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Senggigi, with its strategic location, emerges not only as a wonderful holiday destination but as a gateway to the myriad attractions that Lombok offers.
Senggigi is the oldest established tourism area on Lombok’s West Coast and is around a one-hour drive northwest of Lombok International Airport.
Its central location makes Senggigi an ideal base for exploring the island. The waterfalls, golf courses, Lombok Wildlife Park and other attractions in the north are only an hour or so drive away and Bangsal Harbour (the main harbour for boats to the Gilis) can be reached in less than an hour.
The historic attractions of Lingsar and Narmada, and Benang Stokel Waterfall to the east, are around an hour’s drive from Senggigi, while the cities are less than an hour away.
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One of the most spectacular sights on the island is the sunset viewed from Senggigi and along the west coast, which faces toward Bali across the ocean. It is a magical sight watching the bright orange sun sinking into the sea and Bali’s Gunung Agung volcano silhouetted on the horizon like a giant pyramid floating in the ocean.
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The Senggigi tourism strip stretches for about 10km, starting a few kilometres before central Senggigi and running north along the coastal road, with many hotels and restaurants positioned along the beautiful beaches that line the west coast.
A few kilometres south of Senggigi, The Hill (locally called The Bukit), is a residential community perched on the hillside in Batu Layar. The homes and villas here feature architectural designs and have magnificent views over the ocean.
Closer to Senggigi, Batu Bolong forms a strip between the historic Batu Bolong Temple and the southern gateway to Senggigi.
Pura Batu Bolong (literally meaning “rock with a hole”), was renovated in 2010 and is an interesting Hindu temple on a cliff facing Bali across the Lombok Strait. Built on a large rocky outcrop with a hole at the base, from which the temple takes its name, it is said that virgins were once sacrificed to the sea from the seat-like rock at the outermost point.
Colourful Hindu ceremonies are held here every month at the dark and full moons, and at Hindu festival times. Admission and rental of a compulsory sarong and temple sash is by donation. This is a great place to watch the sunset, with fantastic views across the ocean to Gunung Agung on Bali
Just before the entrance to Senggigi. directly across the road from Café Alberto is the entrance to the Green Valley residential area.
Senggigi Beach is the large bay that forms the centrepiece of Senggigi. The main road runs parallel to the beach and large resorts occupy the space between, with Merumatta Senggigi at the southern end and the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort at the northern end of the bay.
The beach is a wide protected bay with promontories at each end. The beach is lovely for swimming and relaxing but can become crowded on Sundays and public holidays.
Roughly in the centre of the bay is the Senggigi Jetty where the fast boat from Bali arrives and departs. Visiting yachts often anchor in the calm waters of the bay.
In the early mornings, enjoy a stroll along the beach looking out to the ocean dotted with the bright, colourful sails of fishing boats, as the local fishermen return with the day’s catch.
Senggigi Reef, off the southern point, has good coral for snorkelling during high tide. To the left of the reef, Anjungan is a popular surf spot and, in the right conditions, has some decent surf breaks. When the tides are high, local surfers can be seen catching the waves here every day.
Canoes can be hired from the beach on the weekends and during peak tourism times. Local outrigger boats (perahu) can be chartered from the beachfront for trips along the coast or out to the Gili Islands.
In the centre of the bay is the Pasar Seni (Art Markets) with small shops selling handicrafts, clothing, sarongs, jewellery and other souvenirs. Lining the beach side of the Markets are small restaurants for dining. Come for a drink at sunset and enjoy delicious meals from the beachfront restaurants with the waves lapping only metres away.
Away from the beach, the main road (Jalan Raya Senggigi) is lined with cafés and restaurants, shops, spas, tour agencies, bars and nightclubs; many of which have live music in the evenings.
There are convenience stores and supermarkets, numerous ATM’s, banks, money changers, a post office and other tourist facilities.
About 2 km north of central Senggigi, Kerandangan has a popular beach nearby and a road leading into a residential area situated in a pretty valley.
At the end of the road through Kerandangan Valley is the Taman Wisata Alam – Kerandangan Nature Reserve – with hiking paths leading through the rain forest along the river. There is a Ranger’s hut and basic visitors centre near the entrance. The Park boasts a small waterfall, pretty river scenery, families of local monkeys, and a variety of tropical plants and birdlife.
Further north, Mangsit has developed as an accommodation alternative to Senggigi, with some of the best boutique hotels positioned along the breath-taking beaches of this section of coast.
There is good snorkelling in front of Puri Mas Beach Resort at high tide and, when the wind is right, surfers take to the waves in front of Qunci Villas.
Furthest north is Klui, Lendang Luar and Setangi, with a long stretch of pristine beach at Lendang Luar.
Mainly deserted white sand beaches, flanked by coconut groves continue all the way north along the main coastal road. Malimbu and Nipah are two picturesque bays less than half an hour from Senggigi, which are good for snorkelling, swimming and getting away from it all.
Whether you are seeking a tranquil interlude with luxury accommodation at a top resort with fine dining and spa facilities, or a budget holiday with days spent exploring – or all the choices in between – Senggigi caters for all tastes and budgets.
Swim, snorkel, dive, hike, lie in the sun, have a massage, eat and drink at some of the great restaurants and bars in town; or just take a break and be enchanted by the unspoiled beauty of Lombok’s west coast.