henry and I were the only ones here, so it really felt like our own private beach! The tide on this side of the rocks is really strong so just be careful when swimming.
5. Selong Belanak: Last but certainly not least, Selong Belanak was by far my favorite beach that we visited. It had the clearest water, the most beautiful landscape, and the cleanest sand. It’s a little busier than Mawi, but I didn’t mind given how beautiful it was. The waves are pretty mild, so it’s perfect for beginner surfers. There are multiple surf schools along the beach if you want to take a lesson.

A few things to note: Each beach charges 10,000 IDR for parking/entrance. Each beach also has lunch, snack, and beverage options, so don’t worry about going hungry or thirsty while beach hopping all day. All beaches mentioned are decently far apart from each other, so you will need a scooter to access. The farthest beach we went to, Selong Belanak, was about a 40 minute ride from Together Homestay.

On your way back from beach hopping, stop at Ashtari Restaurant & Lounge for a drink and a snack, and take in the gorgeous views of Kuta Lombok from above. It’s a bit pricey, but you’re paying for the views! Just a few minutes down the road back towards Kuta is Summit, another great place to enjoy a drink and the views.

For dinner head to Nugget’s Corner, a family owned Indonesian restaurant with vegetarian options. It was delicious and reasonably priced. There’s also Restu Bundo that serves traditional Padang food not too far down the street from where we were staying. Here is where I had the best Nasi Campur I had in Indonesia. It’s double the price of street Nasi Campur, but was so worth it! (It still only cost 35,000 IDR, or $2.60 hehe).

My favorite part of visiting Kuta Lombok was just riding up the coast and taking in all of the scenery. From rice patties, to rolling green hills and stunning coastal views, it’s such a scenic ride. Kudos to Henry for safe driving through the winding roads, sharp turns, and steep hills!