Kuta & Mandalika

Kuta is the hub of Lombok's south coast, and it is not the Kuta of Bali. It is a surf town that has grown up fast since the Mandalika development and the MotoGP circuit arrived, but the main road is still a few blocks of cafés, surf shops and guesthouses, with the hills and bays close by on every side.

Most visitors come for the waves. Gerupuk Bay, fifteen minutes east, has several breaks reached by boat that suit everyone from first-timers to experienced surfers, and the surf schools in town run lessons and guided sessions there daily. Tanjung Aan and Seger beaches are the classic swimming and sunset spots, and Bukit Merese above Tanjung Aan is the evening viewpoint everyone heads to.

Food runs from cheap warungs serving nasi campur and fresh fish to healthy cafés and smart restaurants in Mandalika. Accommodation ranges from surf camps and hostels to villas in the hills with sea views. A scooter is the easiest way to get around; the roads to the beaches are good but steep in places. The dry season, roughly May to October, brings the most consistent offshore winds.