Guide to Selong Belanak Beach in Lombok
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.
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.
Water Activities
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 step foot on the beach by the friendly locals looking to help.
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.
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 Your Trip to Selong Belanak
Selong Belanak isn’t as well established as places like Seminyak in Bali, so access can present a few more challenges. Also, Selong Belanak accommodation can be harder to find, so make sure you book ahead in peak season.
Accommodation
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 in a country that powers itself on fossil fuels and an arid island.
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 beginners' surf beach. What more could you want from a resort? Mango Lodge is our top pick for staying in Selong Belanak.
Budget Accommodation
Although there is much development happening 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 should be at the top of your list for backpacker-style accommodation. It’s central location, swimming pool, tour desk and restaurant m
How to get to Selong Belanak
Depending on where you’re coming from, you have several options for getting to Selong Belanak.
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. Grab does also exist, although it’s discouraged by many of the local hotels. Speak to your hotel about arranging a driver to make your experience as seamless as possible.
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 the loading of 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 otherwise 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 Bangasl, 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 all operating out of one 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.
I’m not sure that this journey is any faster than the slow boat, but it’s more comfortable on the boat and it’s definitely more used by 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.
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 yourself a scooter and head over to Torok Bay to Amber Hotel. 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. 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!
