Selong Belanak Beach: Best Beginner Surf Spot in Lombok 2025

Why Selong Belanak is Ideal for Surf Beginners

If you could design the perfect beach for learning to surf, you'd create something very close to Selong Belanak. This crescent-shaped bay on Lombok's south coast offers everything a beginner needs: gentle waves, a sandy bottom, warm water, and beautiful scenery to enjoy between attempts.

The beach stretches nearly two kilometers along a protected bay. Its gradual slope means waves break slowly and predictably, giving learners time to stand up and find their balance. Unlike Lombok's reef breaks where wipeouts can mean coral cuts, Selong Belanak's sandy bottom forgives mistakes.

For these reasons, Selong Belanak is where most surf lessons in Kuta Lombok take place.

Wave Conditions at Selong Belanak

Wave type: Beach break with gentle, rolling waves

Typical size: Knee-high to waist-high on most days, occasionally chest-high

Bottom: Sandy throughout – no reef

Best for: Complete beginners, longboarding, mellow sessions

When it's too big: Large swells can make the inside section choppy. On these days, instructors move to more protected spots like Mawun.

Best Time of Day

Early morning (6-9 AM): Calmest conditions, cleanest waves, fewer people. This is when most surf lessons happen.

Midday (10 AM-3 PM): Wind often picks up, creating chop. Good for swimming and beach time.

Late afternoon (4-6 PM): Winds typically die, offering a second window of good conditions with stunning sunset light.

Seasonal Differences

Dry season (April-October): Consistent small waves, offshore winds in the morning, best overall conditions.

Wet season (November-March): Smaller swells, occasional rain, but still very surfable. Fewer crowds make this excellent for lessons. See our seasonal guide for more details.

What to Expect on Your First Day Surfing Here

If you book surf lessons at Selong Belanak, here's what typically happens:

Before the water:

• Your instructor picks you up from Kuta (15-minute drive)
• Beach briefing covering safety, ocean awareness, and the pop-up technique
• Practice the pop-up movement on sand until it feels natural

In the water:

• Walk out to waist-deep water together
• Instructor selects appropriate waves and helps you into position
• Push-off assistance for first few waves
• In-water feedback and corrections
• Most students stand up within the first lesson

After:

• Cool down and stretch
• Optional: Stay and practice on your own
• Return transport to Kuta

Typical Progression Timeline

Day 1: Learn safety, pop-up technique, catch whitewash waves with assistance. Most students stand briefly by end of session.

Day 2: Less assistance needed. Standing becomes more consistent. Starting to control direction slightly.

Day 3: Catching waves more independently. Beginning to angle along the wave rather than going straight to shore.

Days 4-5: For those continuing, this is when students start to "surf" rather than just "stand." Green waves become possible for some.

This is why our 3-day and 5-day packages are so popular – they allow for real progression.

Beyond Surfing: What Else to Do at Selong Belanak

Swimming: The protected bay creates calm swimming areas, especially at the eastern end. Much calmer than reef breaks like Gerupuk.

Beach relaxation: White sand, turquoise water, dramatic hills – this is one of Lombok's most beautiful beaches. Kuta Lombok offers easy access.

Local warungs: Several simple restaurants line the beach serving Indonesian food and fresh coconuts.

Sunset watching: The western-facing bay offers spectacular sunset views. Perfect for surf photography.

Photography: The scenery here is postcard-perfect. Bring a waterproof camera or book a surf photo package.

How to Get to Selong Belanak from Kuta

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Drive time: 15-20 minutes by motorbike

Options:

• Rent a motorbike (70,000-100,000 IDR/day)
• Hire a driver
• Book surf lessons with included transport

Parking: Parking attendants charge 5,000-10,000 IDR at the main beach entrance.

Book Your Surf Lesson at Selong Belanak

Selong Belanak is where we introduce most students to surfing. The combination of gentle waves, sandy bottom, and beautiful setting creates the ideal learning environment.

Why book with Happiness Surf Co.:

• Maximum 2 students per instructor
• All equipment and transport included
• 10+ years of local experience
• We teach at Selong Belanak on most days

Ready to catch your first wave? Book a beginner surf lesson today.

Already surfed Selong Belanak and ready for more? Check out our surf guide service to explore Gerupuk Bay and other reef breaks.