Planning a South Lombok itinerary is easy once you understand one thing: the beaches are spread out, the roads are quiet, and the whole coast rewards a slow pace.
This day-by-day guide gives you three ready-to-use plans, for 3, 5 or 7 days, built around real drive times, honest costs and the specific spots we recommend as a local team. Use it to move less, see more and spend your days on the sand instead of stuck in planning.
South Lombok Itinerary at a Glance
Almost everyone bases themselves in Kuta, the main hub town, and does easy day trips from there. Kuta sits about 45 to 60 minutes south of Lombok International Airport, and most of the beaches in this guide are within a 30-minute scooter ride of town. Here is how the three plans compare before we break each one down.
| Trip length | Best for | What you cover |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | First-timers, long weekends | Kuta, Tanjung Aan, Bukit Merese, Selong Belanak |
| 5 days | A proper first trip | Adds Gerupuk surf, Mawun swimming, a west-coast day |
| 7 days | Slow travel, surfers, couples | Adds Mawi, Are Guling and a quiet Torok or Tampah finish |
Before You Go: How to Get Around
South Lombok is not walkable between beaches, so transport shapes your whole trip. Renting a scooter is the cheapest and most flexible option at roughly Rp 70,000 to 150,000 per day, and it is how most travellers beach-hop. If you are not a confident rider, hire a car and driver for around Rp 500,000 to 1,000,000 per day, which is ideal for families, sunrise trips and longer days east or west.
Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek are unreliable outside the main towns, so it helps to save a local driver’s WhatsApp as backup. Keep small cash for the Rp 5,000 to 10,000 parking or entry fees most beaches charge. For the full breakdown, see our transport options in South Lombok guide.
3-Day South Lombok Itinerary
Three days is enough to fall for the south coast without rushing, and this short South Lombok itinerary keeps travel time low. This plan keeps Kuta as your base and mixes iconic beaches with the region’s best free viewpoint.
Day 1: Settle Into Kuta and Watch a Sunset
Arrive, drop your bags and ease in. Spend the afternoon wandering Kuta’s main strip, which has grown a genuinely good cafe and food scene, from strong local coffee to wood-fired pizza and the smash burgers travellers make a small pilgrimage for. A relaxed local meal at a warung runs about Rp 25,000 to 40,000, so eat well for very little. Finish with sunset near town and an early night. For coffee spots, our best cafes in Kuta Lombok guide points you to the good ones.
Day 2: Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese
Ride the short 10-minute hop east to Tanjung Aan, a wide double bay of pale, pepper-grain sand with clear, calm water on its eastern side. Arrive before 9am and you may have close to an hour of near-solitude. Note the last kilometre of road is unpaved, which is fine on a scooter but bumpy by car. In the late afternoon, walk the 15-minute path up neighbouring Bukit Merese for a 360-degree view over the bays, with Rinjani to the north, and stay for what is the single best free sunset in South Lombok. Read our Tanjung Aan beach guide for the finer details.
Day 3: Selong Belanak Beach Day
Head about 45 minutes west to Selong Belanak, a long, gently curving bay that is both a calm swimming beach and the best place in the region for a first surf. Its slow, sand-bottom left-hander is why surf schools cluster here, with a two-hour lesson including a board costing roughly Rp 150,000 to 250,000. Have a long lunch at a beachfront cafe, then catch sunset from the western end before riding back. Our complete Selong Belanak guide covers where to eat and stay.
5-Day South Lombok Itinerary
Five days lets you add surf, a hidden swimming bay and a quieter stretch of coast. Keep the first three days above, then continue.
Day 4: Gerupuk Surf Day
Gerupuk Bay, about 20 minutes from Kuta, is the south coast’s most versatile surf zone, with several breaks reached by a short fishing-boat ride of around Rp 50,000 return. Inside Gerupuk suits beginners and intermediates, while the outside breaks pick up when the swell is bigger. Even non-surfers enjoy watching the action over a coconut from the village. If you would rather chase waves elsewhere, our spot-by-spot surf guide maps every break by level.
Day 5: Mawun Swim Day and West-Coast Sunset
Ride 20 minutes west to Mawun, a protected crescent bay tucked between two green headlands where the water is flat, clear and made for swimming. It is quieter than Tanjung Aan despite being just as pretty, with a small warung for cold drinks. Spend the morning here, then continue along the coast for a relaxed afternoon and another west-coast sunset before heading back to town.
7-Day South Lombok Itinerary
A week is when South Lombok really relaxes you. Follow the five-day plan, then slow right down.
Day 6: Wild Beaches at Mawi and Are Guling
Head west past Mawun to Mawi, a dramatic bay flanked by cliffs with a powerful reef break for confident surfers. It is not a swimming beach, but the scenery alone is worth the rough final track, best tackled on a scooter. Nearby Are Guling offers a calmer, less crowded alternative with left and right surf points, a good spot to slow the day down.
Day 7: A Quiet Finish in Torok or Tampah
End your trip in the calmer coastline west of Kuta around Torok and Tampah, where the energy shifts from surf town to retreat. These quiet beaches and villa-style stays are made for slow mornings, long lunches and beach walks, the perfect reset before you fly out. To choose exactly which base suits your style, read our overview of South Lombok areas.
How Much Does a South Lombok Trip Cost?
South Lombok is noticeably cheaper than Bali, with accommodation running 30 to 50 percent lower in comparable areas. What you spend depends entirely on your style, and the table below reflects what people actually pay day to day.
| Travel style | Daily budget (IDR) | Roughly (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget backpacker | Rp 250,000 to 400,000 | $15 to $25 |
| Mid-range independent | Rp 500,000 to 900,000 | $31 to $56 |
| Comfortable traveller | Rp 900,000 to 1,800,000 | $56 to $112 |
Many of the best things here are free or nearly free: swimming at Mawun, the sunrise hike up Bukit Merese, and sunset at Tanjung Aan cost nothing beyond getting there. For a full category-by-category breakdown, see how much Lombok costs.
Best Time to Follow This Itinerary
The dry season from May to October brings the most sunshine and the most reliable surf, with June, July and August the peak surf months and the busiest period. The wet season from November to March is greener, quieter and cheaper, with short showers rather than all-day rain. April and October are lovely shoulder months that balance good weather with thinner crowds. If your trip depends on surf, aim for the mid-year peak; if you want quiet beaches and lower prices, the shoulder months are ideal.
Practical Tips for Your South Lombok Trip
- Base yourself in Kuta for the easiest logistics and the most food choices, and take day trips out from there.
- Start beach and viewpoint trips early; Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese are quietest before 9am.
- Avoid riding a scooter at night outside town, where roads are dark and animals wander across.
- Carry small cash in 5,000 and 10,000 notes for parking, entry fees and warungs.
- Save an offline map and a local driver’s contact, since phone signal and ride apps can drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in South Lombok?
Three days is enough to see the highlights around Kuta, Tanjung Aan and Selong Belanak. Five days lets you add surf at Gerupuk and swimming at Mawun, while seven days gives you time to reach wilder beaches and finish with a quiet stretch of coast. Many travellers who plan three days end up staying much longer.
Where should I stay while following this itinerary?
Kuta is the most convenient base for every plan here thanks to its restaurants, cafes and central position for day trips. If you prefer a slower, beach-first pace, Selong Belanak is a lovely alternative, and for a quiet finish, the Torok and Tampah area suits couples and slow travellers.
Do I need a scooter for a South Lombok itinerary?
A scooter is the easiest and cheapest way to follow these plans, since beaches are spread out and public transport is limited. If you are not a confident rider, a car and driver works well for the longer east and west days and is the safer choice for families.
Is a South Lombok itinerary suitable for families?
Yes. Calm swimming bays like Mawun and the gentle beach at Selong Belanak are great for children, and hiring a car with a driver takes the stress out of getting around. Just plan around the midday heat and keep beach days flexible.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of a South Lombok itinerary is how little it needs to work: a good base in Kuta, a scooter or a driver, and the willingness to slow down. Use this South Lombok itinerary as a starting point and adjust the pace to suit you. Whether you have three days or a full week, this coast delivers empty bays, easy surf and unforgettable sunsets. For more ideas once you are here, browse our guide to the best things to do in South Lombok, or if you want to venture further, our wider Lombok itinerary covers the whole island.
