Your Guide to the Best Surf Spots in Lombok
November 6, 2019
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Although only a stone’s throw away from Bali, Lombok is very different from the hustle and bustle of its big sister. Still free from mass tourism and over-development, it has that raw natural beauty that most of Bali’s coastline has unfortunately lost.
Don’t be mistaken, though: Lombok’s waves are considered of lower quality and intensity than Bali’s. After all, there can be only one Bukit Peninsula, with such an astounding concentration of gnarly reef breaks. But for beginners and intermediate surfers, Lombok truly is a paradise, with long and mellow waves that hardly get crowded.
Its long south-facing coast receives constant swell from the Indian Ocean and is dotted with sheltered coves, as well as exposed outer reefs. With the sport slowly gaining popularity on the island, more surf camps in Lombok are starting to emerge, taking surfers to the best waves of the day for their level.
With a few notable exceptions, the surf in Lombok is concentrated on the southern coast. Starting from Kuta, let’s have a look at the surf spots west and east of the island’s main surf hub:
Kuta Lombok
Image credit: Nalua Surf Camp
Recommended for: All levels
Kuta Lombok is often confused with Bali’s Kuta. But the two couldn’t be more different. To start with, Kuta Lombok is smaller, quieter, less developed, and has a more laid-back and authentic vibe.
» Want to find out more about the differences between Bali and Lombok? Read our article about surfing in Bali vs. Lombok and decide which one is for you!
Kuta Lombok has the most accommodation options for surfers and surf camps, which is why it’s a preferred base camp for exploring the south coast of the island. You’ll find waves at Kuta too, only not as popular as the ones in its vicinity. Of course, this makes it a great option if you’re looking for some empty line-ups.
The outside reef at Kuta Lombok is a long and clean right-hander. The inside has a few rights, but they are less consistent.
Kuta Lombok is a great place to learn to surf and to get the feel of the waves on the island before heading to the more famous spots like Ekas and Gerupuk.
>> Join a surf camp in Kuta Lombok.
The best conditions can be found during the wet season, between October and April.
Seger Reef
Image credit: Nalua Surf Camp
Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced surfers
The closest surf break to Kuta, located just east of town, is Seger. This fun and shifty right-hand reef break is located right in the open. Therefore, it’s very consistent, unless the wind is on.
Seger works during the wet season, between October and April, when it tends to get a bit crowded. It breaks with a smaller swell and needs a mid to high tide to cover the sharp reef below.
Are Guling
Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced surfers
Heading west of Kuta, Are Guling is the first surf spot you’ll come across. There are two waves at either side of the bay – a right and a left. Both are big and powerful and have fast peeling shoulders.
The right is considered one of the best on Lombok’s south coast. It barrels with a big swell, and can hold 2.5-3m (8-10ft) under perfect conditions. And the best thing about it is that it stays uncrowded even when epic. The left is quite unpredictable and typically short and hollow.
Surfing at Are Guling is at its best during the wet season, between October and April.
Mawi
Image credit: Mike Sutherland
Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced surfers
About 20-25 minutes west of Kuta, Mawi is one of Lombok’s most popular surf spots. This exposed reef break is home to a left and a shorter right-hander, both powerful and often barreling.
This is the most consistent wave in Lombok during the dry season, between April and October. It’s a swell magnet and works with both a small and a large swell. With a big swell, the left is more consistent. With a high tide, the waves are mellower and, thus, suitable for less experienced surfers. With a mid-tide, it throws some perfect barrels.
» Find out more about the surfing seasons, the vibes, where to go, what to eat, and how to budget your vacation with the help of our article about planning your surf trip to Lombok.
Selong Belanak
Recommended for: Beginners
Around 30 minutes west of Kuta, Selong Belanak is the best place to learn to surf in Lombok. This picturesque sheltered bay is home to a beach break with a sandy bottom and soft waves, just perfect for beginners to practice all the basic maneuvers in a safe environment, without any hazards.
Furthermore, it’s a very consistent break that works all year round, so any time is a good time to come here!
This long white-sand beach is also a popular tourist destination. Therefore, it can get crowded during the dry season. Luckily, there’s plenty of room in the water for surfers to spread out and feel comfortable.
Desert Point
Image credit: Mike Sutherland
Recommended for: Advanced surfers
On the tip of Lombok’s southwestern peninsula, a three-hour drive from Kuta, Desert Point is the most famous wave on the island. Also known as Bangko Bangko, it is challenging, scary, and with hazards galore. Powerful, hollow waves break over a sharp reef. If you don’t have enough experience under your belt, you might want to steer clear of this one.
Under the right conditions, Desert Point becomes the best left-hand barrel in the world, with over 20-second tube rides possible on one wave.
When it works, it gets crowded. In the nearby beach shacks, dedicated surfers sometimes wait for weeks to see it work. Frequent surf charters from Bali arrive here when it’s on.
It’s one of the most inconsistent and fickle world-class waves on the planet – it only works with a huge groundswell and a low tide. Your best chance of scoring waves at Desert Point is during the dry season, between May and October.
Senggigi
Image credit: Kubu Surf School
Recommended for: All levels
On the west coast of Lombok, Senggigi is a fickle reef break. But when it does work, it offers high-quality surf. The waves are long and the line-ups are relatively empty.
You’ll find both a right and a left here. The right has something for all levels, while the left is suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers.
The best time to go is during the dry season, between April and October. It works with a south or south-west swell and with plenty of tide.
Gerupuk
Image credit: Nalua Surf Camp
Recommended for: All levels
East of Kuta, the bay at Gerupuk is home to three main reef breaks offering something for all levels: Inside Gerupuk, Outside Gerupuk, and Don Don. To reach the waves, you need to take a boat from Gerupuk Village. Most of the local fishermen in the harbor will be more than happy to give you a ride.
Inside Gerupuk is one of the best beginner waves in Lombok. This forgiving right-hander is an excellent place to learn to surf and progress. Even though it’s a reef, the bottom is smooth, the take-off is easy, and the ride is mellow. Inside Gerupuk is a very consistent wave that can work all year round if there’s no wind.
Outside Gerupuk is Inside’s big brother, breaking on the outer reef. The waves are faster and more challenging, hollow and barreling over a sharp bottom, which is why it’s suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers. There are several peaks, making it easy for the crowds to spread.
Don Don is a beginner and intermediate break with an easy take-off followed by a long wall. It’s a fun A-frame wave that breaks in the middle of the bay over a deep reef bottom.
The best time to surf the breaks at Gerupuk is during the wet season. Inside Gerupuk works with any tide, while Outside and Don Don need a mid to high tide.
» Not sure what are the different parts of a wave and whether it’s a right, a left, or an A-frame? Read our article and find out how to read a wave.
Ekas Bay
Recommended for: All levels
The next bay east of Gerupuk is Ekas. Located in the East Lombok Regency, this tropical surf spot has two reef breaks: Inside Ekas and Outside Ekas.
If you’re new to surfing, Inside Ekas should definitely be on your bucket list. Accessible by boat, this sheltered A-frame break has an easy take-off followed by a long and mellow ride, just great for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Outside Ekas is a heavy, steep, fast, and hollow right-hander recommended for intermediate and advanced surfers. It attracts more swell than Inside.
Ekas is a very consistent surf spot, and the best conditions can be found during the dry season, between April and October. The Inside needs more swell to work and a mid-tide.
Sereweh
Recommended for: Advanced surfers
A lesser-known surf spot, Sereweh is located on the exposed south-eastern tip of Lombok. A long boat ride is required to access this right-hand reef break. It barrels with the right conditions, but it needs a small swell to work.
The best time to score some waves at Sereweh is during the wet season, especially between November and March. This is a very consistent wave. When the other surf spots in Lombok go flat, this is your best bet. If there’s no whitewash here, then surely nothing else is working on the island.
Morning is the best time to head out, as the winds tend to pick up later in the day and can ruin the waves.
Gili Trawangan
Image credit: Kubu Surf School
Recommended for: Intermediate and advanced surfers
The Gili Islands are a hidden gem off the north coast of Lombok with excellent diving, fishing, and surf. Unfortunately, the swells are very unreliable here.
Gili Trawangan is the largest and most developed of the Gili Islands. On its southwestern tip, there’s a fast-breaking right reef break with empty line-ups and friendly locals.
It’s a fickle wave, making it hard to time your trip. Your best bet would be the wet season, especially between January and June, when big SW swells usually hit the coast. With a smaller swell, Gili Trawangan becomes a beginner/intermediate wave.
*Cover image credit: Mike Sutherland
Looking to learn to surf in an uncrowded destination with laid-back vibes and plenty of mellow waves? Join a beginner surf camp in Lombok!