One island east of Bali, Lombok is nicknamed Bali’s little sister. It’s an interesting comparison—if you strip away all of Bali’s crowds and overdevelopment, the nature and topography of the islands are similar with mountains, volcanic highlands, rice paddies, jungles and beaches.
I was born and raised in Lombok, and although people have been coming here for a long time, I’ve noticed how the outdoor adventure scene has really taken off over the past decade.
With 385 miles of coastline, Lombok is a dream destination for those seeking a relaxing beach holiday. Think laid-back stretches of white sand lined with lush green palm trees and traditional fishing boats. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay put on your sun lounger, but there’s a whole underwater world that is well worth exploring here.
Most of the time you can just snorkel off the beach, but there are a few spots in the east of Lombok that are further from shore and require a boat trip. This is a fun adventure in itself and one of my favourite things to do: island hopping between remote, empty stretches of sand and dazzling coral reefs.
To really maximise your underwater experience, I recommend going a little deeper with scuba diving. It’s a really popular activity here, with plenty of dive centres to choose from. You’ll find these are mainly concentrated on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, two of the three Gili Islands, which are famous for their stunning beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
The islands are a great spot to learn to dive, but if you already have a few dives under your belt, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: you’ll have a much better time diving in the quieter areas of the Southern Gilis, or around Pink Beach in east Lombok. Not only are there fewer visitors, but the corals are far healthier and have much more diversity in marine life.
This is all thanks to Lombok’s location within the Coral Triangle, a marine region that is home to over 76% of the world’s coral species and 37% of reef fish species. Whenever I dive, it’s not uncommon to see multiple reef sharks, turtles, rays, huge schools of fish and plenty of vibrant, healthy coral.
It’s no secret that above the surface, perfect swells make Lombok one of Indonesia’s favourite surfing destinations. First-timers do well learning in the smaller waves in spots like Senggigi and Mangsit along the west coast, where there are a selection of surf schools. But for the really good stuff, head down to the south coast.
Out of the entirety of the Lombok coastline, the south coast is particularly spectacular. Made up of dramatic cliffs and sweeping white-sand bays, this part of the island is still relatively untouched by tourism (with the exception of the town of Kuta and its immediate surroundings).
Exposed to the Indian Ocean, some of the breaks here are considered world-class, attracting travellers from all around the world who come specifically for the surf.
Popular spots include Ekas, Gerupuk, Mawi and Desert Point. Meanwhile, Kuta has tons of surf schools and rental shops, and surrounding beaches like Tanjung Aan and Selong Belanak are a favourite for learners thanks to their gentle waves and sandy bottoms (and where apres-surf involves fresh coconut, grilled seafood and loungers on the sand).
Away from the coast, Lombok’s main attraction is the mighty Mount Rinjani, which towers over the north of the island and dominates the skyline wherever you are on the island. At 12,224ft high, it’s Indonesia’s second-tallest volcano and is still very much active, providing an exciting challenge for adventure seekers.
In its entirety, the trek involves hiking up the crater rim, up to the summit, down to the crater lake and then back up the other side of the crater rim—a multi-day hike that usually takes between two and four days. Trails pass through a one-of-a-kind mix of tropical rainforest, temperate forest and savannah.
It’s a tough climb that many consider to be harder than the journey to Everest Base Camp—but the views from along the way are hugely rewarding, with magnificent panoramas of the whole of Lombok as well as the neighbouring islands of the Gilis, Bali and Sumbawa.
As someone who grew up in Lombok, I can’t recommend it enough as an outdoor destination. There’s so much on offer here—visitors can hike into the jungle one day and dive below the waves the next. I love the balance: you can be as active or as languid as you like; for every mountain trail, there’s a beach to kick back on.
Need to know: Lombok
Getting there: Fly from the UK to Singapore or Malaysia, then take a connecting flight to Lombok International Airport with Scoot, AirAsia or Batik Air. Alternatively, fly into Jakarta or Bali and take a domestic flight to Lombok. There are several carriers that fly this route, but the most reliable are Garuda, Citilink and Pelita.
Getting around: Public transport is scarce, and the best way to get around the island is to hire a car or scooter. In the cities and urban areas, you can also get around via taxi or ride apps like Grab and Gojek.
Best time to go: The dry season (May to September) is the best time to visit, with sunny days and low humidity levels.
Where to eat: Don’t miss Begibung Restaurant (Instagram: @begibung_beach_resto) for local Lombok and Indonesian dishes, right on Batubolong Beach. If you’re spending time in the south of Lombok, Kuta is the island’s foodie hub, with a huge selection of cafés and restaurants serving Indonesian and international cuisine.
Where to stay: On the west coast, Qunci Villas (quncivillas.com) offers a range of sea view rooms and pool villas on a quiet beach. On the south coast, Sikara Lombok Hotel (sikaralombokhotel.com) is tucked away in a tropical garden setting, but just a couple of minutes walk to the centre of Kuta.
Further information: indonesia.travel
