It's no wonder that so many visitors make their way to Lombok for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, romance, and budget-friendly accommodations.
Some of the most popular sights include:
- Kuta Beach (Free)
- Pink Beach (Free)
- Tiu Kelep Waterfall for $100
- Mount Rinjani for $150
- Gili Islands for $100
- Senggigi Beach (Free)
- Narmada Park for $3
Lombok isn't a large island, which makes it easy to navigate and visit, especially if you're limited on time.
Senggigi Beach is the main tourist attraction of Lombok, where visitors flock for beautiful beaches on the west side of the island. Go to the center if you're looking for bars, restaurants and nightlife. Be sure to check out a map of Senggigi before you book accommodations, as it is divided into several areas and it may be hard to get from one to another without a taxi or using public transport.
The center of Senggigi is also a common takeoff point to visit the Gili Islands, nearby villages and temples, and Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, where you can take an easy trek to view the beautiful falls.
For a cultural experience, visit Mayura Park, built in the mid 1700s by King A.A Made Karangasem. Within the park, you can visit the four Hindu temples, Mount Rinjani, Ngelurah, Padmasana, and Gedong temple.
Take a stroll along with a history lesson in Narmada Park, the king of Bali's summer palace, which is a peaceful and lush green space believed to contain the fountain of youth among wooden pavilions and clean pools.
While Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan are popular with tourists and locals alike on the west side of Lombok, if you're looking for something more off-the-beaten-track, explore the secret and mostly deserted (and sometimes submerged) east islands of Gili Bidara, Gili Kapal and Gili Lampu. Here, you can take a day trip tour to explore all the islands to snorkel and experience your own Shangri-La without the tourism that comes with the more popular west gilis. Gili Kondo is the most known and visited of the east Gilis, especially because locals like to visit on weekends.
On the south of the island, Kuta beach, not to be confused with its namesake in Bali, has beautiful, white sand beaches for relaxing as well as some of the best surfing in the world. Some travelers have had problems in Kuta Lombok as this small town is often caught up in the general problems associated with tourism development.
Lombok also has world-class diving spots in the southwest of the island in Sekotong.
Take a hike up to Mount Rinjani, the second-highest, not to mention active volcano in Indonesia at 12,224 feet in elevation.
Don't forget to visit the hot springs and Segara Anak, a heated crater lake in the caldera. Tour companies such as HaLoMi Trekker and Green Rinjani Trekking will take you to see beautiful views of all of the above on a challenging trek including delicious cooked meals.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling:
One of the key highlights in Lombok is its popular scuba diving scene. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.
Beaches:
Many adventurers arrive in Lombok to spend leisurely days at the beach. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.
Hiking:
Discovering the hiking trails around Lombok is a delight. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.
Shopping:
You'll find shopping here to be an experience worth having. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Lombok. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Day Trip Tour To Secret Gilis for $110 details
- Lombok Wildlife Park Skip the Line Ticket for $27 details
- Car Hire Lombok tradition village tour for $99 details