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Lombok & The Gili Islands: Volcano Views, Village Life and Turtle‑Filled Seas

After an incredible small group adventure in Bali, we left Bali behind and set off early from Padang Bai to begin the next stage of our adventure on Lombok island. We boarded the local slow ferry, settling into the slightly tired but air‑conditioned VIP lounge. The reclining seats and cool air made the 4.5‑hour crossing surprisingly comfortable and the time passed more quickly than I expected.

Stepping off the ferry into the heat of Lombok, we met our new bus and drove south towards Kuta Mandalika.

Sasak Village Visit: Traditional Life in Rural Lombok

On the way to Kuta we stopped at a traditional Sasak village, a highlight if you are interested in culture and community‑based tourism in Lombok. Here we saw how people live in very simple, rural conditions. The houses are basic huts with floors made from a mixture of clay and cow dung, cool underfoot and surprisingly smooth.

We met the oldest resident in the village, an 82‑year‑old widow who has lived alone since her husband died a decade ago. She welcomed us into her home and happily posed for photos. The village, home to around 35 families, felt both beautiful and traditional, a fascinating insight into Sasak culture and daily life on Lombok.

Kuta Mandalika: Laid‑Back Surfer Vibes & Sunset Views

Arriving in Kuta Mandalika, the main beach town in south Lombok, we stopped for lunch at the Treehouse Café before checking into Puri Rinjani Bungalows, our base for two nights.

That evening we wandered into town and chose an Italian restaurant for dinner, which turned out to be the only disappointing meal of the whole trip. The highlight of the night instead was meeting up with fellow Travel Counsellor Cadge Lewis, who now lives in Lombok and joined us for a catch‑up.

The next day Julie and I hired a scooter, one of the easiest ways to explore south Lombok’s coastline. We rode about 25 minutes up the coast to Tampah Beach, a quiet stretch of sand perfect for a relaxed beach day. We spent the morning sunbathing, swimming in the sea and enjoying a simple beachfront lunch.

Later in the afternoon, Cadge met us again and led us out of town to a viewpoint for sunset. As the sky turned golden over the hills and coastline, we were once more joined by mischievous monkeys, one of whom managed to steal Cadge’s water bottle. It added a bit of comedy to an otherwise peaceful Lombok sunset.

Tetebatu Rice Fields & Benang Kelambu Waterfalls

Leaving Kuta behind, we headed north towards the interior of Lombok. Our first stop was Tetebatu, a community known for its rice terraces and rural scenery. Led by a local guide, we enjoyed a short trek through the Tetebatu rice fields, learning about rice cultivation and the process of making traditional rice crackers. A tasty buffet lunch followed, full of local dishes.

From Tetebatu we continued up towards Mount Rinjani, Lombok’s famous volcano, to visit the Benang Kelambu waterfalls. The pools here are ideal for a refreshing swim in a lush, jungle setting. Unfortunately, our timing coincided with two huge groups of schoolchildren, so it was very busy. On a quieter day it would be a wonderfully tranquil spot. Our local guides, two cheerful brothers, kept us smiling the whole time with their constant “lovely jubbly” catchphrase.

Senggigi Beach: Sunset Strolls on Lombok’s West Coast

By late afternoon we arrived at Senggigi Beach and checked into the Puri Saron Hotel. After a short stroll along the sandy beach, we opted for a relaxed dinner in the hotel restaurant. Senggigi has a more established resort feel, with a mix of local warungs and small beachfront hotels, and it makes a good overnight stop on a Lombok itinerary.

From Lombok to the Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Meno & Air

The next morning we drove along the coast to Pemenang, stopping at a viewpoint with sweeping views across the bay towards the Gili Islands. From the harbour we transferred onto two small boats with our luggage and sped across the turquoise water to Gili Trawangan, the liveliest of the three main Gili Islands.

Arriving at Hotel Vila Ombak, right on the beach, we were too early to check in, so we left our bags at reception and walked to the nearby night market. Here we rented masks, snorkels and fins, then joined a local boat trip to explore three of the best snorkelling spots in the Gili Islands.

Our first stop was Turtle Point at the north end of Gili Trawangan, where we swam alongside graceful sea turtles gliding through the clear water. This is exactly the sort of Gili Islands snorkelling experience people dream about.

Next we headed to Gili Meno and dived down to see the famous underwater “ring of statues” on the seabed, an atmospheric and slightly surreal sight. We also visited a small turtle sanctuary on the island, which helps protect and release baby turtles.

Finally, we continued to Gili Air for more snorkelling over colourful coral reefs before heading to the beach for a leisurely lunch at a local seafood restaurant, toes in the sand and ocean views all around.

Back on Gili Trawangan in the late afternoon, we checked into our pretty bungalows at Vila Ombak and cooled off with a swim in the pool. That evening we wandered back to the night market, choosing fresh fish and skewers to be cooked in front of us for dinner, a delicious and budget‑friendly way to eat on Gili T.

Slow Island Life on Gili Trawangan

The next morning we set out to walk the full loop around Gili Trawangan, roughly five miles in total. With no cars on the island, just bicycles and horse‑drawn cidomos, it feels relaxed and low‑key, but the heat made the walk feel longer than it sounds.

We stopped en route at Wilson’s Retreat for a cold drink and a dip in the pool, a perfect pause with a beautiful beachfront setting. The afternoon was spent back at the hotel, where I caught up on work and enjoyed more time by the pool. It was the ideal balance of activity and downtime on a Gili Islands escape.

Fast Ferry Back to Bali & A Final Night in Sanur

All too soon it was time to leave the Gilis and return to Bali. We boarded the fast ferry back to Sanur. The boat was packed, cramped and very hot, and those couple of hours felt much longer than our earlier slow ferry to Lombok. We were very glad to step back onto dry land.

A hot minibus transfer took us back to Swastika Bungalows in Sanur. We wasted no time jumping straight into the pool to cool off after the journey.

At around 4 pm the power went out and did not return until about 11 pm, but we still headed out for dinner because it was our final night with the group. The restaurant handled the power cut brilliantly, cooking everything on the grill by emergency lighting. It turned into a surprisingly atmospheric final meal, full of laughter, storytelling and that bittersweet feeling that comes at the end of a special trip.

From traditional Sasak villages and Tetebatu rice fields to the beaches of Kuta Mandalika, Senggigi sunsets and Gili Trawangan’s turtle‑filled waters, Lombok and the Gili Islands offered a quieter, more laid‑back side to Indonesia after busy Bali. It was the perfect way to round off our adventure before heading onwards.

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