Central Lombok

Understand

The central inland part of South Lombok is generally low-lying with undulating hills and is commonly utilised for rice paddies and growing tobacco leaf. Toward the southern coast it is dryer and more denuded with some undulating hilly areas of between 100-355 m above sea level.

This part of the island remains essentially agrarian in activity. The central south is more fertile and productive and the southern coastal areas are less fertile due to lower rainfall, land clearing and soil degradation. Toward the south west coast it becomes a little less dry and a little more fertile than the south central coastal margins. Mount Rinjani supplies a rainfall catchment area to the north of the region and several rivers flow into central Lombok from the mountains southern slopes. Villages on the lower slopes of Rinjani support activities such as traditional weaving, pottery and handicraft production. The sea off Lombok's southern coastline supports a small local fishing industry, a fish market, a pearling industry and seaweed harvesting. The south of the island is not heavily populated and many areas are quite remote and can be quite difficult to get to. The southern areas of Lombok are becoming increasingly popular with international visitors and the surf beaches of the southern coastline are popular with more intrepid international surfers as well as a growing number of local people on Lombok.

Getting there

1 Lombok International Airport (BIL) (LOP IATA) is south west of Praya in south central Lombok. This new international airport will provide facilities for wide bodied aircraft and more modern terminal facilities and cargo facilities. Please see the main Lombok article for more details on the new international airport and connecting services to South Lombok. Public buses and bemo run to and from the west coast and the city of Mataram. Similar services are available to connect through from the north of the island via Pusuk pass from Pemenang near the small Bangsal harbour that serves as the primary access point from Gili Islands. If arriving at Labuhan Lombok by ferry from Sumbawa only limited services are available on the east coast to connect to Praya in Central Lombok, south toward Kuta or west toward the city of Mataram and West Lombok. To use public buses and bemo serving the southern region a traveller would need to have a good understanding both of the area and the vagaries of the interconnections and services. It would be far easier and more expedient to either use a taxi, rent a car and driver or to use a service such as that provided by Perama tours to access the south of Lombok. Vehicle and passenger ferries: South Lombok is serviced from both the east and west coast of the island. From the east coast Labuhan Lombok has basic facilities to receive the ferries that ply the Alat Strait from Sumbawa.

Alat Strait: Labuhan Lombok - from: Pototano, Sumbawa with 8 ferries providing 18 crossings per day. From the west coast Tanjung Lembar seaport provides facilities for the passenger ferries from Bali, passenger carrying ships visiting Lombok, small freighters and fishing boats.

Lombok Strait: Lembar, Lombok - from: Padangbai, Bali, with 12 ferries providing 24 crossings per day. Metered taxis normally operate in the southern area of Lombok however they will be hard to find in the more remote areas. Bookings can be made in advance by calling their radio dispatch

Getting around

Take a guided tour of a village or a section of the forest with a local guide Walk on your own and explore the western coastline Rent a bike in Senggigi or some of the hotels supply them Rent a car Rent a motor bike Please see the main Lombok article article for more detailed information on driving in Lombok and ensure you obtain and use a helmet when riding a motor bike.

See

Tanjung A'an is a beautiful area near the Kuta Beach. The sand is unique that it looks like pepper.

Beaches

The south coast is a maze of inlets and headlands with beautiful secluded white sand beaches. Some of them quite isolated, remote and with limited access.. Well worth your while is the short distance from the Lembar harbor west to the next bay at Labu. Notable beaches are:

Gerupuk Awang Tanjung A'nn Seger Selong Belanak Mawi Beach Pantai Tomang Are Guling Pantai Pengatap Rowok Torok Aik Belek Mawun

Caves If sea isn't your thing, you can explore some cave like 1 Goa Alam Raksasa Tanjung Ringgit and 2 Goa Jepang.

Cultural heritage Objects of cultural heritage in this part of the island include Sade Hamlet, Hamlet NDE, a location of a traditional housing, traditional villages, local arts and traditional ceremonies. Mosque Mount Pujut is a historic local mosque. Other historic attractions are the tomb of King Pejanggik, the tomb of Nyatok, and Clack Tomb and Mausoleum, the tomb of Serewe Islamic religious figures.

Do

Surfing Surfing is very popular with local and international visitors and the south coast has some popular destinations for international surfers and travellers. Fishing villages, grouper fish cultivation, pearl cultivation, the traditional fish market and coral reefs also attract visitors to this part of Lombok. Other attractions lie in the hills of central lombok rising toward Mount Rinjani. South Lombok supports an industry of traditional weaving and handicraft production. Individual tourists or tour guides often arrange small personalised tours or private visits to see traditional weaving and other handicraft production or to see religious and cultural ceremonies. The southern coast of Lombok offers the island’s best surfing spots thanks to its exposure to the open ocean, receiving big swells year-round. Most activity is concentrated around Kuta and Gerupuk, with waves for every level. Main surf spots:

1 Ekas Bay — Remote and less crowded, with two main breaks: Inside Outside Right 2 Seger Beach 3 Are Guling 4 Pantai Kuta 5 Mawi Beach - Consistent and powerful reef break with barrels on good days. Best for experienced surfers. Access via rough road. 6 Selong Belanak — Long sandy bay ideal for beginners. Plenty of surf schools line at the beach. 7 Desert Point (Bangko-Bangko) — Legendary world-class left-hand barrel for experts only. Long, perfect tubes over shallow reef. Access by dirt road. About 2h drive from Kuta.

Eat

The south has quite a few restaurants, some catering to tourists, more so in the Kuta area. The region has many small warungs and local eating houses selling local food at very reasonable prices. Be cautious with hygiene and ensure you are clear about what you are ordering.

Drink & nightlife

Licensed premises such as hotels and some restaurants may serve alcohol. Do not expect a bar service or alcoholic drinks to be served in other than the larger hotels and please respect local sensibilities by avoiding drinking openly in public whilst in Lombok. Local coffee, tea, fruit juices, coconut juice and softdrinks (sodas) are normally readily available.

Sleep

Kuta is only 17 km from Lombok International Airport, while Senggigi in West Lombok is 47