The 7 Best Beaches in Lombok – For Surfers & Non-Surfers
I have a lot of love for Lombok. Yea, the surf breaks are getting more and more crowded. Yea, the seasons are a bit iffy. Yea, there are some development faux pas going on a la Bingin (they recently levelled all the hotels in Tanjung Aan).
BUT – this remains a paradise. I’m talking a whole south coast that’s threaded with shimmering, silver lines of sand and sea so fricking blue you’d think it was photoshopped.
If you like to surf in places that look like the pages of a travel brochure, Lombok has you covered. From Mawi, where coast hills tufted with jungle lurch over empty reef breaks, all the way to deserted Ekas Bay, there is loads to enjoy.
I usually say go with a surf camp, but if you’re here for the beaches as much as the waves, then a hotel and your own mode of transport might be the better pick – otherwise you’ll do less lazing around on the sand, more surfing.
>>Get beach info and more in our guide to surfing in Indonesia
Tanjung Aan Beach
Just east of Kuta Lombok, Tanjung Aan is the island’s poster child. I’m talking a double crescent of white sand wrapping around a turquoise bay so clear it looks unreal.
The drive from Kuta takes about 10-20 minutes along a newly paved coastal road that winds past coconut groves and rolling headlands.
The right side of the bay (Pantai Aan) has calmer swimming, while the left (Pedau Beach) can get a bit wilder as more swell makes its way in. For sunset, hike up Bukit Merese on the west side for one of the best views in Lombok.
Sadly, Tanjung Aan was hit by yet another heavy-handed piece of coastal development in 2025. The super-nice local warungs that were here were totally demolished and the whole place flattened. Yea, cos that’s what Lombok needs – another massive hotel complex init!?
The surf? Tanjung Aan has a lovely A-frame reef break in its center. It’s one of the best improver waves on the island; not total beginner stuff but really nice and slow in the pocket. The left is steeper.
Areguling
Areguling (sometimes called Air Guling) is a real beauty, sat just 10 minutes west of Kuta, tucked at the end of a palm-lined valley with barely any development save for a couple of bamboo warungs, some local homes, and a few surf schools.
Getting here means following a dusty track that drops down from the main coastal road, so a scooter or car with good clearance helps – as does some good driving skills.
Once there, you’ll be rewarded with a long, horseshoe-shaped bay with blinding white sand. Ther’s probably going to be hardly anyone around. It’s one of those spots where you can find your own patch of beach even in peak season. Swimming is possible in the shallows but it shelves quickly, so it’s not ideal for kids. Also, be wary of spiky coral.
The surf, though – that’s epic.
The surf? Areguling is a consistent reef break that can be world-class on its day. The right is the main draw – a long, hollow wall that barrels at size – while the left offers something softer on the eastern side of the bay. Paddle channel cuts through the middle of em’.
Mawi Beach
If you’re after rugged beauty, Mawi is the one. The beach sits at the end of a bumpy 4WD track about 45 minutes west of Kuta, flanked by grassy headlands and backed by dusty hills.
There’s not much in the way of facilities — the nearest warung and shop is back on the main road, close to the town of Selong Belanak. That’s all part of the charm, though.
The sand here is gold-white and coarse, and the water a deep, shifting blue. It’s not a great swimming beach because of the strong currents, but it’s ideal for a quiet sunbake or an off-grid vibe. Bring shade and water, as there’s precious little of either.
The surf? Mawi is a heavy-ish A-frame reef that can turn on some serious tubes when the swell lines up in the dry season. At lower tides it’s shallow and hollow; when the water pushes in, it mellows into fun, carveable walls. Intermediate to advanced surfers only most of the time, apart from on smaller swells and higher tides.
Selong Belanak
If you’ve ever come to Lombok as a beginner surfer then the chances are you will have surfed in Selong Belanak. This flawless, sweeping bay framed by green hills, about 25 minutes west of Kuta, is home to some of the most forgiving little beach break waves on the island – it’s a fun, fun, fun place to get started.
It’s also famous for its soft white sand and gentle gradient, meaning you can wade out forever without the water getting deep. The beach is clean and family-friendly, with a decent spread of warungs offering food, drinks, and surfboard rentals.
Small fishing boats are moored along the east end, adding to the local charm. Despite its popularity, it never feels overcrowded thanks to its sheer size. Perfect for a swim or just lazing the day away under an umbrella.
If I HAD to pick a downside, I’d say it’s the water quality. Selong doesn’t have the pure blue of other beaches in Lombok simply because it’s a sand bottomed bay.
The surf? Selong Belanak is one of Lombok’s best beginner beaches. The sandy bottom, mellow waves, and forgiving whitewater make it perfect for learning.
Merese Beach
Merese Beach sits just around the corner from Tanjung Aan. It’s actually the name for an entire headland of viewpoints and hidden coves.
You reach it via a short dirt track off the main Tanjung Aan road, and once there, hike up the grassy hilltops for panoramic views of the coast – they’re popular at sunset for good reason. Bring a Bintang, of course.
The main beach itself is peaceful, usually empty except for a few locals herding cows or couples picnicking in the shade. Swimming is possible when the tide’s up, though it’s more a spot for lounging and exploring than for long dips. Come here for sunset to watch the sky turn every shade of orange.
The surf? The reefs around Merese can work on the right day, but they’re fickle and exposed. You’ll occasionally spot local groms trying their luck on small days, and there is a spot on the main beach that the locals know about, a decent left off the reef there. Usually a check spot if you’re on a surf camp.
Ekas Beach
Ekas lies on the southeastern corner of Lombok. It’s far from the maddening crowds of Kuta, a bit remote, wild, and still relatively undeveloped.
It’s reached via a long, winding road from Awang (expect around 1.5 hours from Kuta), and the final stretch can get rough. Usually, surfers get on a boat at the harbor on the west side of the bay and chug out to whatever spot they’re surfing, but you could also stay here to get the beach to yourself.
And what a beach it is! I’m talking a pristine double bay hemmed in by limestone cliffs. You can stay overnight at surf camps overlooking the water (my pick) or just come for the day. The beach itself is a mix of sand and coral, great for walks and low-tide exploring, though swimming is limited to small lagoons. The vibe is super chilled.
The surf? Ekas has two main breaks: Inside Ekas, a mellow left-hander ideal for intermediates, and Outside Ekas, a wedgy A-frame with steep lefts that like nice big swells in dry season.
Dagong Beach
Dagong Beach is the quietest of this whole bunch. You’ll need to go out in search of it, tucked out beyond the eastern edge of Ekas Bay, making this one of the farthest from Kuta Lombok town I list here.
Getting in from Kuta will involve a drive of over an hour, and a scramble down a rocky track, which keeps the crowds away.
The payoff? A wild, scenic cove with pale sand, clear water, and almost no infrastructure. There are no warungs here – bring your own food – but it’s a beautiful place to unwind in total peace.
Swimming is possible at high tide when the water fills the lagoon, though watch for sharp reef patches and be wary – remember you’re likely to be along on Dagong! On calm days, it’s one of Lombok’s most idyllic, untamed corners.
The surf? Dagong picks up the same swells that light up Ekas but it hits harder here since the whole reef us really exposed. The main spot is a nice left hander that works off of neighboring Pantai Sungkun. I guess it’s possible to paddle out from the shore, but it’s quite far and I’ve no idea about currents, so I’d reccomend getting a boat from Ekas harbor like the surf camps do.
