A Guide to Lombok

As I floated on a surfboard, my instructor called out “go, chilli man!” to his friend carving along a breaking wave. He turned to me and said, “Have you tried the chillies here? They’re just like our island and our surfers: small but spicy.”

- BY MEGAN HOBSON

After a month living in Lombok, I couldn’t have better described the rich array of activities and culture found on this island.

Right next door to Bali, Lombok has long been lauded as the next major tourist hub in Indonesia. Luckily, its development has been steady rather than speedy; and while resorts are starting to move in, Lombok’s diverse nature remains unspoiled, the tourist trail quiet, and the adventure soul thriving.

10 Top Things to Do in Lombok

#1 Give surfing a go

Many travellers come to Lombok for the awesome surf breaks along the southern coast. And there’s a spot for every level, including those who haven’t tried the sport before (that was me!).

Beginners: Tanjong Ann or Selong Belanak are perfect places to start to master your “pop-up”. If you’re lucky, at Selong Belanak you can watch a farmer walking his cows along the shore line during sunset.

Intermediate: Mawi is a good option but be careful on the reef if the tide is low. Alternatively, take a boat out to Gerupuk Inside.

Advanced: Desert Point, also known as Bangko Bangko beach, offers a 400m left-hander that tubes from take-off to finish.

#2Snorkel to save sharks

Unfortunately, Indonesia is one of the world's major suppliers of shark fins. There are a few communities in the Lombok area that survive through fishing and practising this trade. We know sharks are crucial to the survival of our oceans and their numbers are beginning to dwindle, so something you can do to help while on holiday is to go on a Project Hiu snorkelling day tour.

Project Hiu is an organisation turning shark fishing around by giving the fisherman a chance to guide tourists to some lovely spots for a swim with reef sharks.