25 Best Things to Do on Lombok Indonesia in 2023 (Travel Guide)

An off-the-beaten-track travel guide to Lombok Indonesia featuring the 25 best things to do on your trip. Summit an active volcano, day trip to magical jungle waterfalls, and unwind on white sandy beaches– this is Lombok Indonesia!

Lombok Island is a volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs and dotted islets within the Indonesian archipelago. It’s often referred to as Bali’s sister island, but I like to call it Indonesia’s adventure island.

There’s an abundance of incredible things to do on Lombok, offering raw and memorable travel experiences.

After spending six weeks on the island, I’ve compiled this huge Lombok travel guide to help you plan your visit. I’ve given you a rundown on how to get here, what to expect, where to stay, and of course, a massive list of what to do on Lombok!

About Lombok Indonesia

Lombok is an Indonesian island located just east of Bali, across the Lombok Strait in Southeast Asia. While Lombok has its own international airport and solid tourism infrastructure, it is sadly often overlooked as a travel destination in favor its neighboring tourism powerhouse.

However, thanks to adventurers slowly making a drift to Lombok from Bali via the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida, more and more people are slowly starting to discover this hidden gem.

The island of Lombok is home to the indigenous Sasak people, some of the kindest and most welcoming people I've ever come across in my travels. They are very proud of their sacred mountain; Gunung Rinjani, which is an active volcano with hot springs and an incredible crater lake.

In the coastal areas, you'll find both volcanic black beaches with calm waters, and pumping surf hotspots with white sands and a laid-back vibe. Conversely, the central regions of Lombok is dense with tropical jungle and many impressive waterfalls.

How to Get to Lombok

Where is Lombok Indonesia?

Lombok Indonesia is located within the Nusa Tenggara Barat province. This volcanic island is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, which is found just east of the popular tourist island of Bali. The sea separating the two islands is called the Lombok Strait.

Wondering how to get here? Below is a quick up-to-date guide on the best ways to get to the island.

By Boat
As of 2023, there's a new convenient fast boat service from Bali that goes to Lombok each day. This journey takes roughly 1.5 hours.

Instead, you could book a cheap fast boat to Gili Trawangan, and spend a day or two on Gili T, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Then, take the shuttle boat or public boat from Gili T to Lombok ($1 USD). In my opinion, this is the best way to get to Lombok from Bali as it's cheap and allows you to see the coral reefs of the Gili Islands as well.

Lombok International Airport (LOP)
There are daily flights between Lombok and Denpasar, as well as many other direct routes within Indonesia and internationally (including direct flights from Perth). Airlines flying into Lombok include Garuda, Lion Air, Silk Air, and Trans Nusa.

You can compare the best flights across all of these airlines using CheapOAir for great deals.

25 Best Things to Do on Lombok Indonesia

Without further ado, let's dive into this epic list of the best things to do on Lombok Indonesia! I haven't ranked this list in any order. So, it'll be up to you to choose your own adventures!

Remember, at the bottom of this post, you'll also find useful information on where to stay during your visit.

2. Visit The Lombok Waterfalls

Just like Bali, Lombok has its own fair share of incredible waterfalls to visit– what do you expect, this is Indonesia!

The best part is that many are flowing year-round, despite the hot Lombok climate in the dry season. In my opinion, the natural beauty of Lombok is its primary attraction. And, checking out some of the waterfall trails is a sure way to experience it.

Some of my favorite adventures in Lombok were the waterfalls. Here are my top seven:

• Batu Santek & Tibu Bunter
• Benang Stokel
• Benang Kelambu
• Kilwun & Sesere
• Sendang Gile
• Tiu Kelep
• Mangku Sakti

Below I've outlined three of my absolute favorites from that list to get you inspired.

Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls

Another set of waterfalls that is value for time and money are Central Lombok highlights, Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu. Although they are located in the same geopark, the two waterfalls are vastly different.

Benang Kelambu is a curtain-like layer of flowing water and dense jungle plants. The other, Benang Stokel is a set of three plunging waterfalls in a wide jungle clearing.

Book in advance: Benang Kelambu & Benang Stokel Waterfall Trek (from Senggigi or Mataram)

Even if you have heard of these waterfalls before, you might be surprised to hear that there are actually another 3 hidden waterfalls here too.

Mangku Sakti Waterfall

Visiting Mangku Sakti waterfall ended up being one of my favorite things to do on Lombok Indonesia. Located in the north close to the trekking town of Sembalun, Mangku Sakti has several levels of fast-flowing rapids and a large main waterfall.

The best part about this one is that you can climb inside and behind the waterfall in a small rocky cave!

3. Explore the Senggigi Coastline

Senggigi was once the tourist capital of Lombok. However, the main tourist hub has now shifted from the west coast to the south (Kuta Lombok).

These days, you'll discover a chill beach vibe with plenty of small cafes and warungs. There's a main street wrapping along the coastline which is the perfect place to explore if you feel like beach hopping.

To see the best of Senggigi, I'd suggest renting a motorbike or scooter (with drop-off), which costs between 50,000-70,000 Rupiah per day and riding to all the beautiful beaches near Senggigi.

While you can catch a wave on a good day, the Senggigi beaches are more reserved for chilling, with calm, clear waters. Nevertheless, it's one of my favorite coastlines in Indonesia, and definitely worth an entry on your list of Lombok things to do and places to visit.

7. Gili Kedis Camping Trip

One of my absolute favorite experiences on Lombok was a camping trip to the tiny sandbar island of Gili Kedis.

The island is so tiny that you'd almost assume it would disappear at high tide! We finished off a great island-hopping day at the "Secret Gilis" by playing guitar and cooking a fresh BBQ at our private sandbar campsite. If you're looking for a raw, off-the-beaten-path travel experience in Lombok, make sure to spend a night out on Gili Kedis.

You can contact Feel Lombok and tell you that Olly from We Seek Travel sent you for a good deal.

9. Pergasinginan Hill Sunrise Hike

Mount Rinjani isn't the only opportunity on Lombok for some epic mountain views. Another favorite hike is Pergasingan Hill, located in the mountain town of Sembalun.

The trek itself is quite steep, but shouldn't take more than a few hours for the return trip. I'd suggest leaving early since the sunrise views from the top are incredible!

You won't require a guide to reach the top of Pergasingan Hill. However, you can choose to camp at the top with the help of some local tour guides. This blog has some useful information for camping on Pergasingan Hill.

Or, Book locally: Pergasingan Hill Trek

10. Bukit Selong Ricefield Viewpoint

While we're on the topic of hikes and viewpoints why not consider the Bukit Selong viewpoint over the carpeted Sembalun ricefields?

Unlike the previous two, this Lombok viewpoint doesn't require much hiking, just a quick walk up the hill at the back of town.

Bukit Selong is a great place to visit for either sunrise or sunset, and even though it's not very high, the views are pretty spectacular.

11. Explore the Rest of Sembalun and Senaru - North Lombok

You may have noticed that many of the items on this list of epic things to do on Lombok have been in the north. In terms of adventure travel, the north of Lombok has plenty of variety and countless things to do.

For off-the-beaten-path travel, I'd suggest spending a couple of days in Sembalun to explore the waterfalls, rice fields, and epic hikes and viewpoints.

11. Malase Hill Sunset Viewpoint

Although not typically visited by tourists, Malase has both beaches and viewpoints worth visiting.

The coastal village of Malase is situated only a few minutes south of Senggigi center. To reach the Malase Hill (Bukit Malase) sunset viewpoint, you'll need to follow the winding roads up and behind the village.

Viewpoint 1: 8° 30' 51.81" S 116° 5' 29.796" E
Viewpoint 2 (Bukit Marese): 8° 30' 44.232" S 116° 4' 29.184" E

There are two great spots to visit where you can enjoy the sunset over the water. However, these aren't pinned on Google Maps. If you have a motorcycle or scooter, you'll have time to visit both viewpoints - just copy and paste these coordinates into Google Maps.

12. Try Kopi Rachik (Spiced Lombok Coffee)

If you make the short coastal trip from Senggigi to Malase, then I'd highly recommend stopping by at Henry's Warung, on Google as "Kedai Mamiq" for some lunch and coffee.

Here, you'll be able to buy great food at a local price and have the opportunity to taste Henry's secret spiced coffee recipe. Through Henry, I met some of my best friends on Lombok who taught me a lot about local culture and showed us some amazing spots.

I've written a full coffee article and made a video about the traditional coffee-making practices if you're interested in learning more about this unique cultural experience on Lombok Indonesia.

12. Lombok Monkey Forest

Similarly to Bali, Lombok has its own thriving populations of Macaque and also a few Javan Lutung (black monkeys). If you're planning to stay or make a day trip to Tete Batu, then you'll nearly be certain to spot a few macaques.

If not, then you could also visit the Lombok Monkey Forest, (Baun Pusuk) located roughly 45 minutes from the main beach at Senggigi. This is a relatively new Lombok attraction but one that is quickly gaining popularity. The road here is sealed and in good condition, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to stop and take some photos of the rice fields and local villages on the way.

The Lombok Monkey Forest can be found at the top of a mountain pass, with plenty of places to park a car or motorbike. Even if you're not that interested in the Macaques, the view from the top and the ride here is worth the effort.

13. Explore the Sekotong Peninsula - (Lombok Hidden Gem)

Although it's arguably one of the least visited regions of Lombok, Sekotong is a place full of adventure.

From white sandy beaches, thousands of islands with crystal clear water to explore, and one of the best coastal roads to drive on in Lombok, Sekotong should definitely be added to your Lombok itinerary.

14. Surfing at Kuta Lombok

Since it's one of the closest tourist hubs to the new International Airport, Kuta Lombok has become the go-to travel destination on Lombok. Since the southern coast of Lombok gets the best waves, the best things to do here usually involve surfing and water sports.

There are plenty of beaches and breaks that cater to both advanced and beginner surfers.

While Kuta Lombok beach on the southern coast is one of the most popular, I recommend checking out Segar, Gerupuk, Are Guling, Mawi, and Selong Belanak beaches for good breaks. You'll be able to rent a board for a few hours or even a week if you want at most beaches.

14. Check Out the Best Beaches in South Lombok

Even if you're not surfing, Kuta Lombok and the southern peninsula is still a treasure trove of epic beaches.

The best part is that most of the beaches aren't packed or busy. In fact, some of the best beaches on Lombok island that were only a short moped ride from Kuta Lombok were completely empty! d

16. Semeti Hills

The Semeti Hills, also known as Bukit Semeti, is a set of jagged coastal cliffs and natural pyramids on the south coast of Lombok. It's one of the most beautiful parts of the southern coastline and in my opinion one of the best Lombok tourist attractions worth visiting when in the south.

Visiting the Semeti Hills viewpoint is a great way to end a beach-hopping trip from Kuta Lombok, as it's a great option to watch the sunset. There's also a good little cliff-jumping spot around the corner, as well as a small beach cave.

18. Bukit Merese Viewpoint

In terms of sunset spots in Kuta Lombok, the Merese Hill viewpoint near Tanjung Aan beach is easily the most popular– and for good reason.

Bukit Merese only takes about 15 minutes to reach via moped from the main strip on Kuta Lombok. The viewpoint itself is actually several hills, each looking over the ocean, with views across the southern coastline.

Since the area is quite spread out, it doesn't ever feel like a crowded sunset spot, even though at times it looks as if all of Kuta Lombok is there. Besides the wild monkeys, you'll almost certainly be able to watch the sunset in peace if you venture off to find a remote spot on the hill.

19. Kuta Lombok Bat Cave - Bangkang Cave

If you thought that you'd seen all the attractions and things to do on Lombok Indonesia, think again. Other than epic beaches, viewpoints, hikes, and tourist attractions, Lombok also has its very own cave systems too.

Although quite small, the Kuta Lombok Bat Cave is home to thousands of small nocturnal bats. Located only 10 minutes from Kuta Lombok, the bat cave is a perfect attraction stop on the way to some of the popular beaches like Pantai Mawun or Selong Belanak.

20. Nambung Beach Waterfall

Here's something a little unique yet again. Approximately an hour's ride from Kuta Lombok is a strange phenomenon that is famous amongst locals.

As the tide rushes out and waves pound the rocky shores of Nambung Beach, a natural "beach waterfall" appears. While it's not a freshwater waterfall, it's still a pretty cool spot to check out. If you do, make sure you bring a mask and snorkel, as there are literally dozens of turtles swimming around Nambung Beach!

21. Mekaki Beach

In my opinion, one of the best beaches in Lombok is Mekaki Beach. This beach reminds me a little of those on Nusa Penida, with thick, deep sand and jagged, Jurassic cliffs edged by amazing turquoise waters. I'm serious- the water here is seriously blue. However, it can get a little rough when the swell picks up.

Mekaki Beach is located on the southern shores of Sekotong, which requires a little long, but well-worth ride if you're staying in Kuta Lombok.

Even if you don't swim, checking out the beach is still one of the best free things to do on Lombok!

Related:

How to Get to Nusa Penida (Best Ways)

22. Drive the Epic New Coastal Road

Just before the road to Mekaki Beach is a newly constructed, long, winding coastal road. Known as "the new road", it makes for one of the most scenic drives in Lombok.

The road is in incredible condition. This means you’ll be excused if you divert your eyes to enjoy the coastal views! There are plenty of opportunities to park your bikes and grab some panoramic shots from the mountains.

My advice is to take the road east after leaving Pantai Mekaki. Then, follow it all the way around before diverting North back to Lembar.

23. Malimbu Hill Viewpoint

If you're staying in Senggigi, then you'll actually get a better sunset than those in Kuta Lombok, since the sun will set right out on the ocean's horizon.

The best sunset viewpoint in Senggigi is Malimbu Hill. This is a small, barren headland with a few leaning palms and one of the best attractions in Lombok Indonesia for those searching for unbeatable sunsets. Like most of the places in Senggigi, it's usually pretty quiet, and the view is spectacular!

24. Take the 4-Day Boat Trip to Komodo

If you're traveling Lombok on an open schedule, and you've got some time in Indonesia, then I'd highly recommend taking the 4-day 3-night boat trip from Lombok to Komodo Island. This is definitely one of the best experiences you can have in Lombok and maybe even in all of Indonesia!

This trip was one of the most epic experiences I had in Indonesia, and was ridiculously good value for money. Costing only 2.3 million Rupiah, the boat includes accommodation, food, transport, access to all the Komodo highlights (including Padar Island and seeing the amazing Komodo Dragons) as well as all National Park fees.

You can book directly with Wanua Adventures, or, alternatively, let the guys at Feel Lombok organize it for you for the same price.

Read More: Lombok to Komodo Boat Guide

25. Go White Water Rafting at Jangkok River

Visiting Lombok during the dry season? You're in luck because this is the best time to go rafting at Batu Mekar.

This is a beautiful clean river running through tropical rainforest surroundings on a 6.5-kilometer route. The river offers class III rapids, meaning this is a fun and appropriate activity for beginners!

Lombok Indonesia Guide: Travel Tips & Info

I hope you enjoyed that long list of epic adventures and attractions on Lombok. Before you head out and explore the island, check out some of the useful travel tips and information below to better plan your visit.

When is the Best Time to Visit Lombok?

The climate in Lombok island is distinguished by two primary seasons; the dry season and the rainy season. It has a tropical climate meaning temperature stays relatively the same all year round.

While Lombok is Bali's sister island, it doesn't receive as much rainfall and is generally drier.

Dry Season: April to October
Locals refer to this period as "summer" even though it is technically in the southern hemisphere. That's because the weather is generally drier and more beach-friendly.

Rainy Season: October to March
The best time to explore Lombok if you want to get the most out of the epic waterfalls! The weather during these months are a little sticky and humid but enjoyable!

The best time to visit Lombok would fall between July and August. However, this is the peak travel season, so visiting in the shoulder season of October and March is also a good idea!

Getting Around on Lombok

Lombok is generally quite easy to get around. I choose to rent a motorbike because it is cheap and this is how most of the local people get around.

However, you can also rent a car, pay a taxi driver, arrange a private driver for the day, or book organized day tours to the best places on the island. Unfortunately, there is a lack of bus transport on Lombok Indonesia. But, thankfully renting a bike or car is quite cheap.

If you'd prefer to book organized tours, I recommend searching Get Your Guide and Klook. They are the two most trusted booking sources on Lombok and since the pandemic, they offer free cancellations on all bookings.

Is Lombok Worth Visiting?

If you can't guess my answer by now, then I'll assume you've skipped the article altogether. Yes, of course, Lombok is worth visiting! In fact, I'd recommend it over Bali and other famous Indonesian islands for a few reasons.

• Lombok is still somewhat a hidden gem - there aren't crowds of tourists yet
• The people of Lombok are some of the friendliest on earth
• Lombok is one of the best surf destinations in Indonesia

More Lombok Photos

Did you enjoy this guide to visiting Lombok? It's one of my favorite adventure travel destinations on earth. Here are some more Lombok photos that I've captured during my visit.

After Lombok Indonesia: More Things to do & Travel Guides

I really hope that you've enjoyed this comprehensive travel guide to the best things to do on Lombok Indonesia! My goal as always is to inspire you to adventure and make the most of your trips.

If you have any suggestions for epic adventures in Lombok including more attractions, activities or hidden gems, or if you have any questions about visiting Lombok, then make sure to leave them in the comments below.

For now, why not check out some of my other travel guides and blogs for Indonesia below?

• 7 Best Waterfalls in Lombok - Indonesia
• Nusa Penida Island Guide - 12 Top Things to do in 2023
• Padar Island Hike - Best Sunrise Viewpoint in Indonesia?
• Pink Beach Komodo Island - Pink Sand Beach and Epic Snorkeling
• Rinca and Komodo Island: Komodo Dragon Island in Indonesia - TRAVEL GUIDE
• Traditional Sasak Coffee Making Practices in Ampenan, Lombok