Why Surfing in Lombok, Indonesia Belongs on Your List
We’re DHM Surf Camp, and Lombok is our home. We think it’s one of the best places in Indonesia to surf. The water is warm, around 26–28°C, so you won’t need a wetsuit. The lineups are quiet. And there’s a wave for every level, from soft beach breaks to world-class reef.
Lombok sits right next to Bali, just a short flight away. But life here moves slower, and the beaches are emptier. The south coast faces the open Indian Ocean, so swell arrives all year round.
Our coaches surf these breaks almost every day. This guide shares what we’ve learned in the water. You’ll find the best surfing spots in Lombok, how it compares with Bali, and where to stay. For more detail, see our full Lombok surf spots guide.
What Are the Best Surfing Spots in Lombok?
The right wave for you depends on your level. It also depends on the tide and swell that day. These are the eight spots we surf most often with our guests.
| Spot | Distance from Kuta Lombok | Wave type | Best for |
| Seger | 5 min | Reef, left and right | Beginner (left) to advanced (right) |
| Air Guling | 15 min west | Reef, right point + left | Intermediate to advanced |
| Tanjung Aan | 20 min east | Reef, left and right | Beginner to intermediate |
| Gerupuk (4 breaks) | 25 min east | Reef, mostly rights | All levels |
| Mawi | 25 min west | Reef, A-frame left | Intermediate to advanced |
| Selong Belanak | 30 min west | Sand beach break | First-timers |
| Ekas | 2 hrs (30 min by boat from Awang) | Reef, inside and outside | All levels |
| Desert Point | 3 hrs southwest | Shallow reef, left barrel | Advanced and pro |
Selong Belanak: Best Surfing in Lombok for Beginners
Never surfed before? This is where we start most of our beginners. Selong Belanak is a long, white-sand beach. The waves are soft, and there’s no reef underneath. It’s about 30 minutes west of Kuta. It works almost all year and is best at high tide. After your session, grab lunch at a beach warung.
Gerupuk: Four Breaks in One Bay
Gerupuk is a small fishing village with a big bay. Inside the bay are four different breaks. You reach them by local boat, which costs about Rp 50,000 per person. Gerupuk Inside is a long, easy right. It’s great for improving surfers, but it gets busy. Don Don and Kiddies are fun reef peaks. They need a bigger swell to work. Gerupuk Outside is fast and heavy. We only take advanced surfers there.
Mawi: Lombok’s Most Consistent Dry-Season Wave
Mawi is our go-to wave in the dry season. From May to September, it’s the most consistent spot on the island. It holds waves up to about 10 feet. It’s mostly a left, with a short right on smaller days. The reef is sharp, so we surf it on mid to high tide. Be ready for a rough dirt track on the last part of the road.
Tanjung Aan, Seger and Air Guling
Tanjung Aan is a beautiful bay with a reef peak in the middle. You can paddle out in about ten minutes or take a boat. The wave is friendly, so it gets crowded. Seger is just five minutes from our camp. It has a gentle left for learners and a hollow right for strong surfers. Air Guling is 15 minutes west. It has one of the best rights on the south coast and works best at 4–6 feet.
Ekas and Desert Point
Ekas is about two hours away by road. You can also get there in 30 minutes by boat from Awang. Ekas Inside is soft and works on any tide. Ekas Outside breaks below a cliff and gets steep and hollow. Then there’s Desert Point. On a big swell at low tide, the barrel can last almost 20 seconds. It needs just the right swell, and the reef is very shallow. It’s for experts only.
Surfing in Kuta Lombok: The Island’s Surf Hub
We built our camp in Kuta Lombok for one simple reason: location. Seger is five minutes away. Gerupuk and Tanjung Aan are about 20 minutes east. Selong Belanak and Mawi are under 30 minutes west. Each morning, we check the wind and tide. Then we drive to the spot that’s working best.
Don’t mix it up with Kuta in Bali. Locals often call this town Kuta Mandalika. It’s about 30 minutes from Lombok International Airport. You’ll find board rentals, surf shops, cafés and warungs here. The wider Mandalika area is now a government tourism zone. To learn about the nearby beaches and Sasak villages, visit the official Indonesia tourism page on Mandalika.
Surfing in Lombok vs Bali: Which Is Better?
We may be a little biased, but here’s our honest take. Pick Lombok if you want quiet lineups and a slower pace. Pick Bali if you want nightlife, shopping, and lots of famous breaks close together. The flight between them takes only 25-30 minutes. Many of our guests surf both.
| Factor | Lombok | Bali |
| Crowds | Lighter, especially outside peak months | Heavy at most well-known breaks |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed surf town (Kuta Lombok) | Busy, developed (Canggu, Uluwatu) |
| Beginner waves | Selong Belanak, Gerupuk Inside, Ekas Inside | Kuta Beach, Batu Bolong |
| Signature wave | Desert Point (left barrel) | Uluwatu, Padang Padang |
| Access to breaks | Many by boat from fishing villages | Mostly by road |
The biggest difference is in the water. At Bali’s famous breaks, dozens of surfers can sit on one peak. In Lombok, bays like Gerupuk have several breaks. So the crowd spreads out, and you catch more waves. The catch? Lombok has fewer facilities. Some spots also need a boat or a bumpy road.
When to Go: Surfing Lombok in February and Beyond
You can surf in Lombok all year. But the best spots change with the season. The dry season runs from about May to September. It brings bigger, steadier swell, and that’s when Mawi and Desert Point shine.
The wet season runs from about November to March. The waves are usually smaller and cleaner. Gerupuk, Air Guling and Seger work best then.
Is February a Good Month for Surfing in Lombok?
Yes, and it’s one of our favourite months. February is great for beginners and intermediates. The water is warm, and the swell is smaller. Mornings are often glassy, with rain showers later in the day. Gerupuk, Seger and Air Guling usually work well. The lineups are also quieter than in July and August.
In February or March, you might catch Bau Nyale. It’s a Sasak festival at Seger Beach, often with local surf contests.
Coming mainly for Desert Point? Then plan your trip for the dry season. Whatever month you choose, check a Lombok surf forecast before you fly. Swell and wind can change a lot from week to week.
Where to Stay in Lombok for Surfing
We recommend Kuta Lombok as the best place to stay in Lombok for surfing. Most south-coast breaks are within 30 minutes. There are plenty of surf camps, guesthouses, and places to eat. Prefer somewhere quieter? Here are a few other areas.
- Kuta Lombok: Good for all levels. Seger, Gerupuk, Tanjung Aan, Mawi and Selong Belanak are all close.
- Selong Belanak: A quiet bay with a sandy beach break. Ideal for beginners.
- Gerupuk: Close to the boats. Good for intermediates who want an early start.
- Ekas: Remote and uncrowded. Waves for all levels, but it’s a long drive.
On your first trip, a surf camp makes life easy. At DHM Surf Camp, your stay includes your room, coaching, boat fees, and daily transport. Our coaches pick the best spot each morning. You just turn up and surf.
Practical Tips for Surfing in Lombok
- Watch the tide. Most breaks here are over reef. Tanjung Aan, Seger and Mawi get very shallow at low tide.
- Carry cash. Boats at Gerupuk, Tanjung Aan and Air Guling cost about Rp 50,000 per person. Beaches like Mawi and Selong Belanak charge for parking.
- Pack reef booties and a first-aid kit. Seger has lots of sea urchins.
- Surf early. The wind is lightest in the morning, so the waves are cleaner.
- Ride carefully. Roads to spots like Mawi turn into rough dirt tracks.
FAQs About Surfing in Lombok
Is Lombok good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Selong Belanak, Gerupuk Inside, Ekas Inside, and the left at Seger are all great for learning. We recommend a coach for your first few sessions.
What is the best surfing in Lombok for advanced surfers?
Desert Point is the top pick. It offers long, hollow left barrels on a big swell. Mawi, Gerupuk Outside, Air Guling and Ekas Outside are also strong, challenging waves.
Is surfing in Lombok better than Bali?
It depends on what you want. Lombok has smaller crowds and a calmer feel. Bali has more nightlife, more facilities, and more famous breaks close together.
Where is the best place to stay in Lombok for surfing?
Kuta Lombok. Most of the island’s best surf spots are just 5 to 30 minutes away.
Can you surf in Lombok all year?
Yes. The dry season (May-September) brings bigger swell and suits spots like Mawi. The wet season (November–March) is better for Gerupuk, Seger and Air Guling.
Start Your Lombok Surf Trip
Surfing in Lombok gives you great Indonesian waves without Bali’s crowds. It’s warm, it’s friendly, and there’s surf all year. You might catch your first wave at Selong Belanak. Or you might chase barrels at Desert Point. Either way, the island has a wave waiting for you.
The key is good planning. Base yourself in Kuta Lombok, close to most of the south-coast breaks. Pick your season to suit your level. February is great for beginners, while the dry season brings bigger swell. And always check the tide before you paddle out.
That’s where we come in. Our coaches know these breaks inside out. We pick the right spot each morning and handle the boats and transport. Take a look at our surf camp packages and come surf with us.
