Guide to Selong Belanak Beach in Lombok
Last Updated: March 2026
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Introduction
Picture yourself on a white sand beach. Buffalos slowly make their way across the wet sand, reflecting the setting sun. You have an ear of freshly barbecued corn in one hand and a fresh drinking coconut rests next to you under your beach umbrella. You’ve just finished your first surf lesson. Life is good.
This is the slow life in Selang Belanak, Lombok. Bali’s smaller, quieter and lesser-known little sister. Separated by a narrow strip of water, these two islands share plenty of similarities as well as enough differences to justify the trip across. And this hidden gem of a beach is the antidote to Bali’s over-tourism.
Whether you’re a seasoned surfer, a newbie or just looking for a relaxing holiday, here’s why you should consider Selong Belanak, Lombok, for your next holiday.
Things I Wish I'd Known Before Visiting Selong Belanak
You can easily spend all day here
The warungs serve great food throughout the day, the daybeds are rented for the full day (not hourly), and vendors walk the beach selling cold ice cream and freshly grilled corn. There's no reason to rush off — settle in and make a day of it.
Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen
Sunscreen can be pricey in this part of Lombok, and most small shops on the island stock sunscreen that damages our oceans. Bring reef-safe sunscreen from home and know you're doing your bit to protect the gorgeous sea here.
Bring enough cash
The warungs on the beach prefer cash or are cash-only. You'll also need some for the fresh grilled corn vendors. There's an ATM nearby if you're caught short.
Expect a small parking fee
At the main car park, there's a charge of 10,000 IDR (about $0.60 USD). It's standard at Indonesian beaches and supports the local community.
Get the iconic buffalo shot
The buffalo parade happens daily around 5PM — a local farmer walks his herd along the beach at sunset. It's one of the most photographed moments at Selong Belanak.
Unveiling the Beauty of Selong Belanak
Selong Belanak Beach feels different from the other beaches nearby. Gentle waves crash on the beach, the sand is soft and white, and the water is crystal clear. The sunsets are directly in front of you.
This is because the natural geography of the beach - the direction, lack of reef and bay - creates the perfect little spot.
Whatever you’re looking for, Selong Belanak has it. The beach has a section of warungs (local restaurants) where you can order fresh nasi goreng (fried rice). There are loungers where you can pay to rest and order coconuts to be delivered directly to you. There’s also an eager team of locals ready to either rent you a surfboard or take you for lessons.
If that’s not enough for you, the buzzing town of Kuta is just 30 minutes away. Or the local fishermen will take you to the nearby outer reefs if you’re a more experienced surfer.
Activities for Every Traveler in Selong Belanak
There are plenty of things to do in Selong Belanak for all types of travellers. And once you’ve done all the Selong Belanak activities, the rest of Lombok is just a short drive away.
Relaxation and Sunbathing
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to relax, Selong Belanak is the place to be. There are many sun loungers with umbrellas in front of each of the warungs (local restaurants). These are usually rented for 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($3 USD) each for the day.
Further down the beach from the main parking lot, there is a higher-end restaurant, Latu Biru, if you’re looking for something different from local food.
Beyond this, you can enjoy the beach sitting on the sand. The further away from the main parking lot you walk, the quieter the beach and the waves will be.
Keep an eye out for the buffalos making their way along the shoreline at low tide.
Surfing for Beginners
The main activity at Selong Belanak beach is surfing. The gentle waves are perfect for beginners, which means that even if you’re not going to surf, you can get in the water to swim amongst the waves.
If you’re looking to surf, you can’t miss the surfboard rental and lessons. You’ll be approached before you even set foot on the beach by the friendly locals looking to help.
Expect to pay around 300,000 IDR ($20 USD) for private lessons, less if you book further from the main entrance. Board rental is cheaper if you’ve got some experience under your belt and are happy 50,000 IDR ($3 USD).
Experienced surfer? Speak to the locals about getting a boat out to one of the nearby reefs. They’ll know the best spots depending on the weather and season.
Nearby Surf Breaks for Intermediate & Advanced Surfers
While Selong Belanak is perfect for beginners, experienced surfers will find several world-class breaks within easy reach.
Mawi (40 minutes east toward Kuta) is one of South Lombok's most famous waves. This A-frame reef break works best during the dry season (May–September) with east offshore winds. The right-hander is fun on smaller days, but the left can handle 6-8 ft swells and delivers clean barrels. On bigger days, expect powerful waves and strong currents.
Are Guling: (30 minutes east) has both a right and left-hand reef break that come alive during the rainy season (October–April). The right can hold both big and small swells and works best at low to mid-tide, offering either long playful rides or fast barreling sections. The left is shorter, faster, and more hollow — best on mid-size swells at mid to high tide. You can paddle out or catch a boat from the beach.
Gerupuk Bay (50 minutes east of Kuta) offers five different breaks accessed by a short boat ride from the fishing village. Inside is a long, mellow right-hander perfect for intermediates, while Outside Right and Outside Left cater to advanced surfers with steep takeoffs and barreling sections. The bay works year-round, depending on swell and tide.
Most accommodation in Selong Belanak or nearby Kuta can arrange transport to these breaks and connect you with local surf guides.
Cultural Exploration
Indonesia covers a vast number of islands and a wide array of cultures. While you're here, visit the Sade Cultural Village to learn more about the unique Sasak culture of Lombok.
Planning a trip to Lombok?
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Planning Your Trip to Selong Belanak
Selong Belanak is an up-and-coming area with plenty of new accommodation options popping up. But supply hasn’t always kept up with demand, so make sure you book ahead in peak season.
Luxury Accommodation
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly design that doesn’t compromise on quality, you need to check out Kirikan Villas. Nestled in the hills above the Selong Belanak, you’ll have views across the entire valley and enough space for the whole family.
Designed by Bambook Studio, the villas incorporate passive design strategies and rainwater harvesting, which are important factors on an arid island in a country that powers itself on fossil fuels.
Mid-Budget Accommodation
Breakfast provided. A rooftop bar overlooking the countryside. A swimming pool surrounded by sun-loungers. A co-working space. And walking distance to the perfect beginner's surf beach. What more could you want from a resort? Mango Selong is our top pick for staying in Selong Belanak.
Budget Accommodation
Although there is a lot of development underway in this beautiful area, the nearby township of Kuta is much better established. That means it has many more accommodation options for all budgets.
Mad Monkey Backpackers should be at the top of your list for backpacker-style accommodation. It’s central location, swimming pool, tour desk and restaurant make it the perfect pick for budget accommodation.
How to get to Selong Belanak
Depending on where you’re coming from, you have several options for getting to Selong Belanak, Lombok.
Flying
There is an international airport in Praya, a 30-minute drive away. However, currently, only flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur land directly in Lombok.
Depending on where you’re coming from, you may have a connecting flight in either Jakarta, Bali or Surabaya, which are busier international hubs. Using a service like Kiwi.com will show you options for escaping home and landing in sunny Lombok.
We recently flew in via Jakarta and had to collect our luggage and clear customs there before our domestic flight to Lombok. Check with your airline to see what your process is.
There are plenty of drivers offering to shuttle you to your hotel. Book your transfer before you land with Baron (WhatsApp him here) for a warm, welcoming smile to greet you at the airport. Grab also exists, but is not available for all journeys.
Slow Boat
If you’re coming from Bali, you can fly or arrive by boat. With the boats, you have two options: fast and slow.
The slow boat leaves from Padang Bai (on the east coast, halfway up the island), not from Sanur in the south. It arrives in Lembar Harbour in Mataram.
This boat delivers on its promise of being slow. We arrived after loading the boat the first time we took it, but it can take an hour or more. The journey then takes several hours. And the unloading on the other side can also take an hour.
By the time we arrived, all the seats were full, so we rented mats to sit on the floor. It was pretty comfortable but cosy with the locals.
The toilets on board were squat toilets that weren’t clean, and the doors didn’t close well. All that was available for purchase on board was cup noodles and instant coffee.
It was a long, slow journey, as promised
Fast Boat
Unfortunately, unlike the Slow Boat, this boat doesn’t live up to its name. It departs from Sanur, south of Bali, and docks in Bangsal, north of Lombok.
There are plenty of providers (we’ve used Scoot Cruises if you’re looking for a recommendation) who picked us up from our hotel in Ubud.
The port in Sanur has recently been upgraded, so there is now a terminal building. However, the system is a little chaotic, with many private businesses operating out of a single space.
The boats to Bali all stop at the Gili Islands, usually Trawangan and Air, before heading to Bangsal. This process can be painfully slow as both islands have multiple boats stopping and large groups of people departing and arriving all at once.
When you arrive, you’ll need to make your way from the north down to Selong Belanak in the south, which takes about two hours. The roads are good, though, so the journey is pleasant.
Again, book your transfer with Baron (WhatsApp him here), and he’ll be waiting for you at the port and make sure you arrive safely.
I’m not sure this journey is any faster than the slow boat, but it’s more comfortable and definitely more popular with tourists.
Where to eat in Selong Belanak
Selong Belanak has a growing food scene with loads of options for everyone. There are plenty of budget-friendly warungs as well as beautiful high-end restaurants. Check out our full list of restaurants in Selong Belanak here.
Seaside Dining at Laut Biru
Want to eat breakfast with the feeling of sand between your toes? Laut Biru is where you want to head.
This restaurant has a stunning ocean view, delicious local coffee, and an extensive menu that includes local and international delicacies.
Local Food at Warung Corner
Eating on a budget? There are plenty of options available to you. Our go-to is Warung Corner, just a short five-minute walk from the beach.
This local restaurant serves all the classic Indonesian dishes - gado-gado, nasi campur and a local curry. We ate here several times, and you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.
When to Visit
Lombok has a short wet season and a long dry season. The wet season runs from December to February and the rest of the year is quite dry.
The road between Selong Belanak and Kuta can become flooded during the wet season although there are alternative, longer routes available.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a quiet little corner of Southeast Asia, Selong Belanak is a must-visit! Whether you want to learn to surf, already know how to shred or just want to relax on the beach, this place has it all.
Selong Belanak is relatively easy to add to any Bali or Lombok itinerary. Start planning your Selong Belanak escape today!
Bonus Section: Pro Tips for Selong Belanak
If you want to make your trip extra special, here are our best Selong Belanak travel tips.
Grab a scooter and head to Torok Bay to Amber Lombok Beach Resort. The journey will have you winding through villages, dodging cloves out for drying on the road. And you’ll land in the lap of luxury for a drink or snack right on the sandy white beach.
Love cocktails? Make sure you head to Klub Kembali and check out their extensive menu. The owner, Daniel, is always experimenting, so you’re sure to find something that surprises you. They also have a Wheel of Fortune, where you can get discounted drinks if you have whatever your spin lands on!
