Lombok’s beaches are the main reason the island attracts visitors — and they are genuinely exceptional. The south coast in particular has a concentrated stretch of bays, coves, and surf breaks that rivals the Bukit Peninsula in Bali for visual quality while seeing a fraction of the crowd. The key difference from Bali: getting between beaches requires planning, since public transport does not connect them and the roads, while scenic, take time.
This guide covers the best beaches by location, what each offers, and how to approach a day on the south coast.
Quick Reference
| Beach | Swim | Surf | Crowds | Entry fee | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanjung Aan | Excellent | Moderate | Low–moderate | IDR 10,000 | 20 min from Kuta |
| Selong Belanak | Good | Beginner breaks | Moderate | IDR 10,000 | 30 min from Kuta |
| Mawun | Good (east end) | Moderate | Low | IDR 10,000 | 30 min from Kuta |
| Kuta Lombok | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | None | Town centre |
| Pink Beach (Tangsi) | Excellent | Calm | Low | IDR 20,000 | 45 min east of Kuta |
| Gili Trawangan | Good | Calm | High | IDR 50,000 visitor tax | Fast boat from Bangsal |
| Gili Air | Good | Calm | Moderate | None | Fast boat from Bangsal |
South Coast Beaches
Tanjung Aan
The best beach on Lombok by most measures. A double-crescent bay with both fine white sand and a peppered (larger grain) section separated by a small headland, giving the beach two distinct characters in a single visit. The water is turquoise and calm enough for comfortable swimming through most of the year. A viewpoint at Bukit Merese sits on the headland above the bay and gives the sweeping aerial view that most photos of Lombok’s south coast use.
Access: 10 km east of Kuta Lombok by sealed road. Entry IDR 10,000 as of 2026. Basic warungs at the beach sell fresh coconut (IDR 15,000) and nasi campur. Parking for motorbikes and cars at the road end.
Best for: Swimming, photography, full beach day. The beach is large enough to find space even during Indonesian holiday weekends.
Selong Belanak
A wide, pale sand bay with consistent gentle surf that makes it the best beach on the south coast for beginner surfers. Surf school operators have set up along the beach (IDR 150,000–200,000 for a 1-hour lesson with board hire). The water is clear and the bay is long enough to find uncrowded spots. A small string of warungs serves grilled seafood and cold drinks.
Access: 25 km west of Kuta Lombok; road is sealed. Entry IDR 10,000. No accommodation directly on this beach as of 2026, but day trips from Kuta Lombok are easy.
Best for: Beginner surfing, swimming, a full beach day. Arrive mid-morning; the surf school crowd thins by afternoon.
Search hotels in Lombok on Booking.com
Mawun Beach
A crescent bay enclosed by two headlands. The western side has more exposed surf; the eastern end is protected and calm. Between them, the clear water and near-empty sand make Mawun one of Lombok’s most peaceful spots. A single warung operates at the end of the access road.
Access: 22 km west of Kuta Lombok; the final 5 km of access road has rough sections — manageable on a scooter but worth noting. Entry IDR 10,000. Limited parking.
Best for: Seclusion. In peak season (July–August), even on a busy day Mawun rarely has more than a few dozen visitors.
Kuta Lombok
The main hub of Lombok’s south coast. The beach in front of Kuta town has decent sand and moderate surf, but it is more a base for accessing other beaches than a destination beach itself. The town has the best range of accommodation, restaurants, and surf hire on the south coast. For beach clubs and infrastructure, this is the most developed option in the region.
Access: 55 km south of Mataram; sealed road throughout. No entry fee for the main beach.
Best for: Using as a base for south coast beach exploration; watching the small surf break in front of town.
Pantai Tangsi (Pink Beach)
Lombok’s Pink Beach — the only one of its kind in Indonesia — gets its colour from red coral fragments mixed into the white sand. At certain times of day (mid-morning, strong sunlight), the pink tint is clearly visible; in flat light or overcast conditions it appears light-peach to cream. The beach is calm, reef-protected, and good for snorkelling directly from shore.
Access: 45 km east of Kuta Lombok; the road east of Tanjung Aan is sealed but narrow. Entry IDR 20,000–25,000 as of 2026. A few basic warungs operate at the beach.
Best for: Snorkelling, the novelty of the sand colour, and a quiet beach with genuinely good swimming. Worth combining with Tanjung Aan on the same east-coast run.
Northwest Coast: Senggigi and Mangsit
Senggigi Beach
Senggigi is Lombok’s main tourist beach town — a 5 km promenade of hotels, restaurants, and small beach bars. The beach itself faces west across the Lombok Strait toward Bali, with Gunung Agung visible on clear evenings. The water is calm and swimmable at the central beach sections. The sunsets here, with Bali’s volcano on the horizon, are a particular draw.
Access: 12 km north of Mataram on the main coastal road. No entry fee.
Best for: A comfortable beach stay with good infrastructure; sunset views toward Bali and Agung.
Mangsit Beach
3 km north of Senggigi’s main strip, Mangsit is quieter and less developed. The beach is rockier in sections but has calmer water and fewer tourists than the main Senggigi stretch. A handful of good hotels sit directly on this section.
The Gili Islands
The three Gili Islands sit off Lombok’s northwest coast and are technically part of Lombok’s beach offering, reachable by fast boat from Bangsal harbour.
Gili Trawangan
The largest and most developed — beach bars, diving operators, and nightlife line the east coast. The west coast is quieter with better snorkelling. A visitor tax of approximately IDR 50,000 is collected on arrival. The coral reef around Gili T is accessible from shore and has sea turtles — genuinely good snorkelling without needing to book a boat trip.
Gili Air
Quieter than Gili T with more of a village feel. Good accommodation range from IDR 150,000 backpacker dorms to boutique villas at IDR 500,000–800,000/night. Strong snorkelling on the east side.
Gili Meno
The quietest island — minimal development, fewer tourists, excellent birdwatching. Better for couples wanting isolation than for groups wanting activity.
Getting to the Gilis: See our Lombok getting-around guide for boat logistics and current fares. Klook fast boat tickets can be booked in advance if travelling from Bali.
Beach Tips for Lombok’s South Coast
The one-day circuit: From Kuta Lombok, hire a driver for IDR 400,000–600,000 and cover Selong Belanak → Mawun → Kuta town → Tanjung Aan → Bukit Merese viewpoint in sequence. This 5-stop route covers the best of the south coast in a single day. Total driving is approximately 80 km.
Timing: South coast beaches are clearest and calmest May–October (dry season). November–April can bring afternoon swell and overcast mornings, though mornings are generally still clear.
Gear: No beach umbrella or snorkel hire at most beaches outside Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan. Bring your own sunscreen, water, and snorkel gear if you want to use it at Mawun or Pink Beach.
Accommodation: Kuta Lombok has the widest range — see our Lombok where-to-stay guide for area recommendations and property names.
For island-wide context including the Gili Islands accommodation options, see our Lombok island guide.