Visit the best beaches in Indonesia
The beaches in Indonesia are known for their impressive diversity, ranging from crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores to secluded bays and stunning coral reefs. Traditional fishing villages, local markets, and the unique culture make a trip to Indonesia a truly special experience.
Last autumn, passionate surfer and skier Leeloo had the chance to go on an island-hopping tour to incredible places in Indonesia – away from the tourist crowds, in calm places with warm waves, surrounded by the gorgeous landscapes of the Nusa Tenggara Islands. Discover her personal recommendations for the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia.
Kertasari in West Sumbawa
There's not much to do in and around this bay in West Sumbawa except sunbathe on the white-sand beaches, watch the sunsets, and surf dramatic waves.
Three minutes by scooter from Leeloo's bungalow, there's a particularly peaceful, secluded beach, hidden in a small bay under a handful of palm trees with hills overlooking the idyll.
There are three surf spots here, all accessible by paddling:
- "Dirty Hippies," a tubular left on a reef
- "Northern Right," a long right unrolling across coral reefs
- "Middle," a straight line in the middle of the bay
When you leave the beach, you'll immediately find the waves rolling over multicolored coral heads in the translucent water with only sea turtles as companions in the line-up. Leeloo was able to surf here for almost three weeks, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. Kertasari is a must-visit if you’re looking for a calm and peaceful surf trip – it's one of Indonesia's best kept secrets.
Where to stay: Leeloo recommends the Kertasari Lodge
The Kertasari Lodge comes highly recommended by Leeloo. The bungalows are simply amazing and very comfortable; plus, there's an infinity pool with breathtaking views of the bay where you can enjoy one of the most stunning sunsets in Indonesia.
There are only a few resorts in the area, and this one especially blew her mind. She felt very comfortable in the serene atmosphere of this location.
A secret surfer's paradise: Ekas Village on Lombok
Farther from the crowds, off the beaten path, there's a place that's totally hidden.
Ekas is a tiny village in the southeast of the small island of Lombok. When you arrive, you'll soon realize there is no supermarket, no ATM, only a few hotels and two or three warung (warung are small eateries that serve local food, often out of a family's home).
Leeloo and her friends arrived there by taxi, with all their board bags, and soon discovered that finding a scooter with racks to hold their surfboards was going to be more complicated than expected. Fortunately, they snagged the very last scooter.
Then they were off to Ekas, a quiet, wild place with very few people, except for the surf boats arriving from Kuta Lombok. The group went on some short hikes, taking in the natural beauty of the unique beaches and the ocean views while walking in the forest and climbing the cliffs, and then paddled on their surfboards for 10-20 minutes to reach the nearby surf spots.
How to prepare for the waves on Lombok
From the white sands of the beach, the waves are just a short distance away. Toward the cliffs there's "Outside," a long left wave that was powerful when conditions permitted. "Inside," a more sheltered left in the bay, is smaller in size and more relaxed for longboard surfers.
Leeloo's favorite wave in this area was the "Beach Break" wave in the middle of the main bay. When the conditions are right, surf breaks allow you to surf waves of one meter and higher sequentially.
It's important to prepare for your arrival beforehand!
- Ask the lodge to rent a scooter in advance.
- Make sure to withdraw cash from an ATM before traveling to Ekas.
- Do research beforehand to find out which wave is best for your level of ability.
Meet the surf community: Gerupuk in Kuta Lombok
This tiny town is full of restaurants, bars, and surf shops. It's much more crowded than the previous two places in our guide, but that also gives visitors an opportunity to reconnect with the world and the community of Indonesian surfers.
In Kuta Lombok, the surf spots are accessible by road, with scooters to get you to Gerupuk Bay. From here, you'll have to take a boat to reach the bay. Several surfing spots are accessible:
- "Outside" (outside the bay)
- "Inside" (a wave that's more enclosed in the bay)
- "Don Don" (a left located right at the entrance)
Leeloo's favorite wave was "Inside," and she thinks it's an especially great place for longboarding.
Don't come here expecting a secluded beach with only a handful of other visitors, because this is a popular spot with plenty of beginner surfers being supervised by local surf teachers. Leeloo's group always took the boat with Roy, a friendly local surfer who had become a friend by the end of their weeks of surfing here.
As there are more people here, it's important to respect the basic rules of surfing:
- Say hello when you arrive in the water.
- Wait your turn at the peak.
- Go around at the end of your wave.
- Pay attention to priorities.
These rules apply to all spots around the globe, but in Leeloo's opinion, they're even more important when there are lots of people in the water.
In terms of accommodation, there are a multitude of hotels and Airbnbs in Kuta Lombok at very affordable prices. There are also gyms, massage places, shops, and lots of great little restaurants throughout the small town of Kuta Lombok.
For an easy surf trip with all the comforts of home, this is a place that's accessible and simple to get around once there – and offers some of the best beaches in Indonesia. On her surf trips around the world, Leeloo always takes her MYMARINI swimwear for surfing with her.
Contributor
