While the main beachfront at Kuta Bay in Lombok presents a more rustic scene, home to a local fishing village and often littered, the true treasures of this region lie just a short scooter ride away. The area is a gateway to some of Indonesia's most spectacular coastlines and offers a surprising blend of laid-back culture and vibrant activities for every traveller.
Spectacular Beaches and World-Class Surf
Venturing west from Kuta unlocks a string of breathtaking bays. Just a 20-minute scooter ride away (with daily hires from around $5) lies Mawun Beach, a stunning horseshoe-shaped cove. Here, visitors find calm turquoise waters perfect for swimming, small shacks selling refreshments, and an offshore reef that creates rideable waves.
Continuing west for another 15 minutes leads to the picturesque Selong Belanak. This bay is lined with eateries, bars, and vendors offering sunbed, umbrella, and surfboard hire. As the most popular day-trip destination from Kuta, it's famed for its spectacular sunsets and relaxed summer atmosphere.
For those seeking more powerful surf, Mawi Beach awaits. It's only 2km south of Selong Belanak as the crow flies, but the journey takes about 20 minutes by scooter due to a mountain in the path. This secluded spot offers a Robinson Crusoe feel and is famous for its intermediate-to-advanced breaks. Surfers should note that, like many waves on Lombok's south coast, the breaks at Mawi are too far to paddle to; accessing them requires hiring a driver with a small boat.
Perhaps the most famous and accessible beach in the area is Tanjung Aan, located just a 10-minute ride east of Kuta town. This expansive, horseshoe-shaped beach stretches roughly 1.5km from end to end. Its soft white sand and clear turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and snorkelling, while two offshore reefs provide beginner-friendly surfing conditions.
Cultural Experiences and Creative Community
Beyond the sand, Kuta Lombok fosters a growing creative scene. The Kenza Club (found on Instagram at @thekenzaclub) operates as an art collective and school, hosting regular workshops. Coordinator Milou Verbeek from the Netherlands explains their weekly schedule: "Every Wednesday at 10am, we do a breakfast event where adults come together and we make things like jewellery, cosmetics and canvas bags. It's $30 per person with breakfast."
On Sundays, the club runs a kids' version, mixing local and tourist children for activities like painting, pizza, or cookie making. Milou also organises a night market beside Kenza Square on the second and last Saturday of each month. This market provides a platform for local and expat women to sell arts and crafts, featuring items like handwoven bags and eco-printed linen.
Sunset Sessions and Nightlife Vibes
The nightlife in Kuta caters primarily to the backpacker crowd, with much of the action centred on open-air beachfront bars such as Rasta Bar, Surf Bar, and Apaka Bar. These venues feature DJs and live bands nightly. Neighbouring spots KRNK and Cantina Mexicana also draw consistent crowds, hosting themed party nights like reggaeton sessions, Taco Tuesdays, and Cinco De Mayo celebrations.
For a more sophisticated evening, several restaurants located just out of town appeal to an older crowd. Establishments like Codium on Lancing Beach and the Ashtari Lounge and Kitchen offer elevated experiences. Ashtari, set on a hilltop about five minutes from town, is particularly renowned for its drop-dead beautiful views.
From its world-renowned surf breaks and pristine beaches to its emerging arts scene and vibrant sunset bars, Kuta Lombok proves to be a multifaceted destination offering far more than first meets the eye.
