Hey legend,
So you're heading to Lombok in a few weeks with a board, some stoke, and zero patience for crowded lineups. Sounds like you've got the right idea. I did a similar trip a couple years back—ten days, no real plan, hungry for surf and adventure. And man, I made just about every mistake possible. So here’s what I wish someone had told me before I strapped a board to a wonky motorbike and hit the road.
When I Learned the Hard Way
On day four I thought I was smooth-talking my way onto a local ferry in Kayangan Port with my rented scooter and a longboard bungee-corded to the side. Long story short: I ended up waist-deep in water trying to shimmy the bike up a plank that clearly wasn’t rated for tourist antics. Locals were laughing, I lost one of my flip-flops, and I smelled like diesel fumes for two days.
Moral of the story? Yeah, you CAN take your motorbike on a boat—but only if you plan it smart.
Step-by-Step: How to Actually Do It Right
If you’ve got 10 days and want to explore East of Lombok (Sumbawa, maybe even Flores), here’s how to make it smooth:
- Rent Your Motorbike in Kuta (Lombok):
- Start in Kuta, Southern Lombok. It’s central to the best breaks (Mawi, Gerupuk, Seger).
- Cost: Around 70,000-100,000 IDR/day ($5–$7 USD). Tell them you’re taking it east; they’ll give you a sturdier model.
- Make sure the rack can hold a board securely. Double check the tires and brakes.
- Get Comfortable Navigating Lombok First:
- Spend a few days surfing around Lombok before aiming for other islands.
- Intermediate spots like Ekas and Are Guling are less crowded and super worthy.
- Plan Your Ferry Crossing to Sumbawa:
- Head to Kayangan Port in East Lombok.
- Take the public ferry to Poto Tano (Sumbawa). Ferry runs every hour or so.
- Costs:
- Passenger: ~25,000 IDR ($1.60 USD)
- With motorbike: ~115,000 IDR total ($7.50 USD)
- It’s fine to strap the board to your bike, but bring bungee cords AND a sarong to wrap around delicate fins (learned that the hard way too).
- Just Boat Around? Not Easily:
- Boat-hopping without your own organized tour gets tricky once you leave the main islands.
- Local fishing boats might take you to nearby coastlines if you pay, but this isn’t Bali. There’s zero formal schedule.
- If you skip the bike and go by boat only, you’re limiting your reach dramatically.
- Where to Actually Go in East Nusa Tenggara:
- Sumbawa:
- Lakey Peak is world-class and surprisingly quiet. Big barrel potential.
- You’ll need to ride about 5–6 hours from Poto Tano.
- Accommodations are chill – think budget losmen for 150,000 IDR/night (around $10).
- Hu’u:
- A solid stop for intermediate surfers. Less intense than Lakey Peak, and fewer people.
- Dompu: Quiet town, decent food, decent waves. Fuel up here.
- Avoid trying to cram Flores or Komodo into this leg unless you’ve got more than 10 days—it’s logistically messy and not ideal for land-based surfing.
What to Avoid (Because I Didn’t)
- Don’t assume ATMs are everywhere: ALWAYS stock cash before leaving Lombok. There’s one sketchy ATM in Lakey and it’s often empty.
- Skip random fishing boat deals: You might get stuck or scammed. If it’s not a registered ferry or pre-arranged through homestay staff, don’t do it.
- Don’t ride after dark: Potholes, no streetlights, stray cows. Plan to arrive somewhere by mid-afternoon.
Backup Plan
Things go sideways? Here’s your safety net:
- If your motorbike breaks down, locals can usually fix it—but they may not have parts. Carry spare spark plugs and learn how to check your oil.
- Can’t make the ferry in time? Stay overnight near Kayangan Port (basic stay: Rp 100,000 or $6 USD).
- Go slower. If you can’t make Sumbawa worth it in the timeframe, just dig deeper into hidden gems of Lombok—like Bangko-Bangko (Desert Point) if the swell lines up.
Cultural Notes That’ll Help
- “Permisi, saya mau ke…” (Excuse me, I want to go to…): Use when asking directions.
- Smile even when confused: You’ll get further with kindness than fluency in Bahasa.
- Be modest off the beach. Shirt on, sarong ready, especially in villages.
Money-Saving Hack
Need surf wax, repair kits, or an extra leash? Buy in Mataram or Kuta on Lombok before heading east. In Sumbawa, surf supplies are scarce and overpriced—if you can even find them.
One Bonus Tip: Scout From The Sky
You’ll waste less time chasing bad waves if you know where the swell actually hits. I started using FlyLombok.id lately — their aerial tours let you spot reef setups, road access, and even figure out if there's a warung close to the point. Saves gas, saves sanity.
Go chase that barrel. Play it a little smarter than I did, and you’re in for the surf trip of your life.
Stay salty,
Your wise, wave-hungry mate