South Lombok - the undiscovered pearl of Lombok!

Until recently, due to its challenging reef breaks at BangkoBangko and Desert Point, south-west Lombok was only known among surfers. Now this paradise has also been discovered by scuba enthusiasts and vacationers searching for white beaches and relaxation. When the tide reaches its lowest level, you can watch women and children collecting clams, crabs and other "treasures of the sea". On Sundays, the traditional "off day" for the Indonesian community, you can see families with their children enjoying and playing at the beach. Join in the fun and laugh along with them

The roads in south-west Lombok are well maintained, and the scenic drive from Mataram or Lembar is fairly relaxing. The price for transport depends on your talent in bargaining and can vary quite a bit, so make sure you arrange the price before the journey starts.

Even though the clean white sandy beaches of Sekotong are among the best on Lombok, you will not find many travelers on these beaches. Here it's still possible to take relaxing walks along the beach without meeting annoying sellers trying to sell their watches, necklaces and so on. You also can experience the underwater paradise by snorkeling near one of the beaches or one of the many small islands in the bay of Sekotong. 

The local people in south-west Lombok haven't been influenced by mass tourism and are very friendly, sometimes curios. The language spoken is "Bahasa Indonesia"and "Bahasa Sasak". Many people also speak basic English and it's no problem for the traveler to communicate his needs. The inhabitants' main source of income in South Lombok is fishing and pearl farming (South Lombok's pearl farms are the main exporter of quality pearls in Indonesia). 

The southern Gili Islands – where to stay…

The South Gili Islands are a tropical little place with not much topside goings-on other than maybe renting a motorbike and exploring the shores, snorkeling, swimming, or of course scuba diving. It's quite perfect for couples and families who just want to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of an unspoiled region. The selection of accommodations has developed rather nicely over the last few years and we now find ourselves with a nice choice of hotels and resorts for all budget choices.

    

There is the Desert Point Lodge, a small basic homestay with Lumbung bungalows for around Rp 250.000/night as well as the Palm Beach Garden with bungalows from Rp 175.000 0 Rp 250.000. Also mainland based is the Bola Bola Paradis. A quaint little Resort/Hotel directly on the beach. Her you can find a restaurant that offers international dishes and rooms ranging from Rp 350.000 - Rp 465.000.

    

If you’re more about island feeling and boutique resorts, then the Gili Asahan Eco Lodge or the Pearl Beach Resort on Gili Asahan may be the choice for you. Located on the sunrise side of the island the Pearl Beach Resort offer 4 spacious bungalows at the beach and a handful of bamboo bungalows in the garden. It’s very tranquil and relaxed, if you’re looking for a quiet, tropical retreat, this is it. The Eco Lodge offers you the same comforts and tranquility on the sunset side of the island, if you’re a fan of great Italian cuisine, maybe this should be your choice.

    

If you’re looking for a sense of stylish sophistication, in short, an island paradise that allows you to escape the stressed infrastructure evident in Bali, yet a destination where they you can enjoy an elegant space of comfort and tranquility, complemented by a broad range of facilities and activities, then the brand new ko-ko-mo resort is the place for you. Situated off the southernmost tip of Lombok, ko-ko-mo Gili Gede, a serene and chic resort, overlooks the sparkling aqua seas of the Indian Ocean. The beachfront location of the resort, set on a white sand stretch of beach in a natural cove, provides a stunningly sheltered setting with an outlook over the many beautiful small islands and atolls that dot the ocean off the shores of Gili Gede.