Lombok is a tropical island in Indonesia that resides right next door to Bali and it’s a popular island-hopping destination for travelers looking for new adventures in between or after visiting the neighboring Bali.
Having been to Lombok on several occasions, I have put together this guide of 15 Awesome Things To Do In Lombok which includes secluded beaches, spectacular waterfalls, and lush rainforests that surround Indonesia’s second-largest volcano, Mount Rinjani.
Also in this guide, I have included useful information on how to get to Lombok, where to stay in Lombok, getting around, and the best time to visit!
To make it easier for you to plan your trip, I have divided this Lombok guide into three regions:
- North Lombok
- Central Lombok
- South Lombok
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Table of Contents
HOW TO GET TO LOMBOK
OPTION 1:
The most popular route to get to Lombok is by fast boat from Padang Bai Harbour in East Bali and arriving at Bangsal Harbour in North Lombok.
There are numerous boat companies that operate daily from Bali to Lombok and you can book your ticket online in advance to guarantee the best price.
The boat ticket includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from the main city areas of Bali. The fast boat takes approximately 1.5 hours, stopping at Gili Trawangan Island and Gili Air Island before arriving at Bangsal Harbour in Lombok.
Get your ticket: Fast boat from Bali to Lombok
OPTION 2:
Flying to Lombok is another alternative that is affordable and very efficient. Flights from Bali to Lombok operate on a daily basis and the cost is approximately $20 one way.
The flight duration is a short 20-minutes arriving at Lombok Airport, located in the southern region.
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Boat to Lombok
GETTING AROUND LOMBOK
Lombok is quite easy to navigate your way around and it can be done on a self-guided tour. The best means of transport around the island, and like so many other Asian countries, is to rent a car, motorbike, or scooter.
The cost of a car is approximately $50 per day or you can do it much cheaper on a scooter for $5 a day.
These rental options are available when arriving at Bangsal Harbour or from the main city areas such as Kuta Lombok, Senggigi, and Mataram. Just look for a tourist center or any sign that reads car/scooter rental.
Exploring by scooter
15 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN LOMBOK
NORTH LOMBOK
MOUNT RINJANI VOLCANO HIKE
If hiking and exploring incredible landscapes is a hobby of yours then I highly recommend adding a 3-day hike to the summit of Mt Rinjani to your list of things to do in Lombok.
The trek begins in Senaru, a small mountainside village at the base of Indonesia’s second-largest active volcano, which is a whopping 3,726 meters high! It’s the main hub for anyone wishing to take the Rinjani Trekking challenge.
WHERE TO BOOK YOUR MOUNT RINJANI TREK
There are dozens of tour companies that can organize your Mount Rinjani Trek and their offices can be found in the main towns including Sengiggi, Mataram, Senaru, and Kuta Lombok.
If you arrive in Lombok by boat to Bangsal Harbour, you will most likely be approached by the locals trying to sell you one of their tour packages. So the option is there if you do decide to organize and book your trek upon arrival to Bangsal.
However, from my experience, the best option is to find your way to Senaru, which is the village where most people stay before and after trekking Mt Rinjani. In Senaru you will be able to negotiate a price with any of the tour companies in the village.
Alternatively, you can book online in advance to guarantee a fixed price for your Mt Rinjani Trek.
Conveniently for us, the owner of the Blue Mountain Cottage Homestay where we were staying helped us to organize a 3-day and 2-night trek to Mount Rinjani. After some haggling, we managed to get the price of the trek for a total of USD $100 per person. This is inclusive of porters, food, water, tents, a sleeping bag, and a guide.
Full Blog Post: Mount Rinjani Trek
Mount Rinjani Crater Rim
Mt Rinjani Trekking
Mt Rinjani Crater Rim
TIU KELEP WATERFALL
Tiu Kelep Waterfall is easily the most amazing waterfall I have ever laid my eyes on and it’s not to be missed! Tiu Kelep Waterfall is located in the mountainside village of Senaru, North Lombok.
There is a couple of river crossings no more than knee-deep and a muddy trail that leads through the jungle to the jaw-dropping sight of Air Terjun Tiu Kelep. There is no waterfall that I have seen that can compare to this.
The water flows out of the walls and into a crystal clear pool below. There is a strong vortex-like current directly beneath the main water flow at Tiu Kelep Waterfall so be careful not to get sucked in!
The rocks are super slippery, so please take care and watch your step.
Full Blog Post: Tiu Kelep Waterfall
Tiu Kelep Waterfall – Lombok Things To Do
Tiu Kelep – What To Do In Lombok
SENDANG GILE WATERFALL
Sendang Gile Waterfall is the first waterfall along the trail to Tiu Kelep Waterfall so you can’t miss it.
Sendang Gile is a two-tier cascading waterfall that spits out of the rock face high above. We were so early here that we only had to share this waterfall with the local monkeys!
You can go swimming in the rock pools and get right beneath the falls at Air Terjun Sendang Gile.
From here head back up the track and to the left and continue on to Tiu Kelep waterfall. It is a moderate 30-minute walk through the jungle and manageable without the use of a guide.
Full Blog Post: Sendang Gile Waterfall
Sendang Gile Waterfall
CENTRAL LOMBOK
BUKIT SELONG SUNRISE VIEWPOINT
The Bukit Selong sunrise location in the heart of Lombok is becoming a popular spot for travelers.
There are 2 viewpoints at Bukit Selong that overlook a blanket of crop fields – one is a dirt mound at a lower level and the other is further up the hill where you’ll see a handcrafted wooden star on bamboo stilts that makes for a great photo.
And just on the other side of the hill, there is a cool little tree-top boardwalk that leads out over the edge. Around every corner at Bukit Seling is a new epic landscape waiting to be discovered!
Full Blog Post: Bukit Selong Viewpoint
Bukit Selong Viewpoint
Bamboo treetop walk
Bukit Selong
BENANG STOKEL WATERFALL
Benang Stokel Waterfall is one of many waterfalls that can be found in the Central Lombok region.
When you arrive at the entrance to Benang Stokel Waterfall you will have to pay the entrance fee of around 30,000 IDR before you can continue to the trailhead to the falls.
To our surprise this wasn’t just one waterfall, in fact, there are several waterfalls on a 30-minute circuit trail through this valley in central Lombok.
The first waterfall Benang Stokel was my favorite. There are three sets of falls here that graciously flow into a shallow rock pool below. Take your pick on which falls to take a natural shower under!
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Benang Stokel
BENANG KELAMBU WATERFALL
Benang Kelambu Waterfall is located just a 15-minute walk further along the trail past Benang Stokel.
The unique curtain falls and Benang Kelambu Waterfall is unlike any other that I’ve seen and you’ll definitely want to add it to your list of places to see in Lombok.
Instead of flowing through stones, the water is flowing through plants out of the cliff walls. In fact, the word “Kelambu” means curtain, and the plants frame the waterfall just like a window and curtain.
Benang Kelambu Waterfall
SOUTH LOMBOK
BUKIT MERESE
Bukit Merese is one of the most popular spots on the island to explore the rolling grass hills, swim at deserted white sand beaches, and marvel at the amazing view overlooking Kuta Lombok.
If you have a set of wheels, it takes approximately 15 minutes to drive east to Bukit Merese from the main tourist town of Kuta Lombok.
There is a car park at the jump-off point to Bukit Merese and the parking fee is 5,000 IDR. If you like, you can buy beer, snacks, and water from one of the many mobile vendors in the car park.
The walk up to the Bukit Merese viewpoint takes around 5-minutes to where you will see the idyllic features of rolling grass hills and several small beaches and coves.
At the top, it’s a matter of picking your own headland to perch up and watch the sunset. The most popular viewpoint at Bukit Merese is where most of the crowd will be, standing around a dead tree on the edge of the cliff.
We decided to walk for a little longer to a headland that reaches right out over the ocean and we had a grassy patch on top of Bukit Merese Hill all to ourselves. The sky put on an incredible show for us displaying soft pinks and blues to the bright oranges and burning reds!
Full Blog Post: Bukit Merese
Bukit Merese Hill – Places To Visit In Lombok
Bukit Merese
Bukit Merese
SEGER BEACH
Seger Beach is only a 10-minute ride on a scooter from the center of Kuta Lombok town. Pantai Seger is a great spot for a swim and a cold coconut from one of the beachside warungs.
Seger Beach is a great spot to beach bum, go swimming in the cool waters, and marvel at tropical paradise surroundings.
See All → Homestays/Hotels/Resorts in Kuta Lombok
Kuta Lombok beaches
SEGER POINT
Just over the headland from Seger Beach, is a popular surf spot called Seger Point.
You can either ride your scooter around the hillside to Seger Point and pay a parking fee of 5,000 IDR or take a short walk up and over the hill through some cow paddocks and make your way down to Seger Point this way.
Straw huts line the water’s edge on this beautiful Kuta Lombok beach making it a perfect spot to perch up and gaze out over the ocean or paddle out on a surfboard to score some waves.
Seger Point – Photo: Home Sweet Home
TANJUNG AAN BEACH
After exploring Seger Point Beach, you can head east again on the bike for 2 minutes to where you’ll find a long stretch of white sand beach called Tanjung Aan.
Tanjung Aan Beach looks like something you would see on a postcard and it’s one of the most beautiful Kuta Lombok beaches worthy of checking out!
Tanjung Aan Beach – Photo: The Sunshine Seeker
GERUPUK BEACH
Further on from Tanjung Aan you can find Gerupuk Surf Beach, one of the most popular surf spots in Kuta Lombok.
The surf breaks are quite far out off the coast and you will have to organize a boat to take you out to surf these breaks at Gerupuk Beach. This can be easily organized through any of the friendly local surf guides at the harbor.
Gerupuk surf break – Photo: Mandalika Indonesia
PANTAI BILASAYAK & PANTAI TELUK UJUNG
Continuing on from Gerupuk you can find two more Kuta Lombok beaches called Pantai Bilasayak and Pantai Teluk Ujung.
Pantai Bilasayak is a 30-minute drive from Gerupuk or a 1-hour drive from Kuta Lombok. This spot was quite difficult to find though with the assistance of google maps you should have no dramas.
These two locations are well off the beaten track and definitely worth adding to your list of Kuta Lombok beaches to check out.
Pantai Bilasayak and Pantai Teluk Ujung are part of an environmental park and it wasn’t until we arrived that we found this out. The entrance fee is 100,000 Rupiah per person, but we arrived late afternoon and haggled the gatekeeper down to 100,000 Rupiah for the four of us.
To get to Pantai Bilasayak, take the dirt road to the left when you pass through the entrance gates, and follow it right to the end until you reach the ocean. This beach was deserted when we were there and a great spot for a swim on high tide.
See All → Homestays/Hotels/Resorts in Kuta Lombok
If you are seeking an adrenaline rush try to spot the “lookout tower” on top of the cliffs in the distance. To get to the tower, park your bike on the beach and trek for 10 mins along the rugged cliffs till you reach the tower.
It is very rusty and sketchy but if you are an adrenaline junkie like myself it is worth the climb. The view from the top is spectacular and overlooks more undiscovered Kuta Lombok beaches down the east coast.
Head back on the same dirt track towards the entrance and before exiting take the dirt road that leads to the left. This track leads down to Pantai Teluk Ujung, another deserted beach with rock pools and an awesome spot to watch the sunset.
Pantai Bilasayak Tower – Lombok Things To Do
Pantai Teluk Ujung
PANTAI TELAWAS
Pantai Telawas is a tucked-away paradise with several coves, blowholes, caves, and cliff jumps. We spent some time here in awe of the beauty that surrounded us.
Exploring Telawas Beach was one of the best adventures we had during our visit to south Lombok.
Pantai Telawas
PANTAI SEMETI BEACH
Within walking distance from Pantai Telawas is yet another secluded Kuta Lombok beach. Pantai Semeti Beach will blow you away with its crystal clear water and blinding white sand.
There were some small waves breaking over the reef here so we went for a body surf and then took some shade under the palm trees along the beach to get out of the scorching sun.
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Semeti Beach Kuta Lombok
MAWI BEACH
Last but not least on this ultimate guide of things to do in Lombok is Mawi Beach.
Mawi Beach is located on the other side of the headland from Pantai Semeti Beach and it’s one of my favorite Kuta Lombok beaches, especially being a surfer!
The waves here are as good as it gets when the conditions are right. The tropical beach vibes here at Mawi Beach are on point with small bamboo huts and surrounding coconut trees, you’ll surely be in for a treat.
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Mawi Beach
LOMBOK MAP
WHERE TO STAY IN KUTA LOMBOK
Kuta Lombok has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Novotel Resort & Villas
Novotel Resort is one of the best luxury accommodations overlooking white sands and turquoise waters. Featuring 3 swimming pools, a private beachfront, table tennis, darts, foosball, and 2 restaurants with bars. The rooms are modern and fitted with air conditioning, a large comfortable bed, spacious living, flat-screen tv, mini bar, private ensuite, and ocean views. Buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Great place to stay for couples, families, and friends!
Mid Range: Lavella Villas
Lavella Villas is the best value pick for couples, friends, and families with a central location near the best beaches in Kuta Lombok. Featuring a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, an outdoor terrace, nice gardens, a shared lounge, and free wifi. There are poolside bungalows and apartment rooms to choose from, each with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a fridge and kettle, a private bathroom, large comfortable beds, and pool views. A continental breakfast is also included.
Budget: Lara Homestay
The affordable pick for solo travelers, friends, and couples on a budget. Lare Homestay is centrally located in Kuta Lombok town and within walking distance to some of the best beaches. There is a shared kitchen, 24-hour front desk, free wifi, and massage services. Choose from a double room or a triple room to share with friends, each with air conditioning, modern interior, large comfortable beds, wardrobe, private bathroom, and seating area. Continental breakfast is also included for all guests!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN KUTA LOMBOK, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
AIRBNB LOMBOK
Another option for accommodation in Lombok is to stay in an Airbnb, which has some great deals!
Use the search box below to find all available Airbnb’s in Lombok.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT LOMBOK
The best time to visit Lombok for perfect weather and fewer tourists is between the months of April and October.
The rainy season in Lombok is typically from December through to February and this is also peak season for tourists arriving during the Christmas and New Years’ holiday season.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The currency in Lombok is Rupiah (IDR) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 14,000 IDR.
Purchasing a sim card for Lombopk is very cheap and simple. You can purchase an Indonesian SIM Card online in advance and pick it up at the airport when you arrive. For approximately $7 USD, you can get a local sim card that comes with 10GB of data with calls and texts included!
Buy Now → Bali SIM Card
BEST TOURS IN LOMBOK
BALI TRAVEL GUIDES
Nusa Penida Guide: 15 Things To Do In Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan Guide: 5 Things To Do In Lembongan
Nusa Ceningan Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan
Bali Travel Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary
Bali Waterfalls Guide: 7 Best Bali Waterfalls
Bali Beaches Guide: 11 Best Beaches In Uluwatu
LONELY PLANET LOMBOK
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Lombok Guide!
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JOIN MY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
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ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading this article and if you have any questions about Things To Do In Lombok, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Adventuring!
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Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
This is a fab guide! We live in Lombok and you have covered some great spots! We also recommend the Monkey Forest on Kuta beach, and exploring further West – Tampah beach, Selong, Serangan. Also there is an amazing island – Gili Kondo – on the East where you can camp and snorkel – totally deserted and stunning! Hope you can revisit some day 🙂
Hey guys! Glad you love the guide. I will be sure to visit these places you have listed to add to my blog on my next visit to Lombok!
Hey Jonny,
To visit the Tiu Kelep Waterfall, do I have to stay around Senaru village? I will be staying in Kuta, Lombok for 3 days. So I was thinking what if I can do a day trip?
Author
Yes, it is recommended to stay in Senaru Village for sure. Tiu Kelep is a 3-4 hour drive from Kuta Lombok. Enjoy 🙂
i m planning to stay near kuta lombok beach. I want to go to Tiu Kelep Waterfall.. Is it possible to rent a bike and drive till Tiu kelep Waterfall? What are other ways to visit these waterfalls from Kuta Lombok? Please help.
Author
Hello, Tiu Kelep waterfall is half a days drive from Kuta Lombok. It is possible to ride or take a taxi. I would recommend you stay in Senaru for a night if you plan to visit Tiu Kelep Waterfall. Enjoy!