West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) is an Indonesian province spanning two main islands—Lombok and Sumbawa—offering a diverse blend of volcanic peaks, pristine beaches, and rich Sasak and Sumbawan cultures. From the towering Mount Rinjani and the turquoise Gili Islands to the legendary surf breaks of Lakey Beach and the remote wilderness of Moyo Island, the province delivers world-class adventure and relaxation in equal measure.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in West Nusa Tenggara.
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- Surf and scenery paradise
- restaurants
- surf rental
- warung stalls
- parking
- toilets
Kuta Beach Lombok
A spectacular crescent-shaped bay with white sand and turquoise water, dramatically backed by green hills and flanked by rocky headlands. The beach is the centrepiece of the Mandalika resort zone and arguably Indonesia's most beautiful beach town.
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- Relaxed resort strip with sunset views
- hotels
- restaurants
- bars
- diving centres
- boat hire
- sunbeds
Senggigi Beach
Lombok's most developed beach resort stretches several kilometres along Senggigi Bay and the smaller coves to the north, offering calm swimming, beachfront restaurants, and legendary sunsets over Bali's Mount Agung volcano across the Lombok Strait.
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- Stunning twin bays with unusual sand
- warungs
- toilet facilities
- parking
- boat hire
Tanjung Aan Beach
A double bay of extraordinary beauty — the western bay has powdery white sand while the eastern bay has distinctive pepper-corn-shaped sand granules. The water is brilliantly turquoise and calm, and the surrounding hills provide perfect viewpoints.
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- Perfect horseshoe bay for beginners
- surf school
- board rental
- warungs
- parking
Selong Belanak Beach
A wide, perfectly curved bay with calm, shallow water that is considered the best beach for beginner surfers in Lombok. The gentle, long left-hand wave rolls across the bay making it ideal for learning, and the scenery is stunning.
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- Rare pink sand wonder
- basic warungs
- toilet facilities
- boat hire for snorkeling
Pink Beach (Pantai Tangsi)
One of only a handful of pink-sand beaches in the world, Pantai Tangsi gets its rosy hue from microscopic fragments of red coral mixed with white sand. The beach faces a calm bay with excellent snorkeling and the surrounding hills offer beautiful viewpoints.
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- Secluded horseshoe cove
- basic warungs
- parking
Mawun Beach
A perfectly formed horseshoe bay with calm, transparent water and fine white sand surrounded by steep, forested headlands. Mawun receives far fewer visitors than neighbouring Kuta and offers a peaceful beach experience.
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- Tropical island sunset beach
- beach bars
- sunbeds
- dive centres
- restaurants
- boat hire
- warungs
Gili Trawangan Beach (West Coast)
The western beach of Gili Trawangan offers a classic tropical island experience — white sand, palm trees, turquoise water, and the best sunset views in the province with Bali's volcanoes on the horizon. Beach bars, sunbeds, and dive centres line the strip.
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- Quiet island beach for snorkeling
- beach warungs
- dive centres
- sunbeds
- restaurants
Gili Air Beach
The beaches of Gili Air, particularly on the east and south sides, offer exceptional shallow-water snorkeling with sea turtles visible just metres from shore. The island has a quieter, more local atmosphere than Gili Trawangan.
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- Unspoiled tropical island escape
- basic beach restaurants
- dive centre
- hammocks
Gili Meno Beach
The quietest of the three Gili Islands has pristine beaches largely free of crowds, excellent snorkeling, and the underwater sculpture garden created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Ideal for honeymooners and those seeking absolute tranquility.
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- Remote off-the-beaten-path paradise
- basic accommodation
- boat hire from local fishermen
Sekotong Peninsula Beaches
The little-visited southwest coast of Lombok hides a string of remote beaches and offshore snorkeling islands (Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Layar) with pristine reefs largely untouched by tourism. Charter a local wooden boat to explore.
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- World-class surf beach
- surf camps
- board rental
- warungs
- basic accommodation
Lakey Beach
Southeast Asia's premier surf destination on Sumbawa's south coast, with multiple world-class reef breaks including Lakey Peak and Lakey Pipe. The remote setting, consistent swell, and lack of crowds make it legendary among experienced surfers.
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- Remote West Sumbawa surf spot
- basic surf camps
- warungs
Pantai Maluk (SurfBay)
A long crescent beach near the mining town of Maluk in West Sumbawa with reliable surf breaks, clear water, and the dramatic backdrop of Sumbawa's interior hills. Less visited than Lakey Beach but excellent for intermediate surfers.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Gili Meno, Mawun Beach, and the Sekotong Peninsula offer peaceful retreats far from tourist crowds
Family
Family-friendly
Selong Belanak's gentle waves and shallow water, and Gili Air's calm east beach are ideal for children
Sport
Active & sporty
Kuta Lombok and Lakey Beach (Sumbawa) offer world-class surf; Gili Trawangan's reefs are best for diving
Social
Lively scene
Gili Trawangan's west beach with its beach bar strip and sunset gatherings is the social hub of West NTB beaches
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in West Nusa Tenggara memorable.
Snorkeling
Outstanding snorkeling across the province with sea turtles at the Gili Islands, coral gardens at Pink Beach, and pristine reefs in Sekotong
Gili Trawangan (south), Gili Air (east), Gili Meno Wall, Pink Beach, Sekotong offshore islands
Scuba Diving
World-class diving with the Gili Islands being a premier dive training and recreational diving destination — sea turtles, reef sharks, and diverse coral life
All three Gili Islands, with Gili Trawangan having the most dive centres
Surfing
Lombok and Sumbawa have some of Southeast Asia's finest surf — from gentle beginner waves at Selong Belanak to world-class reef breaks at Kuta's Desert Point and Lakey Beach
Selong Belanak (beginners), Kuta/Gerupuk (intermediate), Lakey Beach (advanced)
Paddleboarding
Calm bays of Senggigi, Gili Air, and Tanjung Aan are excellent for stand-up paddleboarding
Senggigi, Gili Air, Tanjung Aan
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
May to October is best for swimming and diving; surf season on the south coast June to October
Getting there
All beaches are public and free; some charge a small entry donation (IDR 10,000–15,000)
On-beach facilities
Main tourist beaches (Kuta, Senggigi, Gili Islands) have good facilities; remote beaches have minimal amenities
Costs to budget
Sunbed/umbrella rental IDR 30,000–50,000 ($2–3); snorkeling equipment rental $3–5/day; surf lessons $15–20/hour
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.