One of Lombok’s most important and popular festivals is “Bau Nyale”, meaning “to catch Nyale (a type of sea worm)” in the local Sasak language. It is a cultural tradition, deeply rooted in local legend, and unique to the island of Lombok.

The sea worms are variety of Palolo worm found in tropical waters in certain parts of the world, including Lombok, Sumba and Savu in Indonesia. Once a year – when seasonal, marine and lunar conditions combine – the Nyale come to certain beaches around Lombok to spawn and for a few days, the seas are filled with wriggling sea worms in a variety of colours, ranging from simple brown to red and green.

Bau Nyale, or the Nyale Festival, takes place every year in the tenth month of the Sasak calendar at a time close to the full moon, and is celebrated in either February or March each year.

The Nyale spawn along many of the beaches of the south coast, but the site for the main Bau Nyale event is at beautiful Seger Beach near Kuta.

Alternative places to see Nyale are at Bumbang Beach, just to the east of Gerupuk, Selong Belanak Beach to the west of Kuta, and Kaliantan Beach, near Jerowaru.

The “core event” with cultural performances held around Kuta Mandalika. This is an excellent time to see many of the traditions unique to the Sasak people of Lombok, such as peresean.

Peresean is a local form of traditional fighting, using long rattan sticks, in which competitors try to strike each other while protecting their own bodies with shields made from toughened cow hide. It’s a fast and furious fight, always cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

There will also be a parade of featuring competitors for the title of Princess Mandalika (usually held in the nearby town of Praya). Young Sasak ladies dressed in fabulous costumes compete for the crown and the opportunity to represent Lombok at various events throughout the year. This year’s Princess Mandalika will be crowned at the event.

Other entertainment includes markets, food and fashion carnivals, traditional music, and there are also plans for a concert featuring a well-known national band.

In the late afternoon of the main event, a long train of traffic makes its way to Seger Beach, around 5kms to the east of Kuta and the site of the main Bau Nyale celebrations. Tens of thousands of people amass on the small road leading to the beach; typical waits for entrance can stretch to two hours. This doesn’t, however, deter the crowds and the overall festive atmosphere.

The government only releases the festival programme shortly before the event, so we are unable to publish dates and times for other activities but ask around locally in the week before-hand to get the latest information.

On the land surrounding the beach, stalls and warungs selling drinks and foods are set up, and different performances are held on the beach. The main stage features the core performances that are an essential part of the Bau Nyale festival, in particular the theatrical drama which re-enacts the legend of Princess Mandalika.

If you want to witness Bau Nyale, stay in Kuta and book early – this popular festival attracts people from around the world.