Best Surf Spots in Lombok: Complete Guide for Every Skill Level

A Coastline Built for Surfing

Lombok's south coast reads like a surfer's wish list. The shoreline juts and angles into a maze of bays, points, and reef setups that catch swell from multiple directions. Each notch holds a different wave – different character, different challenge, different reason to paddle out. Kuta Lombok serves as the perfect base for exploring them all.

While neighboring Bali has transformed into a crowded surf tourism hub, Lombok retains something of the Indonesia that existed decades ago. The lineups stay manageable, the waves remain uncrowded by regional standards, and the variety of breaks within easy reach rivals anywhere in the archipelago.

Whether you're looking for beginner surf lessons or challenging reef breaks, Lombok has a wave for you.

Gerupuk Bay: Five Waves in One Location

Ten kilometers east of Kuta, the fishing village of Gerupuk has become Lombok's surfing epicenter. The bay holds five distinct breaks, all accessible by short boat rides from the beach.

Don Don serves as the perfect warm-up wave – a mellow right-hander that peels slowly across a reef shelf, offering long rides and forgiving shoulders. Local kids grow up on this wave, and their casual skill demonstrates what years on these waters produce.

Inside Right steps up the intensity with faster, more powerful walls. The takeoff demands better positioning, but the reward is excellent surfaces for practicing turns.

Outside Right saves the heavy artillery for larger swells. When conditions align, this break delivers legitimate power – overhead walls with occasional barrel sections that demand respect and reward commitment.

Kid's Point provides the gentlest option, perfect for absolute beginners or exhausted intermediates seeking mellow waves.

Batu Payung (The Left) balances the bay's right-hand dominance with fast, hollow waves that barrel when swell and tide cooperate.

The boat system makes Gerupuk unique. For 150,000-200,000 rupiah, captains ferry surfers between breaks as conditions change throughout the day. Consider booking a surf guide to maximize your Gerupuk experience.

Beaches for Beginners and Intermediates

Selong Belanak remains the gold standard for learning. This crescent bay stretches nearly two kilometers, its white sand sloping gradually into water that rarely intimidates. The inside section works reliably for beginners even when the outer reef handles larger swells.

Mawun Beach hides in a protected cove fifteen minutes west of Kuta. Smaller swells and fewer crowds create ideal conditions for nervous first-timers or anyone seeking solitude over size. Perfect for your first surf lesson.

Are Guling east of Kuta delivers punchy reef break waves with a local atmosphere. The spot picks up more swell than expected and hosts fewer visitors than the famous breaks. Check surfboard rentals if you want to explore independently.

Tanjung Aan catches different swell directions than west-facing beaches, often providing options when other spots go flat. The beach itself is stunning – worth visiting even on flat days.

Advanced Breaks for Experienced Surfers

Desert Point (Bangko-Bangko) produces one of the world's longest, most perfect left-hand barrels. Located three hours from Kuta on increasingly rough roads, this wave rewards the committed with rides that can exceed 200 meters. The wave only works when significant southwest swell combines with southeast winds and mid-tide conditions – perhaps thirty days per year. But when everything aligns, Desert Point enters the conversation for best wave on earth.

Ekas Bay opens toward the southeast on Lombok's opposite coast, catching swells that miss the south-facing breaks entirely. Inside Ekas offers playful walls; Outside Ekas delivers more serious reef break surfing. The hour-plus drive from Kuta filters for dedication, keeping crowds minimal.

Seger Reef breaks fast and hollow over a sharp shelf, creating barrel sections that challenge intermediate-to-advanced surfers seeking to test their tube-riding.

Seasonal Considerations

Dry Season (April-October) brings consistent south-southwest groundswells, reliable offshore winds, and the conditions that light up the south coast. Desert Point activates during these months. Crowds peak in July and August but remain manageable by Bali standards. Read our complete seasonal guide for more details.

Wet Season (November-March) delivers smaller, more variable swells. Beginners often prefer these months for gentler conditions. Ekas Bay improves when monsoon swells shift direction. Crowds thin significantly, and accommodation prices drop.

Making the Most of Lombok's Variety

The island's greatest strength isn't any single wave – it's the range available within a compact area. Morning sessions at Gerupuk can give way to afternoon exploration of hidden beaches. Beginners can progress from Selong Belanak to Don Don within a single trip. Advanced surfers can chase Desert Point swells while filling flat days at the south coast's reef breaks. A surf camp provides the perfect structure for maximizing this variety.

Rent a motorbike, talk to locals, take wrong turns that lead to unmarked beaches. Some of the best sessions happen at spots without names on any map. Lombok rewards exploration and punishes rigidity. Our local surf guides can show you the secret spots.

The waves here aren't staying secret forever – the airport has expanded, roads are improving, and each year brings more visitors. But for now, this remains an island where empty lineups and perfect waves still exist for those willing to seek them. Plan your trip before the crowds arrive.

Need help finding the best waves for your level? Book a surf guide and let local experts show you Lombok's hidden gems.