The 5 Best Beaches in Kuta Lombok I Have Actually Visited 2026

Lombok, Indonesia, is for sure one of the most up-and-coming places in all of Southeast Asia. Especially because Bali seems to get more and more overrun, people are heading over to Lombok, at least, that has been my experience.

One reason why so many people are making the move is because of Lombok’s beautiful nature and its stunning beaches. Honestly, they are just breathtaking. The water is a beautiful mix of blue and turquoise, and many of the beaches are amazing for surfing.

I just got back from Kuta Lombok after staying there for over two months. Since I just love the beach in general and really wanted to get into surfing, I naturally made it my mission to see as many of the pretty beaches around Kuta as I could.

Finding the right beaches around Kuta Lombok, however, is not always that easy, especially when you are new to the island. I felt a little lost and overwhelmed figuring out what the best beaches were, and if I felt that way, I’m sure some of you do too. 

That’s why I’m putting together this little guide on the best beaches in Kuta Lombok that I have actually been to and enjoyed, so you won’t have to figure it out yourself.

Beaches in Kuta Lombok – My Experience

Before I dive into the specific beaches, I want to talk about the reality of the situation in and around Kuta. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression or arrive with false expectations.

When I first showed up in Kuta, I hadn’t done much research, so I went in blind. One thing I learned very quickly is that I needed a scooter for pretty much everything. Yes, there is a beach right in Kuta Lombok which is actually decent, but for some reason, no one ever seems to go there. 

For every single beach on this list, I had to ride my scooter, sometimes for up to 30 minutes. Going to the beach in Kuta Lombok is definitely a bit of a mission, as some beaches are much further out than others.

Another thing I noticed is that trash is a real issue here. I know I’m part of the problem with the growth of tourism in Indonesia, but Lombok (much like Bali) has a significant trash problem that sometimes put me off from going to the beach altogether. 

It’s heartbreaking for me to arrive at a gorgeous, turquoise bay, only to walk closer and see plastic trash everywhere. Locals told me this changes a lot depending on the rain and the time of year, but it’s something to be aware of.

Lastly, I have to mention what’s happening at Tanjung Aan. Usually, Tanjung Aan would have been number one on my list and it was everyone’s favorite. I went there countless times for surfing, and it was incredible for swimming, with white sand, crystal-clear water, and plenty of local beach bars and restaurants serving cheap beers and great food.

Unfortunately, the government has started bulldozing the whole beach to make way for massive hotels and resorts. All those local warungs are being cleared out, and from what I’ve heard and seen recently, the whole vibe is being ruined and the area is full of construction debris and garbage. It’s a huge shame and honestly makes me very sad for the local people who have lived and worked there for years.

1. Tampah Beach (I like to go to Biras Beach Bar)

My number one beach in Kuta Lombok is, for sure, Tampah Beach, and for so many reasons. As I mentioned above, trash can be a real problem in Lombok in general, so the easiest way to avoid that is by heading to a beach that someone actually takes care of and that’s Tampah. I actually just randomly found this place while driving by, and I’m super happy I did.

Tampah Beach as a whole is just an empty, beautiful stretch of sand, but the big reason I love it so much is Biras Beach Bar. It’s sort of a beach club, but it’s super chill and low-key, nothing near as busy or loud as the ones you’d find in Bali. 

I’ve probably been there four or five times, and every single time the service was great. The drinks and food are fairly cheap, the sunbeds are comfy, and because the beach is so well-maintained, the water is amazing for swimming. 

Overall, it’s just a perfect beach experience. It is a little further away from Kuta, but since that’s the reality for pretty much all the beaches here, I always thought it was well worth the drive.

2. Mawi Beach

Number two on my list is Mawi Beach (Pantai Mawi), don’t mix it up with Mawun Beach! Mawi is even further away from Kuta than Tampah Beach, but again, I thought it was 100% worth the visit.

Mawi is a fairly small bay surrounded by beautiful mountains. The water is a stunning shade of blue and is fantastic for a refreshing dip, but it’s most famous for being a world-class surf spot. Just a heads-up: it’s really only for experienced surfers because the swell can get pretty full-on.

We treated this as a bit of a day trip. The drive itself is long, and the final stretch is a bumpy dirt road. I navigated it fine on a regular scooter, but it’s definitely a bit of a track, so be prepared!

The beach itself was so much fun, though. We grabbed sunbeds, which were free as long as we bought some drinks from the local beach bar. They had cold beers and fresh fruit, all super cheap, and it was just an amazing day by the sea. The best part was when I visited, there was absolutely no trash there at all, which made the whole experience feel so much more pristine.

3. Mawun Beach

I would say from what I’ve seen and experienced, Mawun Beach was one of the busiest beaches around Kuta. 

You can imagine why, many of the other beaches are harder to get to and are usually fairly quiet, which I loved. Most of the time, there weren’t many people at all at the beaches I visited.

However, Mawun has quite a lot of sunbeds as well as a few beachfront restaurants, and because it’s one of the closest beaches to Kuta with those facilities, it’s naturally the busiest.

I spent one morning here and I thought it was really nice; the water was pretty, and the sand was beautiful. I did walk down to the very end of the beach because I didn’t want to buy any drinks, food, or a sunbed, so I headed to where there weren’t any. 

The salesmen were kind of annoying about it, but I think that’s just normal here. It’s not my favorite beach, to be honest, but because it’s so close to Kuta, I do think it’s one of the best, most convenient options.

4. Selong Belanak Beach

Next up on my list is Selong Belanak. As I’ve mentioned already, most of the beaches in and around Kuta Lombok are pretty empty with minimal facilities, basically no restaurants or hotels to speak of. Selong Belanak is probably the only beach I’ve been to around here where that’s different.

Selong Belanak is actually a small town, which is almost as cute as Kuta, with a bunch of hotels, nice cafes, and restaurants. It feels much more family-friendly, too.

I made a whole day trip out of it; I drove out in the morning and hung out on the beach all day. There were loads of kids learning to surf, which is exactly what this beach is amazing for. The water is shallow with small, rolling waves, making it perfect for full-on beginners. 

I have to say, though, that by the time I visited here, I’d gotten really used to the empty, quiet beaches around Kuta, so it felt a little busy to me! But if you’re traveling with kids or you’re looking for proper restaurants, shops, and bathrooms, you’re definitely better off visiting here.

5. Tanjung Aan Beach (This Used to be the Best Beach Kuta Lombok)

I honestly wasn’t sure if I wanted to include Tanjung Aan on this list or not, but I’ve decided to do it because, from what I’ve heard and seen, people still do love it. I mentioned at the beginning of this guide that Tanjung Aan used to be everyone’s favorite, most popular beach while staying in Kuta Lombok, but unfortunately, due to government actions that have pretty much gutted the area, that has changed.

I know it’s still considered the number one surf spot in Kuta, so the boats are still going out and the surf schools are still operating, but the vibe of the beach itself has really shifted. It isn’t the same fun, pristine escape it once was.

I haven’t been back to Lombok for a while now, so if you have any recent insights on what the beach looks like currently or what the plans for the future are, feel free to hit me up and I’d love to post updates here for everyone.

FAQs About The Best Beach Kuta Lombok

Is surfing in Kuta Lombok good? 

Yes, absolutely! The surfing here is amazing and nowhere near as busy as in Bali, for instance. I’m a super beginner, and while I have to say the beaches here aren’t the most beginner-friendly overall, it’s still super fun.

Are there nice beaches in Kuta Lombok? 

Yes, there is a bunch of amazing beaches in Kuta that I loved visiting. My favorite beach used to be Tanjung Aan, but since that one has been destroyed, my new number one favorite beach in Kuta Lombok now is Tampah Beach.

What is the best beach in Kuta Lombok?

I would say it’s easily Tampah Beach. I love going to Biras Beach Bar there; they have amazing sunbeds, beautiful sand, and amazing water. It’s honestly one of my favorite places in Kuta.

Is Kuta Lombok worth visiting? 

If you are looking for a more chill alternative to a Bali beach/surf lifestyle, then yes, I would say so. As far as sightseeing goes, I’d say Bali maybe has more to offer, but for a chill beach town with good food, surfing, and nice beaches, I definitely prefer Lombok.

Final Thoughts on Kuta Lombok Best Beaches

To wrap this up, I want to be fully honest with you. I’ve traveled around Southeast Asia a lot, so I’ve seen many beaches, from the Philippines to Thailand, and the beaches in Lombok are definitely not necessarily the most mind-blowing ones I have seen, sorry, I’m just being honest here.

Don’t get me wrong, they are beautiful, but from my experience, there was often a lot of trash at those beaches, either left by local restaurants and tourists or washed up from the rain and the current. 

And whenever there is plastic trash on the beach and especially in the water, it kind of kills my vibe. Out of all the places in Southeast Asia, Bali and Lombok are definitely the worst for that from what I’ve seen.

However, I still had a great time at all those beaches. I enjoyed taking my scooter there, I enjoyed surfing, and I enjoyed just being in the water. I just want to be clear that it’s not all picture-perfect here.

I hope this little guide could still help y’all plan your next beach day in Lombok, and I hope I wasn’t being too negative here, in the end, I just want to be honest with you.

Check Out My Other Lombok Guides

Is Lombok Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

The Best Cafes in Kuta Lombok: My Favorite Coffee Shops in Kuta

The Best Restaurants in Kuta Lombok: My Top Places to Eat in Lombok

Beaches in Kuta Lombok: My Favorite Beaches in Kuta

Best Time to Visit Lombok Island: My Seasonal Guide

Best Things to Do in Kuta Lombok: My Favorite Activities in Kuta

Places to Stay in Kuta Lombok: My Top Areas in Hotels in Kuta Lombok