If you’re a digital nomad with a passion for surfing, Kuta Lombok offers the perfect blend of remote work and world-class waves, making it one of Southeast Asia’s rising hotspots for surf travel and location-independent living.
Lombok is energetic, well connected, and tourist friendly, with a local culture that still shines strong. Here you’ll find waves offering the perfect canvas to develop your surfing, no matter what level you are.
I was taken by Lombok the first time I visited in 2021. It was my first surf trip outside of Australia, and I was mesmerized by the perfect Indonesian reef waves, the hot tropical weather, and the friendly people. After that 2 week holiday, I knew I wanted to go back to Kuta Lombok with enough time to really immerse myself in the island life.
A year later, with permission from my employer, I went to work remotely from Lombok for 2 months. In this article, I’ll tell you all about my experience living as a digital nomad and surfing in Kuta Lombok.
Guide to Surfing In Kuta Lombok
Best Time of Year to Surf in Lombok
Although it has two distinct seasons, a wet season spanning from October to April and a dry season from May to September, Lombok boasts rippable waves all year.
The key difference is that during the dry season there are onshore winds that can impact the non-protected breaks. Despite this, there are some fantastic, protected spots such as Mawi, Gerupuk, and Ekas to get stoked about if the winds are up.
Wet season opens up the surf possibilities and spreads the crowds.
Both times I have been to Lombok have been in July/August over the dry season. On the first trip, I wasn’t overly impacted by the winds, and I was able to surf anywhere. The second trip I experienced stronger wind, particularly later in the days, and mainly stuck to the protected spots. So it can vary, even within seasons!
Best Surf Spots in Kuta Lombok
There are more than 10 breaks that you can access within a 45 minute scooter ride of Kuta Lombok, and you can even surf the reef at Kuta beach itself. Most of the breaks require you to hire a boat to take you out to the reef, however, a few such as Mawi, Seger and Serangan are within easy paddling distance.
The surf breaks cater for a range of levels and abilities, and Lombok is known for having some mellower and more user friendly waves than other Indonesian islands. However, they aren’t all that way, so don’t fret if you are looking for something more advanced- there are plenty of fast, hollow, and more powerful rides, and in typical Indo style, the waves here get some good size.
Apart from the world famous barrelling left hander, Desert Point, the most well-known surf spot near Kuta Lombok is Gerupuk Inside. It’s popular for being a super consistent, peeling right hander, and only 15 minutes away from Kuta. Within Gerupuk Bay there are 4 other surf spots, from beginner waves at Kids Point, to more advanced waves as you get to the more exposed, outer edge of the Bay.
For more about the best surf spots in Lombok, check out our detailed guides, which will tell you about the conditions at each spot, how to get there and whether or not you’ll want to pack reef boots!
Surf Crowd Levels in Lombok
Crowd wise, Lombok is known for being Bali’s less busy counterpart. Despite that, don’t expect it to be quiet and to have the lineup to yourself. Lombok is a growing tourist destination, and it still draws in a lot of visitors and surfers.
Surf Camps in Kuta Lombok
Surf camps have exploded in Lombok, and they are a great way to get to know the area if you’ve never been and can take some time off work. If you want a camp that is focused on surfing rather than partying, with high level coaching, I highly recommend Drop In surf camp.
Working Remotely in Kuta Lombok: Tips for Digital Nomads
Kuta Lombok is well connected and very conducive to online remote work. I didn’t experience any power cuts or internet drop outs during my 2 months working full time there.
For internet on the go, local sim cards are cheap and readily available (just bring your passport to register). Telkomsel offers good coverage on the island, and you can manage your plan ongoing and get deals through their app.
-> Tip: when buying a sim card, save money by buying a local prepaid card rather than the tourist cards. You will likely need to specifically ask for this at the shop, because the merchant will automatically give you the tourist one.
When staying long term and working remotely, it’s comforting to know that the city Mataram is only about an hour away from Kuta. If you ever find yourself in a tough spot in need of electronics or other work supplies, you would likely find them in the city.
Best Workspaces for Digital Nomads in Kuta Lombok
If you are like me and need a proper chair and setup (I wish my back would let me sit and work in a cafe!) there is a great co-working space at Kuta beach called South Lombok Cowork. It’s 24 hours, has a French Press (bring your own coffee), and strong enough wifi to support large video calls.
If you prefer a less formal setting, there are several cafes and hotels in town with Wi-Fi. Loka Cafe and Milk Espresso are frequented by nomads with their laptops.
Kuta’s Community, Culture and Religion
Community in and Around Kuta Lombok
Want to never feel alone? Go to Lombok and you’ll be surrounded by friendly locals wanting to chat you up, as well as other tourists and nomads from around the world who are generally “good vibes” kind of people.
The local Sasak people are very kind and have strong family values. A few times I found myself invited over to meet friend’s families, and they were always incredibly generous, offering a meal together.
Language Spoken in Lombok
Many of the younger locals work in tourism related industries and will know some English, enabling conversation. Even with the older generations, there’s something to be said about trying to have a conversation through Google translate and hand gestures!
The local language is Sasak, but locals will also know Bahasa Indonesia (the national language). The term “Bahasa” means language to the Indonesian people, and any effort you make to speak in Bahasa Indonesia or Sasak will be well received, and you’ll find the locals will offer to teach you new words.
Lombok’s Religious Values
The Muslim religion is prominent in Lombok, and it is good to respect it while you are there, particularly in terms of dress. You will see signs asking not to wear swimwear away from the beach. Personally, I found I was most comfortable wearing t-shirts for a bit of modesty, rather than tank tops and crop tops.
The Best Places to Eat in Kuta Lombok
The food, the food, the food! I absolutely love Indonesian cuisine, and Kuta has endless amounts of street food, local warungs, and westernized cafes and restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites:
Warung Asa Jawa – the best local food. Get there early in the day for the best selection of Nasi Campur, otherwise order mouthwatering curry off the menu.
Loka Cafe – an absolute staple, I ate here nearly every day. They are the best place for a healthy, fresh meal. They also have a fantastic gym and recovery centre!
Terra – delicious, plant based food with a rooftop level that overlooks the street. They sell natural peanut butter here, and you can also take home an entire loaf of their amazing, gluten free bread.
Satay – the complete opposite of the plant based cafe above, the side of the road chicken satay is a must try. You’ll find it in multiple locations.
Milk Espresso – best coffee in Kuta, and they also sell coffee beans.
Getting Around Lombok
The best way to get around Lombok is to rent a scooter or a motorcycle. Unless you are with a surf camp, you will need a bike to get to the surf breaks, the popular spots being between a 15 minute -1.5 hour ride of Kuta.
I was able to rent a small scooter for IDR 2.2m for 7 weeks. You will pay more for a newer bike and for shorter terms rentals.
Accommodation in Kuta Lombok: Best Options for Long-Term Stays
As a digital nomad in Lombok, you’ll be able to find accommodation of all types and price ranges, depending on the level of luxury you are going for.
For long term, affordable stays, I recommend joining expat facebook groups such as the “Living Loving Kuta Expat Community”. People often post rooms in share houses, or post their homes for rent while they travel. I was lucky enough to score a beautiful, western style home in the middle of Kuta that a girl from Spain was renting out while she went back to visit her friends & family. I had friendly local neighbours, a full kitchen, and was really able to feel “at home” not staying in a hotel.
Safety in Kuta Lombok
Despite its growing popularity, Kuta Lombok is still quite safe. I had no issues leaving my belongings with my bike or on boats at any of the surf spots. In addition to that, people are very helpful, and will be there to assist if you run into trouble.
Top Tips for Digital Nomad Surfers in Lombok
- Consider a surf camp in Lombok when you first arrive to get to know the many surf breaks
- Reef boots provide an added layer of comfort on a low tide
- If you are friendly with the locals, they will be welcoming to you, which gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture
- Join expat facebook groups for additional accommodation options
- Although several places will take card, you will still need cash in Lombok for boats, certain restaurants, and purchasing from markets – see what I spent in Lombok to help build your budget
- Invest in travel insurance that covers surfing and remote work
- Read our Top Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling as a Digital Nomad before going and be prepared in the event of reef cuts or food poisoning
Conclusion
Kuta Lombok is the perfect destination for digital nomads who want to balance work with adventure. Whether you’re catching epic waves, learning about the local culture, or enjoying the comforts of a vibrant expat community, you’ll find that this island offers everything you need to live and work remotely. The combination of surf, culture, and modern amenities makes Kuta Lombok an ideal spot for those looking to escape the everyday grind and immerse themselves in a simpler lifestyle.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Be sure to check out our surfing and remote work tips to plan an unforgettable adventure.
