Surfer’s lost paradise, a ‘mini Bali’ from before tourism, the absolute opposite of Kuta Bali… Those are some of the nicknames given to Kuta, Lombok. But what’s the real identity of this small town which popularity is on the rise? That’s what you’re about to find out in this post. What to do in Kuta Lombok? Does surfing in Kuta Lombok live up to its reputation? Where to eat and go out in this town? By the end of your read, this won’t hold any secret for you.
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Kuta, Lombok: introduction + my general impressions
Before discovering Kuta, my feet had only touched Lombok‘s grounds once. And it’s fair to say that this one visit didn’t teach me much about the destination… I’d simply followed some friends to Desert Point, a spot that’s legendary in the surfing community but completely unknown to the average Joe. So it was with a lot of curiosity that I set off for the island’s number one tourist destination this summer.
I’ve often been told that Lombok is the ‘Bali before tourism‘. I can understand that there are similarities between these two islands which are, after all, neighbours… but I find the two destinations too singular each in their own way to reduce Lombok to such a comparison. Which is great, because coming to Lombok from Bali really expands your indonesian experience. I discovered landscapes, a climate (in summer: much hotter than Bali 🥵 ), a culture and an atmosphere that were almost unknown to me.
By the way, as far as the climate is concerned, this difference between Bali and Lombok can be explained by the presence of the Wallace Line, an ‘invisible frontier’ that separates flora and fauna – more info on that here if you’re interested.
As for the posts I read that describe Kuta Lombok as a “haven of peace”… This was certainly true in the past, but today there’s no denying that Kuta is becoming the new ‘hotspot’ for surfers (especially beginners like me, or kooks as the more experienced would say 😅). The main street is a rather surprising mishmash of hipster cafés, overpriced surf shops, Italian and Mexican restaurants, bars… And that’s without mentioning the scooters driven at top speed by Westerners dressed as if they were in Byron Bay.
This is in stark contrast to the local community, who goes to the mosque in modest clothes (a mosque, by the way, that’s located on that same main street), lives in pretty precarious conditions and welcomes this new population with a rather wary eye – at least that’s the impression I got as half a local who speaks Indonesian.
In short, I have a rather mixed opinion of Kuta Lombok itself BUT I must say that I fell in love with the surrounding area. We’ll come back to that in the articlen!
❤️ In conclusion, Kuta Lombok is worth visiting if :
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- you surf
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- you’ve had enough of the crowds in Bali
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- you’re looking for stunning, untouched nature
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- you’re not afraid to ride a bike (there’s no Grab in Lombok!)
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- you’re looking for a more authentic, local experience
What to do in Kuta Lombok
As you’ve gathered from my introduction, Kuta itself isn’t the most attractive place. There’s certainly a traditional market and a more ‘touristy’ one (south of the town, near the beach) where you can put your bargaining skills to the test and pick up some nice souvenirs. Kuta Lombok’s beach is a modest local spot that holds little appeal for visitors, and wearing a bikini there might feel out of place given the local customs.
So let’s get straight to the point by exploring the best things to do around Kuta Lombok. Starting with :
Surfing in Kuta Lombok
Surfing is the main reason why more and more tourists come to Kuta Lombok ! Here’s why:
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- there’s a vast choice of spots for all levels
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- there are generally fewer people on the lineup than in Bali
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- there are many options for beginners here, with relatively small, consistent waves
As a beginner surfer (I only started learning last year when I moved to Uluwatu, more information on that in this article) and as I didn’t know the spots, I decided to take on an instructor. I chose Rin from the Jedi Surf school in Gerupuk (photo with me above hihi) who turned out to be incredible. Reassuring, friendly, very professional and an excellent surfer – the whole package. By far the best instructor I’ve ever had.
We went to the Don Don and Gerupuk inside right and, although I’m a goofy and I had never surfed backside before, thanks to Rin’s advice I caught some pretty nice waves !
Here’s a short list of the main surf spots around Kuta Lombok:
- Gerupuk Inside – Level: Beginner / Intermediate . Relatively gentle waves with easy access, perfect for learning.
- Gerupuk Outside – Level: Intermediate. More powerful and faster waves, requiring some experience.
- Kid’s point – A paradise for absolute beginners!
- Mawi – Level: Intermediate / Advanced. Hollow, powerful waves with fast sections, ideal for experienced surfers.
- Tanjung Aan – Level: Beginner / Intermediate. Accessible waves, ideal for progressing in a stunning setting. Bear in mind, however, that this is the most popular spot in the region and there are often crowds (I was hit head-on by a beginner here…).
- Ekas Bay Outside – Level: Advanced. Bigger, more powerful waves, ideal for experienced surfers.
- Are Guling – Level: Intermediate/Advanced Fast, powerful waves with hollow sections, for experienced surfers.
Keep in minde that most of the surf spots around Kuta Lombok are only accessible by boat, unless you have a really strong paddle 💪 A trip on a fisherman’s boat costs between 50,000 and 150,000 rupiah.
Want to take a surf lesson in Kuta Lombok?
You can contact Rin, the instructor I got via the Jedi Surf Instagram page or book your 2h beginner lesson here :
=> If you’re interested in surfing, check out my article“Where to surf in Bali as a beginner“!
Explore the surroundings on a scooter
If you’re not into surfing, don’t go just yet! South Lombok and the area around Kuta are full of little treasures just waiting to be discovered. With its roads in excellent condition compared to those in Bali, the area is perfect to ride your scooter. Among the places to visit in Kuta Lombok :
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- For a touch of culture: the traditional villages of Sade and Rambitan, where you can discover all the ins and outs of Sasak culture, Lombok’s ethnic group. If you prefer going with a guide, I’ve found this fully-organised excursion for you.
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- For a really great viewpoint to catch the sunset: Bukit Merese, a pretty hill overlooking the town and the sea just 15 minutes from Kuta. I’d also recommend going to Ryan Café for a drink to take in the views.
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- For those wondering where to swim in Kuta Lombok (nope, these beaches aren’t just for surfers 😛 ): head to Selong Belanak, Tanjung Aan or Mawun. Ideal for relaxing in an out-of-this-world panorama… I also fell in love with Mawi, a real hidden treasure where we spent hours disconnected from everything. Be careful with this one, as access is really difficult.
Are these the most beautiful beaches in Kuta Lombok ? I wouldn’t want to get ahead of myself, but in my heart they’ve clearly taken a special place 😌
looking for drivers for day trips ?
If you’re not comfortable on a bike, you can always book a day trip with a driver! You’ll find plenty of those on websites like this one :
Scuba diving in Kuta Lombok
I’ll be transparent with you: I haven’t tried scuba diving in Lombok. However, as a fan of this sport I couldn’t help noticing there are many diving centres in town! After asking around, I learnt that the waters of Kuta Lombok offer a rich marine biodiversity, colourful coral reefs and the chance to spot rays, turtles and – brace yourself – even sharks. A great alternative for non-surfers, then 😉
The most popular dive sites around Kuta include Gerupuk, Belongas Bay and the islands of Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis and Gili Sudak, west of Lembar.
If you’re interested in this activity, I recommend that you go and find out more directly from one of the diving centres located on Kuta’s main street (check out Blue Marlin Dive and Adventure Divers).
Where to stay in Kuta Lombok?
Here’s a small selection of hotels in Kuta Lombok to suit all budgets:
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- Mengalung bungalow (€) – the guesthouse where I stayed with a friend. Quiet, lovely staff, great value for money. The big plus: it’s located away from the noise of the traffic… and the mosque!
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- Rascals Hotel (€€) – sublime surroundings close to the main street
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- Jati Kuta Lombok (€€€) – a charming boutique hotel in beautiful surroundings, close to the centre of Kuta.
👉 For even more options, take a look at this list of the best hotels in Kuta Lombok.
Where to eat and go out in Kuta Lombok?
There’s a wide choice of restaurants in Kuta Lombok, but as usual I’d recommend supporting the small local businesses where the food is generally much better – and cheaper! Some of my favourite warungs in Kuta Lombok:
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- Cheap Zone (take your pick of fresh fish straight from the stall!)
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- Warung Bu De (my favourite, it’s so tasty and the prices/flavours remain local despite the foreign clientele!)
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- Warung Makan Sederhana
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- Rocco Warung
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- For a western option that I really liked too: Pizza shack, near the beach, which serves great pizzas in a really cool, lively atmosphere.
Despite its small size, Kuta is a popular tourist destination. So you won’t have too much trouble finding places to go out in Kuta Lombok! For some cheap pre-drinks in a local atmosphere, try the Macaroni Bar near the beach. Then head to the Rasta Bar Reborn or Surfer’s Cafe to end the night 😉
How to get to Kuta Lombok?
Kuta is located 30 minutes from Lombok international airport and a short hour away from Lembar’s harbour. There are several ways to get to Kuta Lombok from Bali:
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- The one I’d recommend because it’s not only much cheaper but also more suitable for those who get seasick: take the ferry from Padangbai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok). Ferries leave almost every hour (and at night too) and the journey takes around 5 hours. Tickets can be bought on the spot. A single ticket costs 75,000 rupiah / person, the equivalent of €4, and 180,000 rupiah if you take your scooter. Bear in mind, though, that local transport means inaccurate timetables! Don’t be in a hurry if you choose this option.
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- You can also take a fast boat from Padangbai, which takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach the main island of Lombok, first passing through the Gili Islands. A more expensive option (around €40) but certainly quicker, although it’s important to note that the fast boat takes you to Bangsal, in the north of Lombok, whereas Kuta is in the south. Also worth noting: you’re likely to be jolted from side to side, so avoid this option if you easily get seasick.
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wanna book your fast boat now ?
Book your fast boat tickets now to travel with peace of mind:
And that’s it for this post on the best things to do in Kuta Lombok! If you’ve been there, what’s your opinion of Kuta Lombok? Share it in the comments below!
