Selong Belanak Beach: Why This is Lombok’s Best Beginner Surf Spot

Selong Belanak Beach is one of a few Lombok surf beachesthat is just perfect for beginners. The waves are slow, the bottom is sand, and the waves are easy to access. No razor sharp reef, jumping off of boats, or getting pounded by sets.  This article explains what it is like to go surfing at Selong Belanak Beach, how to get surfing lessons, what else there is to do in the area, and where to eat after you surf! 

The area around Selong Belanak is nowhere near as busy as Kuta Lombok, but has its own laid back vibe.  During the dry season months when the tradewinds rip through a lot of the breaks around Kuta, intermediate and advanced surfers could potentially use one of the many accommodation options near Selong Belanak Beach as a home base to surf Mawi Beach and Serengan Beach.

No matter what surfing level you are and even if you don’t surf at all, you will appreciate the beauty of Selong Blanak.  White sand, aquamarine seas, water buffalo sightings and I kid you not, one of the best sunsets in the world awaits!  For more Lombok info, see our Lombok surf and travel guide.

Selong Belanak Surf 

Selong Belanak Beach is a well-protected bay with pretty consistent slow, soft rolling waves, making it an ideal place for beginners learning to surf. The gentle waves are easy to catch and don’t break too far from the shore, allowing you to get plenty of opportunities to practice without spending too much energy paddling out. There’s also no reef here, so no need to worry about injuries from falling off your board – which is inevitable when you’re learning!

When to Surf Selong Belanak Beach 

Selong Belanak Beach offers waves that don’t change too much depending on the season, so it’s a good spot to surf year-round. That being said, the dry season (May-September) is the optimal period for surfing and for the direction that Selong Belanak faces so you can expect consistent sun and wind conditions during these months. 

What Board to Ride at Selong Belanak 

A soft-top longboard is the best option for the Selong Belanak surf, as this is the perfect board for anyone new to surfing. Soft tops are ideal for beginners as they’re a lot more forgiving than fibreglass options – the foam structure provides stability and buoyancy, which make it much easier to paddle and stand up. Most lessons include board rental, and if you want to practice after lessons you can rent your own board for around 50,000 IDR. 

Surf Lessons at Selong Belanak Beach 

There are plenty of options when it comes to surf lessons at Selong Belanak Beach. If you’re wanting to try a single lesson, schools like Muls, Aqia and Luana are all reputable options offering both group and private lessons. Lessons are usually two hours long and start with learning the fundamentals on-shore, before moving into the water. 

If you want to spend a longer period of time learning the sport and enjoying the Selong Belanak surf, you can book a surf camp with a company like Surf Camp 79. This is a great way to really learn the sport as it enables you to get plenty of hours of practice, with instructors that can highlight your weak spots and help you correct them. Camps usually include accommodation, meals, and evening activities, as well as board and rashguard hire – making them a great all-inclusive option.  

Many of the guides and surf camps based in Kuta Lombok also take beginners to surf at Selong Belank Beach. 

Other Surf Spots Near Selong Belanak

• Mawi Beach – located a 25 minute drive away, Mawi offers a reef break that is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers. The waves here are consistent and powerful, and it’s a lot quieter than Selong. 
• Serengan Beach – just a 12 minute drive north west, Serengan is a popular rainy season surf spot and boasts a long right-hander that’s best surfed on a mid-low tide. This is a reef break and conditions are very wind sensitive, so it’s best suited to intermediate to advanced surfers.  

Where is Selong Belanak Beach?

Selong Belanak is located on the south coast of the Indonesian island of Lombok, which is part of the West Nusa Tenggara Province. The stretching bay is known for its pristine white sand and postcard-worthy blue water, and it’s renowned as one of Lombok’s best beginner surf spots. 

How to Get to Selong Belanak Beach 

There are a handful of options for getting to Selong Belanak, depending on where your trip is starting from and how you prefer to travel. If you’re staying in Kuta Lombok, it’s around a 45 minute drive by car or motorbike. 

There are direct flights into Lombok’s international airport from a few destinations, including Bali, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. From the airport, it’s around half an hour’s drive to Selong Belanak Beach, by private transfer or shared hotel shuttle. Alternatively, it’s easy to rent a car or bike from the airport and drive yourself – the roads in the area are pretty new so are smooth and easy to drive on. 

Alternatively, if you’re visiting Selong Belanak as part of a wider Indonesia trip, the easiest place to travel from is the Gili Islands. It takes around 15 minutes to travel by speed boat to Teluk Nare Harbour, and from there, it’s a 2-hour drive south to Selong Belanak. 

Things to Do at Selong Belanak Beach 

Surfing is easily the most popular activity on Selong Belanak Beach, so you’ll find heaps of options when it comes to board rentals and instructors – they’re in no short supply here.

It’s a very laid-back beach so other than surfing, the main thing to do is to kick back and relax! You can rent loungers with umbrellas to spend the day enjoying the sun, and the beach is lined with places to eat and drink – there’s a good mix of both local warungs and restaurants serving international food. 

Hawkers make their way up and down the beach selling everything from fresh coconuts to handmade crafts, so make sure to bring some cash if you might fancy buying anything. Every day at 5:00 pm, local farmers bring their buffalo down to the water to cool off, which makes for a great photo opportunity! The Selong Belanak Beach Buffalo are local celebrities of sorts, and it’s a pretty cool spectacle to watch. 

Other Lombok Spots near Selong Belanak Beach 

The south coast of Lombok isn’t lacking when it comes to picturesque beaches, and lots of these are easily reachable from Selong Belanak. Some of the best are Mawi Beach, a peaceful white sand cove flanked by lush green hills, and Nambung Beach which is known for its rugged rock pools. 

It’s around a 40-minute drive to Kuta Beach, one of Lombok’s most popular areas with tourists. This is a more built-up area than Selong Belanak, but it still offers the rugged charm and relaxed vibe that Lombok is known for. If you want to scuba dive during your time in Lombok, Kuta is the area with the most dive schools. 

Another nearby spot worth visiting is the Penujak Pottery Village, the oldest pottery centre in Lombok. Here you can learn about how traditional pottery is created, as well as the history of the craft and its cultural importance to the island’s natives. 

Selong Belanak Beach Accommodation 

• Sempiak Seaside – luxurious with amazing views on top of the hill
• Seven Havens – high end with infinity pool and views 
• Driftwood – mid-range, but stylish 
• Wonderwaves Surfing Academy – budget surf camp 
• Selong Belanak Bungalows – easy on the budget, immerse yourself in local culture

The choices when it comes to Selong Belanak beach accommodation are varied, and there are plenty of options no matter your budget and travel style. Luxury travellers can enjoy the comfort of upscale hotels like Sempiak Seaside and Seven Havens, both of which are located in beautiful surroundings with infinity pools overlooking the picture-perfect views of the beach.  

Mid-range travellers are well catered for as well, with Selong Belanak hotels like Driftwood and Suku Lifestyle providing stylish accommodation at a very reasonable price point. Backpackers and budget travellers can choose from a range of cheap options like staying at a dorm at Wonderwaves Surfing Academy, or a homestay like Selong Belanak Bungalows.

Where to Eat at Selong Belanak Beach 

• Warung Corner and Moda Warung for local food 
• Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant for seafood, cocktails, and sunsets
• Surf Kitchen for Burgers 

The beach is lined with great options for food and drink. Make sure to try local warungs for a taste of authentic Indonesian food – some of the best are Warung Corner and Moda Warung for meals like Gado-Gado and Nasi Goreng. 

Other spots worth trying are Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant which is a great choice for seafood, and the outside seating is a great place to watch the beautiful Selong Belanak sunset. Surf Kitchen is another great eatery, serving an international menu (the burgers are some of the best in Lombok!) alongside a super laid-back vibe. 

Selong Belanak Beach – Learn to Surf in Lombok 

Selong Belanak Beach is one of the best places in Lombok for beginner surfers. If you’ve never surfed before, or have had a few lessons but want to spend some time practising and building your confidence, this is a great choice for your next surf trip. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a great place to spend a week or two, and the extensive options when it comes to Selong Belanak hotels and dining make for an enjoyable time in between catching waves. 

👉 For detailed surf spots, conditions, and who each beach suits, explore the Surf Beaches Lombok: Lombok’s Best Surf Spots Guide.

👉 For transport, seasons, accommodation, and planning your trip, see the Lombok Surf & Travel Guide.