Drive 45 minutes east of Kuta and you’ll find a quiet coastal town hosting one of the world’s best beaches called Selong Belanak.
The long white sandy beach is protected by rolling green mountains on either side. The water is so clear that you can see fish (and turtles if you’re lucky) swimming around.
Then there’s one of Lombok’s best surf breaks out the back, perfect for beginners all year round. Add a couple of other amazing secluded beaches to discover just around the corner and you’ll realise that paradise really exists.
While Selong Belanak is a lot quieter than Kuta, spending 3 nights here in one of the amazing bungalows or villas at Tropik Resort is the perfect way to explore stunning beaches within easy walking distance. Certainly enough time to completely unwind, yet not become bored.
Surfing at Selong Belanak
There are a few surf breaks located at Selong Belanak Beach and nearby, which draw in surfers from around the world with all levels of experience.
For beginners, the most popular surf break is at Selong Belanak itself. This well sheltered spot has easy 2-3 foot waves rolling over a sand bed. It’s easy to reach with motorbike parking right outside the beach. Local shops offer both surfboard rental and lessons.
For experienced surfers, head to the nearby Mawi Beach. This spot typically has 5-6 foot waves and feels far more secluded than Selong Belanak. It’s also a bit more challenging to reach, requiring a slow 30 minute ride/drive down a bumpy 4WD type track.
Sunset Views
The bay faces west, so the sunset views here are also epic. Enjoy sunset with a cold Bintang or fresh coconut at one of the local warungs after a day surfing. For more of a beach bar vibe head to Lantis at the southern end of the beach, or Laut Biru Bar at the northern end of the developed part of the beach. All spots offer a great view of the sunset over the bay.
Buffaloes on the Beach
Selong Belanak once hosted a herd of buffalo walking the sandy beach each afternoon. While this no longer seems to be the case, there is still an opportunity to see them nearby.
You’ll need to head about 15 minutes further west to the quieter area known as Pantai Torok. The local resort called Amber arranges for a buffalo herder to visit for a couple of hours every Friday afternoon.
Within Selong Belanak itself you can also find the buffalo herd grazing in fields along Jalan Selong Belanak within about 1 kilometre of the beach.
Hiking to Nearby Remote Beaches
Choose a cooler day and go explore some of the more remote beaches around Selong Belanak. There is a lesser known hiking trail which will take you to through tobacco fields with buffalo herds, and out around the rocky coastal headlands.
The roughly 4 kilometer trail ends (or starts) at Selong Belanak Beach and takes you to three other smaller beaches including Telawas Beach (don’t swim here due to strong currents), Semeti Beach for amazing views, and the surfer’s favourite Mawi Beach.
It is best to hike one way and arrange a pick up or drop off at the other end. Ask your hotel for a transfer. I had a dop off to Telawas Beach for 200K IDR, well worth the 30 minute drive along the bumpy 4WD track.
Where to Stay in Selong Belanak
You won’t find any direct beachfront bungalows at Selong Belanak, which actually adds to the remote feeling and uniqueness of this place. The closest accommodation to the beach is the Sempiak Seaside Resort which offers nice views of the bay with a price tag to suit.
You’ll find most other resorts located between 500m to 1.5km from the beach along Jalan Selong Belanak.
We stayed at the Tropik Resort which offers a range of one bedroom bungalows and larger villas. Tropik’s huge swimming pool is great, the bungalows are new, food is tasty, and they offer free transfers to the beach at any time of the day. It’s a less than a 10 minute walk from Tropik Resort to Selong Belanak Beach.
Recommended Mid-Range Hotel: Tropik Resort
How to Get to Selong Belanak
Kuta to Selong Belanak is about a 45 minute (22 kilometers) drive along a well-sealed coastal road. Transport can quite easily be arranged in Kuta’s main strip, typically 200k-300k IDR for a one way journey in a private car with driver. Book in advance on 12Go with prices starting at 300K IDR (similarly priced), for a private car.
Lombok Airport to Selong Belanak is also about a 45 minute drive along a well-sealed almost double lane road. Local opinion is that it’s best to allow about an hour if heading back to the airport. Traffic can easily become congested on the narrow road, particularly on local market days. Book in advance on 12Go with prices starting at 360k IDR for a private car.
