Nyale Fishing Festival

People flock to Kuta for the annual Nyale fishing celebration. Usually falling in February or March each year, with thousands sleeping on the beach. On the 19th day of the 10th month in Sasak Calendar-generally February or march, hundreds of local gather on the beach.

 

When night falls, fires are built and the young people sit around competing with each other in rhyming couplets called Pantun. Theatrical dances, stick fighting and other kind of local cultural shows can be seen here. At dawn the next day, the first Nyale a caught, after which it is time for the Sasak teenagers to have fun. In colorful procession boys and girls sail out to sea – in different boats - chase one another with lots of noise and laughter. The worm-like nyale fish are eaten raw or grilled, and are believed to have aphrodisiac properties. A good catch is a sign that the rice harvest will also be good.

 

Kuta Lombok is nothing like Kuta Bali. Water buffalo are omnipresent along the miles and miles of weaving coastal roads that snake east and west along some of the finest beaches anywhere boasting incomparable hill top views of the sparkling azure waters. You will find some nice beachside restaurants anywhere in Indonesia, fresh fish galore and accommodations for every budget.

 

What To See

There are 5 main beaches in Kuta and nearby area, the main Kuta beach, Novotel Beach, Tanjung Ann Beach, Mawun and Selong Blanak beach.

 

KUTA BEACH IN KUTA VILLAGE

It's a nice beach for having a swim except low tide, for watching the fishermen and to enjoy the sunrise. The fine sand of Kuta Beach is a nice occasion for a relaxing walk. Most of the tourist facilities i.e; restaurants, accommodations, surf shops, telephone service, internet rental are located here.

 

NOVOTEL BEACH

Where the only 1st class hotel, Novotel is located. It is about 2-3km from Kuta beach Lombok. It is actually E part of the same bay of Kuta beach so that the water quality is better than Kuta beach. The beach itself is not private.

 

TANJUNG AAN

For miles in each direction east & west of Kuta you will find the stunning deserted beaches of your dreams. 5km east of Kuta is Tanjung Aan. This beach comprises of two sweeping white sand bays with perfect turquoise water. They are seperated in the middle by a rocky outcrop which you can climb.

 

MAWUN

From Kuta Beach towards west and over the hill, the great viewpoint with a gorgeous view over the bay of Kuta-Lombok. Following the road leads you to the bay of Mawun where a big tree invites to stay an have a picnic. The fine white sandy beach is an amazing place to relax body and soul.

 

SELONG BLANAK

About 6km over the steep hill. On the way from the top of a hill, you can get a beautiful view to Kuta Bay. However the hill is very steep so that you need to be very cautious to drive a motorbike.

 

What To Do in Kuta Lombok

Every day in paradise is precious so the pressure to not waste time on unworthy destinations is great. Between highlights gleaned from other travelers and tips from guidebook writers who may or may not be of similar travel tastes, you must choose wisely those destinations that deliver maximum enjoyment.

 

SURFING

Kuta Lombok is "surfers' paradise". Waves are excellent and many good surf points, such as Mawi, Mawun and etc include "Point X", along South coast of Lombok. Matahari Hotel or Kuta Indah has the wave information board. You probably have to ask locals to take you to the point with your surf board. Good place to hang around to get the surfing information and to see a bit of nightlife is Lombok Lounge.

 

Surfing spots in Kuta and South Coast of Lombok

 

GERUPUK BAY

This huge bay is about 7 km east Kuta. The bay itself is home to five different spots which work on various tide, wind and swell combinations. Basically you can always get a wave at Gerupuk. All waves can only be accessed by boat.
 

Inside Gerupuk: or Bumbang Bay, is a right-hander over a flat reef. It is suitable for all levels an has fun waves, with a long wall and a forgiving lip. On big days with a Southwest swell it can be a great spot to surf. This break is surfable at any seasons and can handle any wind, even the trade wind, as it is protected by the surrounding hills. Best on an incoming tide and can hold 10ft solid.

 

Outside Gerupuk: or Gili Golong. A right-hander that is good at mid to high tide, better take your booties at low. Multiple peaks outside offer big drops on takeoff bending into a hollow and fast inside section. Can hold 8-10ft but is best at 4-6ft, from October to April.

Don-Don: The furthest break inside the bay and as a result needs a bigger swell to break. Don Don is a perfect A-frame peak walling and bending both left and right. For all level of surfers. Can be good in any season as long as the winds are light. Works on any tide, with out going tide the best time.

Kid's Point: or Pelawangan, is another right-hander, only breaks on the biggest days, but when it works, its barrel city. Best on an incoming tide.

 

ARE GULING

A right hand reef break located on the west side of Kuta. Access by boat and land is possible. This break is one of the best right hander on the South Coast. Mid to low tides can see the inside section doubling up and barreling. A left hander on the other side of the bay is surfable, though only when its small. Need a north-west wind, most common from October to April. Are Guling can hold 8-10ft when perfect, but is best at 4-6ft.

 

SEGER BEACH

Located just 2 km from Kuta. Seger is a right reef break, with the occasional left off the peak. A good place when the swell drops. On mid tides and offshore winds this can be a great spot, with short tubes and bowly walls ready for any move you can think of. Need a light wind or north west wind, around Oct-April...

 

MAWI

Located 20 minutes west of Kuta. On small days this reef break offers a nice peak with short hollow rights and lefts. At 6ft plus, Mawi transforms into a heaving left barrel, with elevator drops and heavy hold downs. At 8-10ft it’s not a spot for the faint hearted. Best on mid tides and a south east trade wind, from May to September. Mawi can hold any size you're prepared to surf, just bring your balls!

 

EKAS BAY

Located to the east of Kuta and takes about 30 minutes by car to Awang and then another 20 mins by boat across the bay. Ekas is home to two spots.

Outside Ekas: is a left hander that starts working over 5ft and holds up to 10ft. The wave offers huge drops, acres of open face to carve and a ton of power to spare. Best on mid to high tides and a south east wind.

Inside Ekas: Located further inside the bay from Outside Ekas. A fun, walling peak, that can handle real size. Needs a big swell and south east winds, but on it day can offer very long rides and barrels on the inside of the right. Low tides for the right, higher tides for the left and holds 12ft plus.

 

BANGKO BANGKO OR DESERT POINT

Located on the South West Coast of Lombok, 3 hours drive from Kuta. On its day Desert Point is regarded as one of the best waves on the planet. Barrels of 20 seconds have been filmed there and 10 second tubes are common. Full or new moon low tides, a south east wind and a big swell are needed, most consistent from May to October. It can go weeks without waves, but just one Desert Point bomb will make the wait worth it. Experienced surfer only. Bring your booties an a good tube riding board.