Kuta (Mandalika)
The south coast base for surf lessons and boat trips to nearby breaks, next to the Mandalika resort area and its street circuit.
Skip it if: you want a quiet village.
Bali · Lombok
Where to Stay in Lombok: Kuta, Selong Belanak, Senggigi or Senaru
Surf in the south, the west coast around Senggigi, or the foot of Mount Rinjani: how Lombok splits, and how to get there from Bali.
Quick answer
Kuta (Mandalika) for surf, beaches and the most choice in the south. Selong Belanak for learning to surf on a quieter bay. Senggigi on the west coast for easy boat links. Senaru if you are here to trek Mount Rinjani.
01 / Compare
Which area suits you
| Area | Best for | Feel | To the beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuta (Mandalika) | Surf and beaches | Surf town, growing fast | Close to the beach |
| Selong Belanak | Learning to surf | Wide, quieter bay | On the beach |
| Senggigi | Boat links and the west coast | The older tourist area | Close to the beach |
| Senaru | Mount Rinjani treks | Mountain village | Inland |
See where the places are
An interactive map of available stays, loaded from our booking partner. Nothing reaches them until you open it, and once open their own measurement tools run inside the map.
Star ratings are the ones declared on the booking platform. We do not rate hotels.
Hotel class:
Star ratings are the ones declared on the booking platform. We do not rate hotels.
02 / Areas
The areas, one by one
Selong Belanak
A bay west of Kuta where surf schools teach beginners and intermediates.
Skip it if: you want restaurants within walking distance.
Senggigi
The west coast area where fast boats from Bali stop, with dive centres and restaurants. It is a road transfer from the airport, which is in the south of the island.
Skip it if: you are here for surf.
Senaru
The village at the foot of Mount Rinjani where most trekking operators are based.
Skip it if: you want the beach.
03 / On the ground
Where locals actually go
Places we can point to by name, checked on the date below. No ratings, no sponsored entries: if a listing ever becomes a paid partnership, it will say so on this page.
Arriving and getting around
- By air · Lombok International Airport — The airport is in Central Lombok, in the south of the island: Kuta is the nearest base, and Senggigi is a road transfer away.
- By fast boat from Bali · To Senggigi or Bangsal — Several fast boat operators from Bali stop in Lombok, at Senggigi or Bangsal, on the same routes as the Gili Islands.
- Mount Rinjani · Senaru or Sembalun — 3,726 metres, trekked with local operators over two or three days. Operators say numbers are limited by a ticket quota: confirm the date before booking anything else.
- Volcano safety · Before you trek — UK government advice says volcanoes can erupt without warning and exclusion zones can change at short notice.
Independent businesses
- Surf Cult · Kuta Lombok — Surf school in Kuta Lombok offering beginner and intermediate lessons with local instructors in small groups, plus full-day surf trips to Ekas.
- Paradise Surf School Lombok · Kuta Lombok — Surf school in Kuta Lombok offering personalised surf lessons for all levels with instructors.
- Rama Surf School · Kuta Lombok — Surf school in Kuta Lombok offering surf lessons, surfboard rental and board repairs at its surf shop.
- Roy Reef Lombok Surf School · Kuta Lombok — Surf lessons in Kuta Lombok with local instructors, from beginner to advanced classes in small groups.
- Doyock Surf School · Selong Belanak — Surf school at Selong Belanak offering lessons for beginners and intermediates with local instructors.
- Aqia Surf · Selong Belanak — Surf school and hire shop at Selong Belanak offering surf packages and trips from beginner to advanced level.
- Rinjani Trekking Organizer · Senaru — Mount Rinjani trekking operator based on Jl. Pariwisata in Senaru, with packages including guide, porters, camping gear and park entrance fees.
- Senaru Trekking · Senaru — Locally operated trekking agency in Senaru offering Mount Rinjani trek packages, with its licence number printed on its site.
- Rinjani Trekking Official · Senaru — Rinjani trekking operator on Jln. Pariwisata Senaru, Bayan, which checks eRinjani ticket quotas before confirming treks.
- Bas Rinjani Trekking Senaru · Senaru — Senaru-based organiser of Mount Rinjani treks, with packages covering guides, porters, equipment, transport and entry fees.
- Jou Trekking Rinjani · Senaru — Mount Rinjani trekking operator on Jl. Pariwisata, Senaru, offering 2D1N and 3D2N treks via the Senaru, Sembalun and Torean routes.
- Authentic Rinjani · Rinjani (Senaru / Sembalun) — Locally owned Rinjani trekking operator, registered with the Mount Rinjani National Park authority, running eco trekking and trash-free tours.
- Kenza Restaurant · Kuta Lombok — Restaurant on Jl. Raya Kuta in Kuta Lombok, open from 12pm to 11pm, which also offers catering and events.
- El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant · Kuta Lombok — Restaurant in Kuta Lombok serving Mediterranean, Spanish and Moroccan dishes including seafood, mezze and steaks.
- Knalpot Restaurant & Bar · Kuta Lombok — Restaurant and cocktail bar on the main road of Kuta, set around a tropical poolside.
- Treehouse Restaurant & Bar · Kuta Lombok — Open-air restaurant and bar in Kuta Lombok serving comfort food, fresh seafood, cocktails and steak nights.
- Soirée · Kuta Lombok — All-day venue in Kuta Lombok combining café, coworking space, bar and live music, with trivia and salsa nights.
- Elamu Lombok · Kuta Lombok — Greek restaurant on Jalan Pantai in Kuta Lombok.
- Square Restaurant & Lounge · Senggigi — Restaurant and lounge in Senggigi serving lunch and dinner, with a wine and drinks list and event hosting.
- Lombok Dive · Senggigi — Local dive centre with its main office at the Senggigi Art Market, offering diving and snorkeling trips around Lombok and the Gili Islands.
- Blow Bubbles Divers · Sekotong — Dive centre in Sekotong running fun dives and courses around the Secret Gilis of south-west Lombok, with no more than four divers per guide.
- Lombok Private Tours · Lombok (island-wide) — Private tours and transfers around Lombok with a local guide, including waterfall, snorkeling and rice-field day tours.
04 / Getting there
Arriving, and staying connected
Flights, the airport transfer, an eSIM for your phone and car rental, through our partners. Prices and availability are theirs at the moment you click.
05 / Questions
Frequently asked
How do you get to Lombok from Bali?
By plane to Lombok International Airport, in the south of the island, or by fast boat to Senggigi or Bangsal, on the same routes as the Gili Islands.
Where should I stay in Lombok for surf?
Kuta (Mandalika) for the most choice, or Selong Belanak, where surf schools teach beginners and intermediates on a quieter bay.
When is the surf season in south Lombok?
The south-east trade winds usually give good conditions from late March to September or later.
Can I climb Mount Rinjani?
Yes, with local trekking operators, most of them based in Senaru. Operators say the mountain closes during the rainy season, usually from January to March, and that numbers are limited: check the dates before you book.
Last verified: 28 September 2026
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Sources: Lombok International Airport · Gili Getaway, routes · UK government travel advice, Indonesia