best in lombok
Photo by Lombok Rafting

WHITE WATER RAFTING

When the wet season arrives, head to the Lingsar area in northwestern Lombok where you can enjoy white-water rafting (even in the rain). A day of rafting promises to provide exactly the adrenaline boost you’re seeking!

A relatively new addition to the Lombok list of things to do, the rapids range from Grade II in the dry season to grade IV in the wet. The best time to visit is during the rainy season when the flow is faster and the surrounding landscapes are lush and green.

Rafting expeditions are made up of stretches of relatively calm rafting where you can take in the jungle views and unique insights into village life along the river, with local families going about their day, washing clothes, bathing or farming by the river.

These stretches are broken up by white water and exciting rapids of varying intensity, guaranteed to get your heart racing!

While certainly not for the faint of heart during the wet season, each participant is kitted out with a helmet, life-vest and water safety training, and a guide remains with you at all times. Most companies also include a traditional Indonesian lunch too. Dry season has more of a lazy river feel to it and can be a pleasurable way to pass the day.

Photo by Neil Cave

GOLF

Sire Beach Golf Club is located on the shores of Sire Beach in northwest Lombok, close to the Oberoi and Tugu hotels. It is less than one hour’s drive from Senggigi or a short speedboat ride from the Gilis.

This world-class course was designed by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett, who have respected the unique setting and contours of the location. The 18-hole, par 72 championship course (6245 meters) offers world-class challenges for golfing enthusiasts of all levels.

Extraordinary views from different holes overlook Sire Beach and the ocean to the Gili Islands, and magnificent mountain views to the east with Mt Rinjani towering in the distance.

Rates include green fees, caddy and cart hire. Golf clubs are also available for hire. Visit: sirebeachgolfclub.com

SURFING

Lombok is a world-renown surfing heaven amongst surf enthusiasts world-wide and, more than any other island in Indonesia, Lombok offers year-round surf, with peak months between April and October. Even in the wet season, warm waters and uncrowded waves await.

Kuta, on the south coast, is surf-central and has a range of accommodations and facilities especially for surfers. Here you can hire a board, get board repairs and take surf lessons from the professionals. To take your surfing experience to the next level, join one of the many surf camps and retreats available year-round.

Beginners and intermediate surfers should head to the steady, consistent waves found in the south at Selong Belanak. There are a number of places on the beach that hire boards by the hour and surf coaches patiently instruct beginners on the art of surfing.

The waves at Gerupuk and Tanjung Aan offer a variety of challenges from beginners to sheer madness! Tanjung Aan has consistent surf all year round, while Gerupuk has five surf breaks and is suitable for all levels.

Ekas Bay has two surf breaks: Inside Ekas and Outside Ekas with waves suitable for beginners to experts, depending on the season.

West from Kuta, you’ll find surf at Mawi, Are Guling, Tampah and more. Make friends with the locals to find more hidden surfing gems!

Huge waves and challenging surf lure die-hards to Bangko-Bangko (also known as Desert Point) on the south-western tip of Lombok. Only for the experienced and brave, Desert Point is regarded as one of the best waves in the world!

At certain times of the year when conditions are right, you’ll also find locals surfing the breaks at Senggigi and Mangsit Beach, and off Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. Lombok is an island that loves to surf!

VISIT A PEARL FARM

Lombok is famous for its pearls and the island is often referred to as “Pearl Island”, attracting buyers from all over Indonesia and the rest of the world to purchase these beautiful and precious “gems of the sea”.

Lombok is fortunate to have one internationally renowned pearl trader based on the island. The AUTORE Group is one of the largest South Sea pearl companies in the world and has pearl farms in Lombok, Sumbawa (the island to the east of Lombok) and West Java, in addition to their main operations in Australia.

AUTORE operate a unique visitors’ centre and showroom at their pearl farm located in the calm bay of Teluk Nara on Lombok’s west coast.

Perched over the waters of the bay, the AUTORE showroom has views of the dramatic Rinjani mountain range on the mainland, and to the east, over the buoys of the pearl farm to the three Gili Islands floating in the sparkling sea just minutes away.

Guests visiting the AUTORE Pearl Farm have the opportunity to discover how the rare and beautiful South Sea pearls are produced in Lombok, with knowledgeable guides explaining the intricate processes of modern cultured pearl farming – from how the oysters are seeded, the growing process, harvesting and grading the pearls, through to the end result – the stunning pearls on display in their showroom.

The Pearl Farm Tour consistently receives excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and is a fascinating and highly recommended tour for visitors to Lombok.

The visitor’s centre is just offshore at Teluk Nara harbour, only 25 minutes north of Senggigi, and can be easily reached by car or taxi from Senggigi, or by boat from any of the Gilis. See page 3 for details.

*** Getting around Lombok is easy by car or motorbike and you can hire these in all the main tourism areas, with an International Driver’s License. The roads are generally in good condition and traffic is light. Alternatively, hire a car and driver for exploring.

Or take part in the tours and day trips by the many tour agencies on the island offering these tours; just do an internet search for the title (e.g. “surfing Lombok”, “dirt bikes Lombok”, “rafting Lombok”, etc.)

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