Indonesia
Best Time to Surf
May to Aug
Wave Types
Skill Levels
Surfing Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok surf is just as consistent as Bali but less busy and more accessible to the intermediate surfer, with a variety of points, reefs, and beach breaks on the menu, not to mention majestic Desert Point.
Lombok's breaks come in a whole variety of shapes and sizes, from peaky beach breaks for beginners (Selong Belanak) to hardcore barrels for the pros (Desert Point/Bangko-Bangko). Bali has world-famous pumping lefts that are crowd magnets, while Lombok's breaks are far less busy much of the time.
Kuta Lombok (no relation to Kuta Bali) is the epicenter of the surf scene. The town has transformed in recent years thanks to the opening of a nearby international airport, providing access to all breaks on the south coast.
Gerupuk Bay offers several quality reef breaks: Inside (best of the lot, consistent, all levels), Don Don (mushy for improvers), and Outside (big shifty rights). All accessed by boat from the village.
The payoff for traveling here? Hardly another soul in the lineup if you're lucky, along with a chance to score what's sometimes hailed as the finest wave on the planet at Desert Point.
Surf Culture in Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok offers a distinct experience from Bali with less development and authentic character.
Kuta Lombok:
- Burgeoning town filled with surf camps
- Recently transformed thanks to new airport
- Good infrastructure for surfers
The surf scene:
- Gerupuk: Favored stomping ground for surf schools from Kuta
- Desert Point: Dedicated barrel-seekers camp out to catch it when it works
- Selong Belanak: Best beginner wave on Lombok, nice vibe in the water
Beyond surfing:
- Mount Rinjani: Indonesia's second-highest volcano
- Gili Islands: Just off the northwest coast
- Belongas Bay: Remote, beautiful, rarely crowded
Best Surf Spots in Lombok, Indonesia
Desert Point
Expert onlyOne of the longest, most mechanical lefts on the planet. When it's on, Desert Point offers barrel after barrel for 200+ meters, but it needs a solid swell and perfect conditions to break properly. Worth the wait.
Gerupuk
All levelsA bay full of surf spots, from mellow inside breaks to more powerful outside reefs. The area has become Lombok's surf hub, with waves for every skill level and boat trips to access the best peaks.
Kuta Lombok
Beginner to intermediateNot to be confused with Bali's Kuta, this is a sleepy fishing village turned surf town. Several beach breaks around the bay offer consistent waves, particularly good for learning and longboarding.
Lombok Surf Conditions
Weather
Lombok shares Bali's tropical climate with the Indian Ocean providing consistent swell.
Dry Season (May-August):
- S-SW swells power through from the Indian Ocean
- Offshore winds on south-facing breaks
- Peak season for Desert Point and all south coast spots
- Clear skies, comfortable humidity
Year-round:
- Lombok gets good exposure to the swell channels that power through the Indian Ocean
- The south coast is beset by big rocky mountains and reefs that create variety of waves
Wet Season:
- Wet season offshores from the north can help some spots (Belongas Bay)
- Less consistent but still surfable
Water Conditions
Tropical water temperatures year-round.
Water temperature: 27-29°C, boardshorts only needed
Gerupuk Bay access:
- All breaks accessed by boat
- Boat station opposite Banyu Surf shop in Gerupuk village
- Plenty of boat drivers waiting
Hazards:
- Desert Point: Expert only, shallow platforms of jagged reef, bone-breaking power in the barrel
- Desert Point works only for short window around low tide
- Selong Belanak: Crystal clear water, safe sandy bottom
How to Get to Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok is easily accessible from Bali or direct from several Asian hubs.
By Air:
- Lombok International Airport has short-haul connections from across Southeast Asia
- Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bali
- No longer necessary to go via Bali or Jakarta
By Boat from Bali:
- Boats run regularly from Padangbai (to Senggigi area) and Benoa Marina
- Most boats go to Teluk Kodek Port (Bangsal) on the northwest coast
- About 2 hours by taxi from Bangsal to Kuta Lombok
Getting to Desert Point:
- Located on extreme southwestern edge of Lombok
- 30 miles from the airport, 30 miles from Kuta Lombok
- Only way to get there is to drive
- Dirt track for the last couple of kilometers
Tip: Pre-book transfers before arrival. The ferry arrival area can be chaotic with hassling drivers.
Surf Camps in Lombok
Surf Camps
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More Surf Regions in Indonesia
- Bali – Indonesia's surf capital, Uluwatu and beyond
- Mentawais – World-class reef perfection, boat charters and land camps
- Sumatra – Frontier surfing, Krui region's unexplored potential
- Java – G-Land's jungle barrels, Batu Karas for beginners