Kuta Lombok has fast become the hub of the island’s south coast, which we now rate among the best of the most popular surf regions in Indonesia. It leaves Bali in the dust. Seriously, come here instead! Here’s why…
An introduction to Kuta Lombok
Kuta Lombok is a town that’s changed A LOT. Back when we first visited in 2013 (ah, to be young again), it was little more than a cluster of warungs and homestays tucked between the lush green hills and white beaches. Fast forward to 2023 and we arrived to find a sea of concrete, luxurious boho hotels, cafes selling soya lattes, and more surf camps than you could possibly need. A quick check at Google street view history later and it looks as though the whole place sorta’ sprouted like a magic mushroom out of the soil sometime around 2015.
Still, this most certainly IS NOT the Kuta of Bali. Yet. For now, Lombok’s main beach town remains a relatively chilled affair. Yes, there’s a steady stream of scooters and dusty 4X4s with surfboards stacks atop on the main crossroads, but the surrounding streets are still potholed to shit, the jungle still encroaches without warning, and there’s none of the Aussie bachelor parties to content with.
We also rate it as a fantastic place to base yourself for surfing in Indonesia. This is hardly on the frontier so scratch those dreams of lashing through turquoise barrels while bales of turtles gaze on from the corals. But the added infrastructure and the wealth of breaks to the east and west of the town make for the perfect balance of accessibility and surf quality, plus there’s a consistency that keeps the waves working both dry season and wet.
Our main worry is that Kuta Lombok will eventually go the way of Kuta Bali. New roads, a spanking new airport, and what looks like a gazillion new hotel projects in the work hardly bode well on that front. For now, though, this has to be one of the finest surf-camp destinations in Indo and Southeast Asia as a whole.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Indonesia
What’s in this guide to Kuta Lombok?
Where is Kuta Lombok?
Kuta Lombok is in the far south of the Indonesian island of Lombok. It sits in the eastern half of a huge bay that’s marked by a big rock stack at its middle and has the Indian Ocean rolling in to the south. The town is the terminus of Jalan Kuta Lombok, the main road that runs south from the new airport in Praya. Also known as Pantai Kuta, it’s a part of the West Nusa Tenggara province that also includes major surf destinations such as Sumbawa, the next island over to the east.
How to get to Kuta Lombok?
One of the reasons for the booming popularity of Kuta Lombok is how easy it’s gotten to reach the town. We remember having to ride a teeth-chattering mud track down from the Gili islands back in 2013. These days, there’s a wide, paved road the whole way in from Mataram, Lombok’s big capital. More than that, the years since 2013 have seen the island’s main airport move from Mataram to Praya, which is literally just up the street from Kuta itself.
Here’s a closer look at how to get to Kuta:
- Fly to Lombok International Airport and then transfer – There are more flights than ever going to Lombok International (LOP), including over 15 daily connections from neighboring Bali, which are only 40 minutes and a lot more comfortable than the boats. Once you arrive, don’t be shy of chatting to the taxi booths outside the main terminal. They aren’t the scam you might expect. We bagged a direct, air-con transfer to the door of our hotel in Kuta for just 150,000 IDR ($10). It takes 30-40 minutes.
- Boat and transfer – The longer way in relies on you already being in Bali. That’s likely because most of the regional Asian carriers go to Denpasar, not Lombok, and ALL long-haul heads to the Isle of the Gods. From there, you can take boats out of Sanur or Padang Bai going to Bangsal Harbor on the western side of Lombok. They cost around $25-35 per person and take two hours. From there, expect to pay a minimum of 400,000 IDR ($26) for a transfer to Kuta in the south, and probably 50,000-100,000 more if you’ve got a surfboard with you.
Surfing in Kuta Lombok
It’s hardly a secret that surfing is the number one draw in Kuta Lombok. The waves – the sheer wonderful, variety of waves – has singlehandedly placed this small fishing town on map. They’re the leading reason that it’s transformed from said small fishing town into the booming clutch of boutique lodges seen today.
Of all the Indonesian islands, Lombok is uniquely blessed with a good showing of spots all along its well-exposed south coast. They draw very regular swell all year round, so don’t have the fickleness of Bali’s east coast-west coast divide, where certain waves only work in certain months.
More than that, the shape of the coast here is uniquely suited for multi-skill groups of surfers. Big, open bays such as Ekas and Gerupuk have outer sections that stay big and overhead while inner sections are mellow and forgiving. It’s mainly reef breaks and rights dominate over lefts, but not always.
What’s important to know is that Kuta Lombok is the town at the heart of all this. The best breaks string around 8 miles to the east (towards Ekas) and 10 miles to the west (towards Selong Balanak and Serangan). You’ll need to travel out to those every day to surf them. Here’s how to do that…
How to get to the surf spots in Kuta Lombok
You have some choices for getting to the surf but we HIGHLY recommend booking onto a private surf camp. We go into more detail about why in our guide to the best surf camps in Lombok (which we also update every year, jus’ sayin!). For now, suffice to say that surf camp packages almost always include transport to and from the best breaks every day (and sometimes twice per day). That could involve just a minivan transfer, or minivan and boat transfers – boats are needed to access some of the better waves in the Lombok region (Ekas, Tanjung Aan, Air Guling). Oh, and don’t underestimate the value of insider knowledge that means you’ll usually be surfing the spot that’s working best in the prevailing swell.
Not sold on a camp? That’s okay. Lots of people do DIY surf trips here. Most will opt to rent their own scooter with a surfboard carrier tacked on the side. They are available all over town and cost about 100,000 IDR ($6) per day, sometimes less. (Word of warning: Be careful with scooter rentals – Kuta Lombok is known for its cowboy companies, and there are even rumors of some stealing vehicles off people they’ve rented to exhort loads of cash).
It’s also possible to contact the local surf schools and see if there’s a space available to tag along on their day outings. There’s usually a set rate for this and it’s often a lot less than if you were on the surf camp with board and lodging included. Finally, there are plenty of dedicated surf schools based in Kuta Lombok that offer transport, guided surf days, and even lessons. Rates vary but usually start at 500,000 IDR ($33) for a beginner sessions of between 2-4 hours.
The surf breaks in Kuta Lombok
As we’ve already mentioned, the surf spots around Kuta Lombok are spread along the bendy Lombok coastline to the east and west of town. There’s one spot in the center, which you can reach by paying a boatman 25,000 IDR on the main harborfront. They call it Main Point or Center Bay and it’s not all that good really. It’s a sloppy left hander on the outer reef in Kuta itself. We don’t like it because the water’s often really dirty.
The real money waves start around 10 minutes’ drive+ from Kuta Lombok town. We have detailed info about ALL of the surf breaks around Kuta Lombok in our guide to surfing in Lombok but here’s a quick glance at ones you should expect to have on the menu:
- Selong Belanak – THE total beginner break of choice, Selong Belanak is a mellow beach break on sand bottom.
- Air Guling – A big, jaw-dropping bay with a channel in its middle that separates a left and a right on either side. The left can hollow on big swells at low tide. The right is a performance wave that’s fast and hollowish.
- Seger – The best break accessible from Kuta Lombok town, this one’s a 15-minute drive around the headland along the really uneven streets beside the new racetrack. There’s a left and a right, with the former being the easier of the two.
- Pantai Aan – Tanjung Aan or Pantai Aan is one of the most popular surf spots in the Kuta Lombok region. It’s a mellow reef break on the inside of the bay with a left and a right. Usually packed.
- Gerupuk – There are a couple of spots inside Gerupuk Bay, some 15 minutes’ drive east of Kuta Lombok. The most popular upper-beginner wave is Inside, but it’s ridiculously busy these days. Outside is bigger and has multiple take-off points.
- Ekas – It’s a longer drive and a longer boat ride out to Ekas Bay to the east of town but it’s sometimes worth it because the inside break here is a nice left over deep reef that’s perfect if you’re coming up from sand. It’s also less busy than most breaks in the area.
What else to do in Kuta Lombok other than surfing
We’re a bit biased here but we’d probably question what the devil you’re doing in Kuta Lombok if you haven’t come to surf? It’s very much the raison d’être of the town. But there are a few other draws to fill in time between the sets. Check them out…
- Local beaches – You’ll notice that most of the places you surf at from Kuta Lombok are either reached or right by a stunning beach. There’s no reason you shouldn’t take a day or two to pay homage to the sands. Our favorite is probably Tanjung Aan, which is 15 minutes’ taxi from the town. If you have more time, consider traveling west to Serangan, which is a gorgeous bay of golden-tinged powder under mountains dressed in emerald rainforest. Wowzzza.
- Massage – There’s a bunch of great massage parlors in Kuta Lombok these days. Budget conscous travelers are sure to like Rainbow Spa Kuta. It doesn’t look the best but everyone who’s been tells us the treatments are of superior quality. Matcha Spa is more stylish and does fantastic packages but will cost more.
- Yoga – Mana Retreat leads the way on the yoga front in Kuta Lombok. It’s a gorgeous resort hidden in the backstreets, with a pool tucked away between its banana groves.
- Sunset point – On the main road going west to Are Guling from Kuta town, there’s a pull over that’s perfect for the sunset hour. You won’t be alone there but the crowd is good vibes only and. The sunset happens over the mountains to the west. Most people come with cold Bingtangs in tow.
Where to eat in Kuta Lombok?
From Neapolitan pizzas to artisan Chinese food and dim sum dumplings straight out of Hong Kong, Kuta is now brimming with food options. It’s just another symptom of the explosion in popularity of the place, made even more varied by the fact that lots of surfers have recently relocated here from Bali, where you can also dine on pretty much any cuisine under the sun.
Of course, it’s still possible to dine on authentic Indonesian food if you want a taste of something more local. Nasi goreng and campur abounds, from street stalls and traditional warung (family-owned Indonesian eateries that are often super cheap).
Here’s our pick of the best eating in Kuta Lombok right now…
- Mama’s Pizza – We’ve heard some people say that this is the best pizza in Asia. We have an experience from a certain joint in Galle, Sri Lanka, that says otherwise, but we gotta’ say the creations here are pretty darn excellent. It’s all fired in the oven out back and has the proper cushiony dough. There’s even a burrata option if you’re really missing your hit of gooey Euro cheese. (The brand has a second outlet up on the paradise isle of Gili Air).
- Jiang Nan Lombok – Epic. There’s no other word for it. Jiang Nan Lombok does refined but hearty Chinese food that you won’t forget in a hurry. We can vouch because we made a special 50-minute journey back to town JUST to eat here. Veggies will be well catered for with stir-fried pak choy and spinach dumplings.
- Cantina Mexicana – Satu Lagi – Leading the charge for the Mexicana kitchens in Kuta Lombok is lively Cantina Mexicana Satu Lagi. It’s a ramshackle, half-al-fresco joint on the main street that rocks with live music many nights of the week. Plates are small but authentic Mexican – think spicy tacos and refried beans with homemade nachos.
- Rocksalt Restaurant – One of the more refined dining spots in Kuta, Rocksalt does an eclectic menu of Indian and European dishes, including chickpea curries and Ceasar salad bowls. It’s a very nice spot to sit, with a cozy, stylish interior that’s cut-off from the hubbub of the main street outside.
- The Breakery – It should be compulsory to have a croissant or a cream puff at this bakery in the middle of Kuta’s main street. The coffee is also excellent.
Where to stay in Kuta Lombok
Picking a hotel in Kuta Lombok is a hard business. There are just so many to choose from and plenty with uber-good ratings. Thankfully, we’ve got a bit of a soft spot for a few and, twist our arm, we’ll offer them up as a recommendation to you here…
Alternatively, you can check our detailed guide to the top surf camps in Lombok right here.
- Porter Jungle Hotel ($$) – This is a pretty darn cool hotel. Set on a bluff about 20 minutes’ walk from the town center through chicken-stalked alleyways, it’s a blissful little retreat that’s Instagrammable from almost every angle. We spent a lovely night here prior to our last surf camp and found it the perfect place to chill post flight. They now do tailored surf packages too.
- KU Villas ($$$) – A series of boutique villas that are gorgeously done out in modernist styles, KU is a short walk from the main crossroads at the heart of Kuta. There are options with shared and private pools.
- Jivana Resort ($$-$$$) – More of a full-on resort experience, Jivana has spacious suites set in a lush tropical garden. The pool is seriously nice.
When to visit Kuta Lombok?
There are two clear seasons in Lombok, just as there are in nearby Bali. The wet season runs from November to March each year. And then the dry season goes from late-April to October. The latter is the most popular time to visit Kuta because you get more sunshine and less precipitation. However, the wet season isn’t ALWAYS wet. It can be, but we recently visited in January (2023) and had nothing but sunshine for seven days straight before a storm set in. You just gotta’ get lucky. The upside to the rainy season is that prices in hotels can be AMAZING – like $200 for a week reduced from $1,200 for a week sorta’ amazing!
For surfing, it really doesn’t matter what time of year you come here; wet season or dry season there tends to be swell. Anything with a bit of S in the compass (and that’s everything) will work. And don’t be fooled by the swell forecasts, either – we surfed outer reefs on days when it was reading less than 1 foot and there were fun makeable shoulders. A week later, storm swells pushed in and turned Air Gueling and others into low-tide barrel factories. Overall, the dry season brings bigger, stronger surf, while the wet season is generally better for learners and improvers.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
2 comments
Great article! Thinking about going to Kuta Lombok with my kids (14 and11) for some beginner surf in July. Does the town have a nice vibe in the evening? I will also be on Bali, but it seems Kuta, Seminyak , Canggu (the ‘beginner’ spots) are very crowded, hence considering Lombok!
Hey – great choice. Kuta Lombok is actually quite lively in the evening. We’d say it’s better suited to younger couples and solo travelers but there’s no reason families won’t enjoy if you don’t mind a bit of energy. We’d probably recommend looking to get a surf camp or a hotel that’s a bit out of the main town center so you can escape in the evenings if you want (the Porter Jungle Hotel we mention in the guide is probably a great option, 20 mins’ walking from the downtown).
We also might suggest staying in Selong Belanak. That’s the main beginner break in Kuta, the one you’ll probably travel to every day with the little ones to surf on. It’s a tiny town but has some nice hotels and the break is right out front. Serangan is just across (accessible by boat) if you wanted to surf something a little bigger. The vibe in Selong Belanak is very local, very chill (we have a guide here).