Kuta Lombok

Surf

1 June 2026

Indonesia comprises of many thousands of islands, with Bali being the most popular. To the east of Bali is Lombok, an island the same size as Bali but with far less people and crowds, a much less commercial vibe and without the hustle and bustle. Only 35 kilometres of sea across the Lombok Strait separates the islands but the cultural distinctions are considerable as Bali is predominantly Hindu and Lombok Islamic.

Lombok has more coastline facing directly south into the predominant swell direction, with the many bays along the coast offering protection. There are a dozen reef breaks within an hour’s drive of Kuta, the main and biggest town on the island, although it is still a small fishing village. Pretty much all the waves here are reef breaks, requiring short boat rides out to meet them. 

There is still a strong surf culture in Lombok, though, due to the consistency of the swell that Indonesia provides. The breaks work all year round but early June is good with lighter winds, which is early dry season. Lombok is most famous for the left-hand break Desert Point which, on its day, is considered one of the best waves in the world. 

I’m back in Indo three years since stopping in Caangu on my way to relocating to New Zealand. With so many well-known surf islands across the country, I would like to continue exploring them. Bali is an easy flight away from Auckland so I thought I’d come for a winter break, looking for warm water, all-day sessions and long rides with multiple turns.

After flying Wellington to Auckland, then to Bali, a short 30 minute hop to Lombok brought me to my destination for a week in Kuta. After being picked up by a driver, the first time I’ve had my name on a board with someone waiting for me, my first reaction out of the airport was the unmistakeable smell of the warm air mixed with some dust, fumes and incense. It brought back great memories from three years though and I was very happy to be here.

The plan was simple, as usual with surf trips, which is why I’ve come to enjoy them so much. Days are focused on maximising surf. We’d head down to the water for a 2-3 hour morning surf, come home and eat, sleep and chill out, strecth, sauna and ice bath. Then evening photo or video analysis of my surfing throughout the week kept me humble. The forecast for the week when I arrived was looking promising. Low winds, likely waist high waves everyday. I woke at 4.30-5.00 am everyday, first due to some jetlag but then to the roosters and/or the Call to Prayer. This suited me though and I’d have breakfast and read, then we’d head off to surf at around 6.30. Surfing here is best early morning before the wind develops over the Indian Ocean. Air temperatures were 30-32 degrees for the week and water temperature was 28!

Tanjung Aan

Day one brought our group to Tanjung A’an, a short drive east of Kuta to the beach and then a boat a couple of hundred metres out to the break. Tanjung Aan is a horseshoe shaped bay with both right and left breaks, very turquoise water and fine white powder sand. A peaceful beach allowed a quiet early morning prep whilst looking out at pumping waves.

This was going to be my first reef break surf, and also first time getting boat out to a break. I found it so nice having a clear channel and rotation in and out. Although there was probably 50 people on the wave though, so crowds factor was maxed out. As I’m used to beach breaks, where surfers can spread out along the baeach, it was new to me to have a lot of surfers packed into a smaller take-off zone for a reef break. It was nice to be able to sit outside in the channel though and watch from the comfort of the flat water and be able to jump into the waves easily.

The vibe was high though, meaning it was noisy with stoke, laughter and wooping. Lots to adjust to with a lot of distractions visual and acoustically which made me mess up my pop up a few times. We enjoyed strong waiste to chest high waves and I had a handful of rides for several hundred metres. I think I doubled my wave riding time in my life today alone! 

Post surf coconut hits the spot

We returned to Tanjung Aan later in the week on our fourth day of surf, when the forecast was considerably bigger than on our first day, with considerably more power. Turning up to the beach a few of us were concerned it woudl be too much for us, but thankfull as the tide came in the full force forecasted didn’t quite materialise. A tough session though, despite my shoulders feeling strong I had a tough session with less waves than the first day.

Gerepuk Bay

Gerepuk Inside - Coco’s - Don Don’s

Day two and three we headed to Gerepuk Bay, which was just a little further to the east of Kuta. Gerepuk was a cool little fishing village, with various modern surf shops and cafes which we’d hang out in post-surf. Lots of fishing boats here and as we motored out of the harbour we could see all the seaweed bamboo frames in the water which the villagers live off of.

Our first session here was a long one, with the boat waiting with us so we could pop back for food, water and zinc. The first hour or so we had a drone up filming us and it was nice and quiet, with glassy water and ideal temperatures. A shorter and mellower wave than yesterday but that was balance with a far easier paddle back and much less crowds. a very peaceful vibe. 

As the morning progressed the spot filled up, so after a short break on the boat we moved over to Coco’s and it was was quiet, only about 10 people out. Even more mellow waves but nice to get a few more. 

Day three we returned to Gerepuk Bay but headed for Don Don’s, just one break over from yesterday. Mellow day, waves not much power. Caught a couple, missed a lot. Shoulders feeling tired and not quite enough power for the mellow waves. 

In the evening, we headed down to the coast for a midweek sunset and BBQ night at Seger.

Awang Bay

Awang Harbour - Ekas Inside

For days five and six we headed further east again, to Awang Harbour. Jumping off the jetty and paddling out to the break early morning, the water and sunrise was incredible, especially with Mount Rinjani in the background. We took our time once in the harbour, waiting for the tide to come in so more water would be between us and the reef. Although this still caught me out and I came away with several decent-sized reef cuts.

The harbour break was a tidy little right-hand break, with more remote feeling as a longer drive and only a few people around. The wave had a much smaller takeoff point and so could hold fewer people. 

From the jetty we paddled a good 500 metre to the break, where the wave closed quickly so an angled takeoff and a quick right turn needed straight away. I caught the reef on my first wave and could even stand up! Third or fourth wave turned out to be my best of the trip! A couple of nice pumps on my forehand. 

We returned to the harbour for our last day or surfing, although this time we’d jump on a boat and head out to the other side of the bay. It was another super glassy morning and another beautiful sunrise at the harbour. This was the longest boat ride of the trip, still only 15 minutes though. 

The backdrop behind the wave with sand cliffs was my favourite of the trip, this break felt particularly speacial. The waves we a decent side but a lot weren’t breaking. So had to make a call at the very last minute on whether to paddle for one or not. It was also my first time only going left in a while. Tough but fun to mix it up. 

Double shakas

Further info

Related reading:
- Indo Surf & Lingo, Peter Neely
- The Indo Surf Bible
- Surf Odyssey - The Culture of Wave Riding, Gestalten
- The Surf Atlas, Gestalten
- Barbarian Days - A Surfing Life, William Finnegan
- Surf Is Where You Find It, Jerry Lopez

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