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Sun, sea, scuba and starry nights skies set Lombok apart from other destinations for adventure holidays. This island has it all and more. From trekking an active volcano and surfing to swimming under a waterfall and diving with turtles, activities in Lombok are suitable for friends, families, couples and solo travellers.
Here are our top five recommendations for things to do in Lombok Island:
Most trekking tours of Mount Rinjani aim to reach the summit for sunrise or sunset, and many advise a 2 to 4-day trek itinerary for you to make the most of this breathtaking destination. Treks are usually guided by local professionals, with a team of porters to carry supplies so you can focus on the panoramic views. Open from April to January each year, Mount Rinjani has a number of peaks around its crater lake (Segara Anak Lake). The summit of Mount Rinjani is the highest of these, standing at 3,126 metres above sea level. Not for the faint-hearted, a trek up Mount Rinjani is definitely one of the best things to do in Lombok island and maybe even in your lifetime.
Ferries from Lombok’s Senggigi harbour to the Gili Islands take around 30 minutes and depart regularly throughout the day. Palm fringed, with white sand beaches, turquoise seas and no motorised transport, this trio of tiny islands each has its own distinct identity.
Gili Trewangan is the nightlife capital, with bars and clubs hosting full moon parties, and a glitzy beachfront strip with glowing neon lights. Visitors here are generally a younger, backpacker crowd. Gili Meno is the quietest of the three, popular with honeymooners looking for a slice of paradise. Gili Meno also has the best snorkelling and diving. Gili Air has a decent bar scene and a laid back vibe. It also has a large indigenous Sasak community, whom you can visit to purchase handmade souvenirs of your time in Lombok.
One of the most authentic things to do in Lombok Island is to experience Sasak tribal community life. Sade Cultural Tourism Village has been protected by the government in recent years to help promote traditional weaving and preserve traditional Sasak ways of living. These include building houses from clay, bamboo and woven roofing, pre-conjugal elopement and Islamic customs for prayer and worship. Visitors here can purchase handwoven fabrics particular to the Sasak tribe.
With powdery soft white sand, calm waters and a backdrop of lush green mountains, Selong Belanak Beach is worth visiting just to refresh the eyes. However, if you are keen to try surfing, this is also the best place in Lombok to do so. The waters are shallow, there is no rip and the waves are sufficient to get you standing. Should you be visiting with little ones, this is the perfect place to get them on a surfboard for the first time. The floating deck just off shore is also a fun target to swim to, then relax on in the sunshine. If you are still at Selong Belanak beach in the late afternoon, you can also watch the farmers driving their water buffalo home along the sands.
A trek here will reveal two majestic waterfalls secreted along lush, forested walking paths. Starting near the foothills of Mount Rinjani, Sendang Gile is the first waterfall along the route, approximately an hour or so in. The culmination of streams flowing from the hills and joining into rivers that form the falls, Sendang Gile is a lovely spot to take a refreshing natural shower.
The magnificent Tiu Kelep waterfall is framed by a rounded natural wall and tumbles over the vines that grow from it. The pool here is a wonderful place for a dip. Both falls can be reached without a guide and are best visited in the dry season (May to October), when the paths are less slippery. At the end of your adventuring, a relaxing stay at the best resort in Lombok is exactly what you deserve. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Lombok offers traditional thatched accommodation, open air spa suites and the best restaurants in Lombok.
Published on: December 27, 2024
