Kuta, on the south coast of Lombok, is not a single surf spot. It is a small town that works as a base, with bays and reefs spread along the coast on either side. Some are a scooter ride away over the hills and some are reached by a short trip in a local boat. Between them there is a wave for almost every level, on a coastline that is noticeably quieter than Bali’s.
Surf conditions change daily, and published guides do not always agree with each other. Where they differ we say so. Treat this as a starting point and always check conditions on the day with someone who knows the break.
Kuta Lombok at a glance
| Where | South coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the island directly east of Bali |
| Type of waves | A sandy beach break at Selong Belanak and reef breaks elsewhere, several reached by boat |
| Best for | Beginners at Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan; improvers and intermediates at Gerupuk; experienced surfers at Mawi and the outer reefs |
| Dry season | May to September: bigger, more consistent swell with offshore trade winds |
| Wet season | November to March: smaller, mellower waves and fewer surfers |
| Water temperature | Roughly 25–30 °C all year |
| What to wear | Boardshorts or swimwear and a rash vest. No wetsuit needed |
| Nearest airport | Lombok International Airport, about 20 to 30 minutes from Kuta by road |
Kuta Lombok surf spots by level
| Spot | Level | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Selong Belanak | Beginner | A long, sandy beach break west of Kuta, about 30 minutes by scooter. The sand bottom makes it the classic place for a first lesson. |
| Tanjung Aan | Beginner and longboard | Gentle waves east of Kuta, reached by a short boat ride from the beach. |
| Gerupuk Inside | Beginner to intermediate | A right-hander over reef inside Gerupuk Bay, reached by boat. Forgiving, and for that reason it can get very crowded. |
| Don-Don | Guides differ | A mellow A-frame in Gerupuk Bay, reached by boat. Guides disagree on which level it suits best. |
| Gerupuk Outside | Intermediate to advanced | A bigger, more exposed wave further out in the bay. |
| Are Guling | Intermediate to advanced | Reef breaks in a bay west of Kuta. |
| Seger | Ask locally | A reef break close to Kuta. Watch for sea urchins. |
| Mawi | Strong intermediate to advanced | A powerful reef break, 30 to 45 minutes from Kuta by scooter. |
| Ekas | Ask locally | Across the bay to the east. Usually done as a day trip by boat. |
How boat surfing works
At Gerupuk and Tanjung Aan you do not paddle from the beach. A local boat takes you out to the reef, waits while you surf and brings you back. It saves a long paddle and it means you start each session fresh. It also means there is boat traffic in the bay, so keep an eye out when you are sitting in the line-up or paddling back.
Lombok surf seasons through the year
The main surf season in Lombok is May to September, when the swell is biggest and most consistent. November to March is smaller and quieter, which many learners prefer.
| Months | Season | Surf | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| May to September | Dry season | Bigger and more consistent swell, with offshore trade winds. | The busiest time. Beginners do best in the sheltered bays and on the smaller days. |
| April and October | Between seasons | Conditions sit between the two seasons and vary from year to year. | Check the forecast close to your trip. |
| November to March | Wet season | Smaller, mellower waves. | Fewer surfers. Rain usually comes in bursts and not all day. |
Tides and wind
- Reef breaks are tide-sensitive. A wave that is soft and easy with plenty of water over the reef can become shallow and fast a few hours later. Local boat drivers and instructors plan sessions around the tide.
- The bays give shelter. Because the coast is cut into bays that face different ways, there is often somewhere protected from the wind.
- Check a tide chart daily. Tide times move every day.
Kuta Lombok surf forecast
Magicseaweed, the forecast site many surfers used for Lombok, is now part of Surfline, and magicseaweed.com takes you to Surfline. These free forecasts cover the breaks around Kuta:
- Surfline: spot forecasts for Gerupuk (listed as Grupuk), Selong Belanak, Mawi, Are Guling and Ekas.
- surf-forecast.com: Gerupuk Inside (listed as Gerpuk Bay), Tanjung Aan, Mawi, Are Guling (listed as Air Guling), Seger Reef, Ekas and Kuta Bay.
- Windy: a wind and swell map rather than a list of spots. Drop a pin on the south coast of Lombok to see the wind and swell for that stretch.
In the dry season, May to September, a Kuta forecast shows bigger, more consistent swell and offshore trade winds. From November to March the swell is smaller and the waves mellower. Reef breaks also change with the tide, so check a tide chart next to the forecast.
Surf it with us at our Kuta Lombok surf camp.
Staying safe in the water
- Sharp reef. Fall flat, never dive head first, and keep your feet up over shallow sections.
- Sea urchins. They live on the reef at spots such as Seger. Avoid walking on the reef where you can.
- Boats. Look for boat traffic at Gerupuk before you paddle.
- Roads. Reaching the outlying breaks means hilly roads. Ride carefully or go with a driver.
- Sun. A rash vest and water-resistant sunscreen matter on long boat sessions.
Getting to Kuta Lombok
- By air. Lombok International Airport is 20 to 30 minutes from Kuta. The flight from Bali takes about 40 minutes.
- By fast boat. Fast boats run from Bali (Padang Bai, Serangan and Sanur) and take from about an hour and a half, followed by a road transfer.
- By public ferry. The ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar takes roughly four to six hours.
Beyond the surf
Bukit Merese, the grassy headland beside Tanjung Aan, is the place to watch the sun go down. Inland are the villages of the Sasak people, who are the island’s indigenous community and are known for their weaving and their traditional thatched houses. The beaches themselves, Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan in particular, are worth a visit even without a board.
Surf Lombok with Mojosurf
Our Kuta Lombok surf camp puts the breaks above within reach. Daily lessons are included in Lombok Surf & Stay, from US$210, for stays of 3 to 6 days.
- Lombok Surf & Stay: 3 to 6 days, starting on any day, with shared accommodation, daily breakfast and a daily lesson with equipment. Transport to Lombok is not included.
- 7 Day Lombok Surf Trip: six nights, with ferry and car transfers from our Canggu camp. Lessons are in the protected waters of Gerupuk Bay, and the trip suits all levels, including first-timers.
You need to be able to swim 50 metres unaided to join a lesson.
Keep exploring
- Canggu vs Lombok: which is right for you?
- Canggu surf guide
- Nusa Lembongan surf guide
- Red Island surf guide
- Island hopping from Bali: a surfer’s guide
Kuta Lombok surf questions
4 questions
Still have a question?
Ask a surferIs Lombok good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Selong Belanak has a sandy bottom and gentle waves, and Tanjung Aan and Gerupuk Inside are forgiving on small days. Other breaks, such as Mawi, are for experienced surfers.
When is the best time to surf Lombok?
May to September has the biggest and most consistent swell. November to March is smaller and mellower with fewer surfers, which many learners prefer.
Do I need a wetsuit?
No. The water is around 25 to 30 °C all year.
How do I get to Lombok from Bali?
Fly in about 40 minutes, take a fast boat from about an hour and a half, or take the public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar in four to six hours.
