Lombok Island in Indonesia surprised us. While exploring it, we wondered why so many tourists pass it by!
Honestly, it is such an easy and cheap destination to visit after your holiday in Bali; we do not understand why tourists still mainly undiscovered this island.
Not that we mind, as that was one of the things we loved about Lombok: the quiet, raw, wild island with its truly diverse landscape!
There are so many beautiful things to do in Lombok and incredible places to discover!
People there are on slow mode—except for when they are driving, maybe (which can be a little crazy)—so take your time as you check out all our suggestions of what to do in Lombok Island.
The Absolute Best Things to Do in Lombok Island, Indonesia!
It’s pretty easy to get from Bali to Lombok Island. You have the option of either taking a quick 30-minute flight or hopping on a fast boat ferry.
Once you arrive in Lombok, hiring a scooter to explore at your own pace is best.
We have grouped the activities and stops around two main locations in Lombok, Kuta and Senggigi. Let’s first look at the destinations and activities around Kuta.
The Top Things to Do in Kuta, Lombok
The best way to explore the Kuta, Lombok region is, of course, by scooter.
You will see loads of people buzzing around with scooters and surfboards, heading back and forth to some of the most beautiful beaches you might ever see.
We loved exploring this region and thought it was Lombok’s best area to explore with your kids.
And to add another note, the beaches here are much more beautiful than those in Bali! The colors of the water? All I can say is WOW!
1. Selong Belanak Beach (the Best Beach in Lombok) and Laut Biru Cafe Lombok
I reckon that Selong Belanak Beach is, without a doubt, the best beach in Lombok.
We were blown away by the colors of the water and the hilly landscape surrounding the edges of this fantastic mile-long beach.
The beach has a peaceful vibe to it, with shallow, calm ocean water for the kids to play in.
When I return to Lombok, this is definitely where I will base myself, at Sempiak Villas.
At this beach, you will also find a perfect cafe for lunch. The Laut Biru Cafe is on the ocean sand, with gorgeous decor and delicious food (try the Butter Chicken with Naan!).
2. Mawun Beach
Another glorious, stunning beach is the Mawun Beach! This beach is another great beach to swim at.
It’s very similar to Selong Belanak Beach but heaps smaller in size. Here, you will find more local activity and maybe a few kids trying to sell you fresh coconut or handmade bracelets.
Remember, if you use furniture, chairs, or loungers on the beach in Indonesia, someone will come around and charge you for them. Fortunately, they are pretty cheap to hire!
3. Ashtari Restaurant & Lounge
Ashtari is a pretty popular stopping point for travelers. Their atmosphere and views are hard to beat.
It’s a great place for some mid-afternoon snacks and drinks. The breeze was heaven as well.
Do make sure you pop in to Ashtari, I bet you will enjoy your time relaxing there!
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4. Kuta Beach, Lombok
Kuta Beach in Lombok is way better than Kuta Beach in Bali.
However, it is probably my least favorite beach out of all the beaches that line the coast.
It is worth stopping, walking, and enjoying the atmosphere, but I wouldn’t base myself here on this beach for the entire day!
Of course, the main streets in Kuta, close to the beach, are lined with market stalls for tourists, and you will find loads of cafes and wood-fired pizza cafes there, too.
5. Tanjung A’an Bay
Tanjung A’an Bay is another stunner! We loved the grass-topped beach-style pagodas, and of course, our kids totally enjoyed the swing located on the beach as well!
It is another great beach area for swimming and chilling out. On our visit, there were literally about 6 other tourists there.
The rest of the people were locals trying to make a living by selling their wares to us, such as handmade sarongs, bracelets, etc.
We didn’t stay here very long, but it was great to walk around the beach!
6. Seger Beach
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Seger Beach is probably the most unique beach out of all the beaches around this side of Lombok.
The beach here is not really for swimming, but it is a perfect spot to visit in the late afternoon.
We climbed up the hill closest to the beach, and the views blew us away!
So either base yourself here for the beautiful sunset views or if, like us, you have small kids, why not venture over to Kuta Cabana for some sunset views from a further distance?
7. Kuta Cabana for Sunset
Kuta Cabana is set back behind Kuta up in the hills. It makes for a great stop at the end of a busy day, where you can grab a cocktail and watch the sunset with some cool breezes blowing through your hair.
We also ordered some food here for dinner. It was a peaceful spot to rest after a busy day of exploring!
8. Pink Beach (Tangsi Beach), Lombok
If you are keen to go on a day trip from Kuta, you might also like to visit the beautiful Pink Beach (also known as Tangsi Beach) in Lombok.
If you hire a scooter, this trip will take you around 2 hours one way. However, be aware that the road for the last 30 minutes or so is pretty rough, and many people mention how hard it is to get to the beach itself as a result!
The sand on this beach is white, but it has a pink hue due to some tiny pieces of bright red coral skeletons of Organ Pipe corals.
The hue is pretty subtle, unlike the saturated colors found all over the web! Despite this, it is still incredibly beautiful to see and worth the trip if you happen to have time!
What to Do On the Drive from Kuta to Senggigi or Vice Versa
On the drive from Kuta to Senggigi (around 1.5 hours), you can stop over in the traditional Sasak Village called Sade in Rambitan.
Although the village has a very touristy feel, it still makes for a very interesting and brief stop!
The Sasak are the indigenous people of this island, and here at Sade, you can get some insight into their fascinating culture!
The village is still inhabited by Sasak people. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a tour guide who will take you through the village and share some insight into the culture!
The tour only lasted 10-15 minutes, and while we enjoyed it, we felt like it was rushed!
My favorite part of the tour was being allowed into one of the Sasak Village houses. The house is dark! The men sleep on the first level, while the ladies all sleep on the second level; you will also find the kitchen there.
It was all fascinating to see!
The Top Things to Do in Senggigi, Lombok
Senggigi is the most popular destination for tourists traveling to Lombok. Most tourists come here because you can pick and choose from a large variety of luxurious resorts and villas.
There is also a selection of fantastic things to do in Senggigi for when you feel like exploring.
1. Head over from Senggigi to Gili Islands
Of course, the popular Gili Islands are easily accessed from this side of Lombok Island.
Within only a short taxi ride to Bangsal Harbour and a quick speedboat trip of only around 20 min, you will find yourself in a different world!
As a note, I highly recommend that you stay at Gili Islands for at least three nights; a day trip over will likely not be enough.
2. Join a Tour to Mount Rinjani and Crater Lake
Most people venture out to Lombok because they would like to climb the second-highest volcano in Indonesia.
It happens to be one of the island’s highlights, and I think you will understand why once you see the views from the rim of the volcano!
You can book various multi-day, guided tours to the Crater Lake. If you would like to experience a 3-Day Mt Rinjani Volcano Trekking Tour from Lombok, click here or alternatively why not try out the 2-Day Mt Rinjani Volcano Trekking Tour from Lombok version instead!
3. Day Trip to Explore Tiu Kelep or Sendang Gile Waterfalls
Why not organize a day trip up into the Northern regions of Lombok?
There, you can visit two incredible waterfalls (amongst others) – Tiu Kelep Waterfall and Sendang Gile Waterfall.
These two waterfalls are close to each other, and while both are very different from the next, they make a great day out in nature!
Be prepared to get a bit wet, and make sure you have shoes that you can walk in. But don’t forget to take your swimmers so you can venture into the icy cold waterfall water!
If you would like to experience these and more on an organised day trip tour, we highly recommend you look into this Viator Northern Lombok Day Tour.
Final Thoughts on What to Do On Lombok Island
We loved our adventure through this island, and with so many options for what to do in Lombok, we highly recommend that you stay and visit this gorgeous place for a while.
We wish to return and wish to stay for longer. I want to slow down to the Lombok pace, hang out with the buffalos and the locals, and explore more of this fascinating island.
There is so much to see here and so many unique and diverse landscapes to explore!
The locals are friendly, and the kids are adorable!
The beaches are mind-blowing, and the waterfalls are impressive in their own right!
So take your time, explore each of the ‘best things to do in Lombok’ items individually, but make sure you also have days to do simply and totally ‘nothing at all’!
Hi Jolene
Thanks for your post, sounds like you had a great trip. We are heading to lombok next year with our 4 and 6 year olds, and are thinking about staying in Kuta or south Lombok somewhere (as well as 5 days on Gili Air). Just wondering how easy you found it getting around the south Lombok area? We have been advised to hire scooters, but I’m not too sure about that with our two little ones. Did you hire a car and drive, or did you hire a car and driver? Thanks! Kara
Hi Kara, there are loads of drivers that you can hire. They aren’t taxi’s but the hotel you stay at will have a few people who they can buzz to take you around. We mostly just hired a driver for the whole day to take us around. Do bargain the price a bit. You could possibly take a kid each on a scooter, the roads in Kuta weren’t busy and it seemed manageable. But you would need a driver to take you from Kuta to Senggigi to get to Gili as it is a bit of a trip and there will be sections with heavy traffic there!
Lombok does have its own impression because the island is very beautiful and I am happy to be here. In addition, Bali is really beautiful as well.
Thanks for your great post! Just arrived in Kuta after travelling for some months and were wondering what to do first (tomorrow). Having naan and butter chicken at Selong Belanak Beach and take some photographs it will be!
We dont have children, but love your website.
Lovely, do enjoy the beach Simone! When we return to Lombok, I want to stay at Selong Belanak Beach 🙂
Lombok is one of the greatest places in Indonesia, a big island full of nature and not so crowded as the Gilis.