STOP SCROLLING. If you’ve ever considered surfing in Lombok, Indonesia—this is your sign. 💥
So picture this. It's day two of my 12-day trip through this paradise, and I find myself standing in the sun-drenched streets of Kuta Lombok at 8:17 AM, flip-flops still damp from a pre-breakfast beach walk. My skin’s already tasting the salt in the air. Tour scooters buzz by. Palm trees sway like they’re on island time (they totally are).
And I have one burning question that a LOT of travelers have when they hit this place: Should I have brought my board?
The answer? NOPE. And here’s why.
After chatting with a few local surf shop owners (shoutout to Wayan at "MimpiManis Board Rentals" 🏄♂️), I found I could rent a decent shortboard for just 75,000–100,000 IDR a day—that’s less than 7 USD 😱. Weekly deals are even sweeter, around 400,000–500,000 IDR.
Best part? These aren’t busted-up, chipped foamies. We’re talking well-maintained shortboards, perfect for intermediates who just want to chase clean reef breaks without airline board fees or baggage gate drama.
But here’s when I knew Lombok was different.
It was around 4:45 PM. Golden hour. I’d just paddled out at Tanjung Aan beach with a borrowed 5’10” Aloha, light breeze behind me. The sun was dusting everything in gold. Locals were cheering each other on like it was Sunday league surf football. And this one mellow right-hand wave rolled in like it was made just for me. Not too steep, not too soft. Just enough to let me dance.
I took it. And suddenly, the sound disappeared. No engines. No noise. Just saltwater, speed, bliss.
That instant… bro, I swear, I just grinned like an idiot. That’s when I realized: Kuta Lombok isn’t trying to be Bali. It’s just being authentic.
That’s why it’s blowing up as one of the most viral Lombok Indonesia spots on TikTok and Insta. Raw beauty. Less crowds. Friendly locals.
Oh—and here's an insider tip that most tourists totally miss: head to Are Guling for sunrise. It's not the easiest place to get to (rent a scooter with good brakes 🙃), but MAN, those early morning glassy waves with NO ONE around? Worth every bumpy turn.
Oh and lol—relatable struggle incoming. Day three, I tried strapping my surfboard rental to the side of my scooter with nothing but a bungee cord and “hope.” Long story short, it slid halfway off mid-turn and almost turned into street art. Local kid shouted, “Mister, style no good!” 😂 Fair. I learned fast: use a proper surf rack, not your dog's leash.
But honestly, moments like that made it real. Messy, funny, memorable.
I left feeling recharged in a way I didn’t know I needed. Like I could breathe deeper. Like I'd tapped into something untouched.
And you know what took it over the top?
FlyLombok.id's aerial drone footage. I stumbled on their page while sipping coconut at Warung Turtle. Their transitions? Insane. They showed reefs I didn’t know were so close, secret coves hiding behind cliffs, and colors that made me do a legit double take. There’s something about seeing where you just surfed from ABOVE that makes it all feel epic.
If you ever needed a nudge… this is me, nudging HARD.
Lombok Indonesia is trending for all the right reasons. Get here before everyone does.