Selong Belanak is a long, white-sand bay on Lombok’s south coast, framed by green hills on both sides. It has the gentlest surf in Lombok, clear water and a slow village pace, and it is our home: Villa Kai Lani sits in the hills just above it, 5 minutes from the sand.
This is the guide we give our own guests, covering the beach, the surf and our favourite places to eat.
The beach
The bay is sheltered by headlands, so the water is usually calm and very clear, and you may spot fish or the odd turtle. The sand is soft and white, and the waves at the shore are small, which makes it one of the easiest beaches in South Lombok for families.
Morning is the quietest time, with glassy water and the beach mostly to yourself.
Afternoon is when the surf schools and beach warungs are busiest. Rent a sunbed or umbrella from one of them, or order a drink and use theirs.
Sunset over the bay is the main event. Find a spot at the southern end and stay for the colours.
Water buffalo still graze in the fields along the road into Selong Belanak. Ask us and we’ll point you to where the herders usually are.
Feeling active? A coastal walking trail of about 4 km links Selong Belanak with the quieter beaches of Telawas, Semeti and Mawi. Walk one way and we’ll arrange a pick-up at the other end. The currents at Telawas are strong, so save your swim for Selong Belanak.
Surfing
There are three breaks within easy reach of the villa, so there’s a wave for every level.
Selong Belanak: best for beginners. A sandy-bottomed beach break where the waves are usually soft, waist-high rollers, even when the swell is bigger elsewhere. You can stand up in the shallows, and there’s little paddling. Surf schools line the beach with boards to rent and lessons by the hour. It’s where most of our guests, children included, catch their first wave.
Mawi: for confident surfers. A left-hander over reef in a wild, secluded bay about 20 minutes’ drive west, the last stretch on a bumpy track. It’s best on a clean day with a solid swell.
Serangan: for intermediates and up. A long right-hander that peels off the reef like a point break. Local boats run across the bay, and it works best in the wet season.
Your villa manager can book lessons, a local surf guide or a boat to the outer breaks. For the cleanest, most consistent surf, come in the dry season, from May to October.
Where to eat and drink
Selong Belanak is still a village, so dining is relaxed: barefoot beach bars, simple warungs and a handful of cafés. These are the places we send guests to.
On the beach
Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant. Driftwood décor, cold drinks and sunset views right on the sand, about 7 minutes from the villa. Our pick for a first evening.
Beach warungs. Fresh coconuts, mie goreng and grilled fish under the trees. Most also rent boards and sunbeds.
In the village
Sookla Cafe. A small corner café with a shaded wooden terrace, good coffee, homemade cakes and fresh breakfasts made with local produce. Perfect before or after a morning surf, and they’ll pack it to take to the beach.
Bambini Cafe. A new espresso bar on the main road through the village, open from 7:30am, for great coffee, pastries and brunch before or after the beach.
Pronto Pizza. Generous, wood-fired-style pizzas, plus pasta and burgers, from 1pm to 10pm. They’ll deliver straight to your spot on the beach.
Three Sisters. Chinese cooking in the village centre, with plenty of vegan options. Don’t miss the crispy chicken dumplings.
Ikigai. Build-your-own salads, açaí and smoothie bowls, for a fresh lunch after the beach.
Warung Corner. Our go-to for local food: friendly, family-run and affordable.
Worth the drive
Codium. A barefoot beachfront restaurant at Tampah Beach, cooking Mediterranean dishes with Indonesian flavours over an open fire: local seafood, seaweed and seasonal vegetables, with wine and cocktails as the sun goes down. Book a table on WhatsApp.
Biras, Tampah Hills. An open-air beach bar on the sand at Tampah, under alang-alang roofs, serving breakfast through dinner with a mix of Western, Asian and Indonesian dishes. Come for the daily happy hour and sunset cocktails, and look out for their weekly barbecues and outdoor movie nights.
Boni Beach, Serangan. Our absolute favourite. A boutique hotel restaurant looking straight out over Serangan Bay, cooking with local ingredients, with fresh bread baked in-house and homemade ice cream. A short drive from the villa, and perfect for a long lunch.
Or skip the restaurants entirely. Our private chef can cook breakfast, lunch or dinner at the villa, and a seafood dinner on the terrace, as the sun goes down over the bay, is hard to beat.
Getting there and when to go
Selong Belanak is about 35 minutes (24 km) by road from Lombok International Airport, and around 30 minutes from Kuta, Lombok. We can arrange a driver to meet you at arrivals, and a car and driver for day trips during your stay.
The dry season, roughly April to October, brings sunny days and the most consistent surf. April to June and September are the sweet spot, with good weather and fewer crowds; July and August are the busiest months. From November to March, rain usually comes as a short afternoon downpour, the hills turn a deep green, and the beaches are at their quietest.
Stay with us
Villa Kai Lani is a fully staffed four-bedroom villa in the hills above Selong Belanak, with a private pool, a home gym and views across the bay. It sleeps 8, and the bunk room, baby equipment and helpers’ room make it easy for families. Our villa manager can arrange surf lessons, a private chef, Secret Gilis snorkeling trips and everything in this guide.
Explore the villa · Check availability and book direct · Message us on WhatsApp
