Looking to get off-the-beaten path in Lombok? This guide will explore some of the best things to do in Sekotong Lombok for the adventure traveler.
Although only a short hop from popular Senggigi and Kuta Lombok, Sekotong is relatively untouched by tourism. As a result, those that make the trip will be rewarded with an authentic Lombok travel experience, from incredible islands to Jurassic coastlines!
Where is Sekotong?
Before we dive right into the best things to do in Sekotong Lombok, you might be asking “where is Sekotong?” Sekotong Barak is located in the southwest corner of Lombok Island, Indonesia. It makes up a large section of the southwest region and has some unique coastlines and epic islands to explore.
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How to Get to Sekotong?
Getting to Sekotong is relatively easy whether you’re coming from Senggigi, Kuta Lombok, Lombok International Airport or even Bali!
However, since solid tourism infrastructure isn’t established in Sekotong yet, you’ll have to organize the transport yourself. We paid approximately $17 USD from Senggigi for a Blue Bird Taxi which we split. This is probably going to be the cheapest and easiest solution to how to get to Sekotong.
Expect roughly 1.5-2 hours for the trip to Sekotong from both Senggigi and Kuta Lombok.
If you’re arriving from Lombok Airport, I’d recommend booking a pre-arranged private transfer here. This will save you having to pay ridiculous prizes coming out of the gate.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling in a group, you could also rent a car to explore the entire island of Lombok yourself. Click here to compare all of the best car-hire deals in Lombok, straight from the airport.
DON’T MISS THE COMPLETE LIST OF THINGS TO DO ON LOMBOK ISLAND!
5 Best Things to do in Sekotong Lombok
Ready to divert off the beaten path? Let’s dive straight into the best things to do in Sekotong Lombok!
1. Gili Nanggu Sekotong Snorkeling Trip
Arguably the most popular of the things to do in Sekotong Lombok is to visit the epic Sekotong snorkeling island of Gili Nanggu. This island is only a short 20-minute hop from the small boat harbor near Lembar in Sekotong.
To get here, you can try to barter a boat price at the ferry terminal. Typically, these boats take between 6-10 people and can stop at some of the other Sekotong islands on the way.
The Gili Nanggu boat price will vary depending on the boat and where you book it. However, will generally range between 200 000 – 300 000 Rupiah per person. If you’re looking to book ahead, you can also arrange the boat trip to Gili Nanggu here.
This island is famous for its healthy coral reef and huge schools of fish. While you won’t find clubs and bars here like in Gili Trawangan, you’ll instead get to explore a quiet tropical island surrounded by epic coral reef and marine life.
2. Sekotong Islands 3-Island Snorkeling and Camping Trip
One of my absolute favorite adventures in Sekotong and probably all of Lombok was an epic overnight island hopping and camping trip.
I booked this trip with Feel Lombok, a locally run family tourist operator. We started by snorkeling on Gili Nanggu, cruising through the Sekotong islands and finished off by spending the night on a tiny sandbar island known as Gili Kedis.
You can read more about the Sekotong island hopping trip here.
Southwest Gili Islands – Sekotong Camping Video
3. Explore the Epic Sekotong Beaches
Not only does Sekotong have 12 large “Secret Gili” islands to explore, you’ll also find some of the best beaches in Lombok in this southwestern region!
The best way to explore the beaches and coastline is to rent your own motorbike. However, this can be a little harder to organize than in places like Kuta Lombok. One of the only places I found that was willing to rent a motorbike was located next to Krisna Bungalows. The price was 60 000 Rupiah per day.
Once you’ve got your two wheels, I’d suggest heading west on the northern coast to Elak Elak Beach. This is an epic, white sand beach with a small island that you can walk out to on low tide!
Another one of my favorite beaches in the area is Mekaki Beach. To get here, you’ll need to ride over the mountains through the Central Sekotong interior until you reach the southern coastline. Visiting Mekaki Beach is easily one of the best things to do in Sekotong and arguably one of Lombok’s best-kept secrets! It’s an epic beach for both surfing and just chilling out. The best part is, we had the entire stretch of beach all to ourselves.
READ MORE: 4 BEST BEACHES IN SEKOTONG – SOUTHWEST LOMBOK
While it’s certainly possible to rent a bike in Sekotong and explore the beaches Alternatively, you could also book a cheap, private tour of all of these beaches online.
4. Explore the New Mountain Roads By Motorbike
On the way back from Mekaki Beach, you’ll find a newly constructed road (2019) that winds its way along the hilly southern coastline of Sekotong. In my opinion, riding a motorbike through this mountain road is easily one of the best things to do in Sekotong.
The road is in incredible condition, which 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 and following it all the way around before diverting North back to Lembar.
5. Go Scuba Diving
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to go Scuba Diving in Sekotong. However, Sekotong is known as one of the best diving locations in Lombok, especially if you’re into macro life!
There are a few dive centers in Sekotong, and since the location is a little far from the main tourist beats, you’ll get a great diving deal here!
Most of the dive shops are located near Pelangan, but if you book online most shops should offer free transport from Lembar or accommodation closer to the harbor.
Where to Stay in Sekotong
Since this regency is a little tucked away. To save money on transport, I’d recommend staying in this largely unexplored part of Lombok Indonesia for a couple of nights to check out all the best things to do. Here are my top picks for budget accommodation.
- Cocotinos Sekotong Lombok – The property overlooks the incredible secret Gilli islands, has a large outdoor beachfront pool, a wellness center, and has its very own digital nomad video editing room. A great choice for those wanting a quiet location.
- Krisna Bungalows and Restaurant – located in Pelangan, not too far from Sekotong harbor. Each double room is equipped with a fan and bathroom and is conveniently located in a quiet area. You’ll also get a free breakfast.
- Silver Fern Beach Retreat if you’re looking for a place in Lombok Indonesia to escape the crowds, meet some great people and unwind by the swimming pool, then this is it. Breakfast is included and the owners can organize loads of tours and activities in Lombok.
Over to You
There we have it. That wraps up my list of the best things to do in Sekotong! Unfortunately, there were a couple of other things I wanted to check out but didn’t have the time.
If you get an opportunity to see the world-famous surfing beach known as Desert Point, then definitely let me know how it is.
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