Lombok Overview
Land and People
Lombok is located about 40km from Bali. It sits in the middle of the southern tropical trade-wind belt and is around 4500 square kilometres with a beautiful variety of sceneries. Lombok is the beginning of what's known as Nusa Tengara which is the dry side of Indonesia. It is also the home to stunning sandy beaches which can compare to and sometimes surpass Bali's. The population is made up of 90% Sasak who are Muslim but share characteristics with the Javanese and Sumbawanese. The rest of the population are Hindu and Christian. In general the people are friendly and hospitable but it is still best to be wary as they are not as open to foreigners as the Balinese.
Waves and Wind
Lombok is surfable all year round with breaks catering to wet season and dry, but the optimum times are at the beginning and end of season which is from May to September. The Lombok strait on the West side of the island is an important factor here. It is extremely deep and causes very strong currents between tides. Waves found on Lombok range from beginner types to expert only waves such as Desert Point. Typical trade winds can be found on Lombok. They blow East to Southeast in the dry season (May to September) and West to Northwest in the wet season (November to April).
Crowds
Crowds are fluctual. You might get pumping waves all to yourself one day then be faced with the prospect of boats full of people converging onto a break the next. Desert Point seems to be the exception these days as surf forecasting is now so advanced and Bali is just across the strait. As the swell builds the crowds converge to get a taste of what is arguably the best left in the world.
Accommodation
If you need a place to stay, Lombok caters for anything from cheap backpacker lodgings to the big, flashy resorts such as The Sheraton. Sengigi is the main area catering to tourists but good accommodation can also be found at Kuta and the three islands - Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. The three Gilis have, in recent years, become tourist hotspots.
Transport
There is a good road running across the middle of Lombok between Mataram (the capital) and Labuhan Lombok. Generally there are fairly good roads in most of the populated areas. Bemos run all over the island but if you get off the main routes you will have to charter them so be prepared to negotiate a price. You can also rent cars, 4WDs and motor bikes. Most of the cars for rent can be found in the Sengiggi area. It is possible to rent in other places but it is more difficult and expensive usually. Where ever you rent bargaining is essential. It is also possible to bring a car or a motorbike on the ferry from Bali but with new insurance rules it is not as easy or straightforward as it used to be.
Lombok is located about 40km from Bali. It sits in the middle of the southern tropical trade-wind belt and is around 4500 square kilometres with a beautiful variety of sceneries. Lombok is the beginning of what's known as Nusa Tengara which is the dry side of Indonesia. It is also the home to stunning sandy beaches which can compare to and sometimes surpass Bali's. The population is made up of 90% Sasak who are Muslim but share characteristics with the Javanese and Sumbawanese. The rest of the population are Hindu and Christian. In general the people are friendly and hospitable but it is still best to be wary as they are not as open to foreigners as the Balinese.
Waves and Wind
Lombok is surfable all year round with breaks catering to wet season and dry, but the optimum times are at the beginning and end of season which is from May to September. The Lombok strait on the West side of the island is an important factor here. It is extremely deep and causes very strong currents between tides. Waves found on Lombok range from beginner types to expert only waves such as Desert Point. Typical trade winds can be found on Lombok. They blow East to Southeast in the dry season (May to September) and West to Northwest in the wet season (November to April).
Crowds
Crowds are fluctual. You might get pumping waves all to yourself one day then be faced with the prospect of boats full of people converging onto a break the next. Desert Point seems to be the exception these days as surf forecasting is now so advanced and Bali is just across the strait. As the swell builds the crowds converge to get a taste of what is arguably the best left in the world.
Accommodation
If you need a place to stay, Lombok caters for anything from cheap backpacker lodgings to the big, flashy resorts such as The Sheraton. Sengigi is the main area catering to tourists but good accommodation can also be found at Kuta and the three islands - Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. The three Gilis have, in recent years, become tourist hotspots.
Transport
There is a good road running across the middle of Lombok between Mataram (the capital) and Labuhan Lombok. Generally there are fairly good roads in most of the populated areas. Bemos run all over the island but if you get off the main routes you will have to charter them so be prepared to negotiate a price. You can also rent cars, 4WDs and motor bikes. Most of the cars for rent can be found in the Sengiggi area. It is possible to rent in other places but it is more difficult and expensive usually. Where ever you rent bargaining is essential. It is also possible to bring a car or a motorbike on the ferry from Bali but with new insurance rules it is not as easy or straightforward as it used to be.