The best beaches and surf breaks around Kuta Lombok

The coast around Kuta Lombok is a run of wide bays and surf breaks, each with its own character. Here is an orientation to the best of them, west to east. Selong Belanak. A long, gentle crescent of pale sand and the friendliest surf on the coast, the place almost everyone learns. Soft sandy bottom, mellow waves, and a row of warungs renting boards and serving lunch. Calm enough to simply swim, too. Mawun. A horseshoe bay between green headlands, quieter than Selong Belanak and lovely for a relaxed beach day. The waves can pick up, so check conditions before you swim out. Mawi. A powerful, hollow reef break that draws experienced surfers when it is working. Beautiful to look at, but the currents and rocky bottom make it a spot for confident surfers only. Tanjung Aan. The signature Kuta Lombok beach: two scallops of soft, almost powdery sand and calm, shallow water ideal for swimming and easy snorkelling. Climb the small hill at the eastern end for the classic view over both bays. Seger. Just east of Kuta town, known for sunsets and an intermediate surf break, and the setting for the annual Bau Nyale sea-worm festival. Gerupuk Bay. A protected bay reached by a short boat ride, with several breaks ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging. A reliable choice when the open beaches are too big, and a favourite of the surf camps. Ekas Bay. Further east and quieter, with two main breaks, a mellow inside and a heavier outside, and a remote, end-of-the-road feel. A few notes. Many of these beaches have little shade and few facilities, so bring water, sun protection and cash. Conditions change with tide and swell, so ask locally before surfing an unfamiliar break, and never underestimate the currents on the open south coast.