Exposing the Exotic Mandalika

In relation to the origin of the name, Mandalika is indeed like a beautiful princess that captivates everyone’s heart. Aside from the quiet and peaceful beach, this 1.035 hectare tourism area in Central Lombok Regency also owns gorgeous hills and unique cultures that are waiting for you to explore.
To help you plan a vacation there, Traveloka and television program Celebrity on Vacation TRANS TV invite the charming actress, Yunita Siregar, to open the gate of the exotic Mandalika.

Selection of Beaches with Diverse Activities

The main attraction of Mandalika is the beach. Visit many beaches and try a variety of activities, such as surfing lessons, sunset viewing, and other water activities.

Location:West Praya District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (30 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

The calm current and sandy seabed make the place ideal to learn surfing.

The beach is unique for its two types of waves: strong waves in the western part and moderate waves on the rest of the area. For this reason, many tourists spend a long time surfing here.

There is no entrance fee for the visitors, but there is a parking fee of Rp10.000 for car and Rp5.000 for a motorbike.

Surfboard rental cost: Rp50.000 – Rp100.000/day

Surfboard rental + coach cost: Rp100.000 – Rp300.000/day

Tips:The best time to visit Selong Belanak Beach is from 09.00 and 15.00. Visiting when it’s dark is not recommended due to the lack of lighting.

Yunita’s impression:

– “Very ideal for you who want to learn surfing. The coach is friendly and experienced. Plus the wave on this beach is perfect to assist your learning experience.”

Location:West Praya District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (45 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

The sloping beach makes the water calm and ideal for water activities, such as trying out the banana boat or paddleboarding.

The water is greenish-blue in color, with soft and clean white sand.

Directly facing the Indian Ocean and has a coastline with a length of up to 2 kilometers.

There is no entrance fee for the visitors, but there is a parking fee of Rp10.000 for car and Rp5.000 for a motorbike.

Rent a banana boat for Rp150.000/hour or paddleboard for Rp50.000 – Rp100.000 based on duration.

Tips:Plan a visit in February to witness the Bau Nyale Festival on this beach.

Yunita’s impression:

– “Paddle boarding? Why not? We can have fun playing in the water with the local kids that will relieve your fatigue. I guarantee!”

Location:West Praya District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (45 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

Very famous for a large sandstone similar to an umbrella on the coast.

The beach is surrounded by hills and shaped like a bay. On certain months, the hills are covered with thick green grass.

Still clean and natural, no merchant stalls at the location.

Plenty of rocks and the waves are strong.

You can reach the beach by boat from Tanjung Aan Beach. It takes 15 minutes to cross and the cost for a round-trip is Rp300.000 (maximum capacity of 7 people).

Mind the steps while walking on slippery rocks to reach Batu Payung. It is recommended to wear shoes and sandals with a rubber sole.

There are many monkeys around Batu Payung. They run very fast and can take your things. So pay close attention to your belongings, like your camera and cell phone.

Yunita’s impression:

– “When you arrive, you will automatically reach for the phone or camera to take a selfie. It is such a unique stone!”

Location:West Praya District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (45 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

The ocean is very calm, like a large lake, since the beach is covered by the surrounding hills.

One of the beaches in Mandalika that are relatively undiscovered by tourists.

The quiet beach makes it perfect to enjoy sunbathing while gazing into the amazing blue ocean.

The sand is so soft, like baby powder.

There is no entrance fee for the visitors, but there is a parking fee of Rp10.000 for car and Rp5.000 for a motorbike.

You can rent a parasol and seats that cost around Rp75.000 per parasol.

Tips:For those wanting to relax with minimum exposure of the sun, choose a spot under the large tree in the middle of the beach.

Other Amazing Sides of Mandalika

Mandalika is more than just a beach. You can see beautiful hilly landscapes from various angles, spend the afternoon while waiting for the graceful sun to set, observe the local indigenous culture in several villages, and learn to weave using traditional looms.

Location: West Praya District, Central Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara (40 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

This place has a cluster of hills with diverse shapes, clean sandy beaches, healthy coral reef, and beautiful waves.

Several activities to do here include trekking, sunrise and sunset viewing, or picnic on top of the hill.

To feel the waves from the edge of the beach, come between morning to the afternoon before the beach begins to recede.

Wear trekking sandals or shoes to explore the hills.

Yunita’s impression:

– “We can really relax watching the sunset and the scenic view of Seger Beach from up here. I’ll be back here someday.”

Location: Sengkol, Pujut, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (30 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

In this village in Lombok Mandalika, you can see traditional houses built from clay mixed with cow dung and roof made of thatch. This is where the Sasak tribe lives.

The streets in this village are still very original, from soil mixed with gravel.

You can try weaving, also shop for signature souvenirs of Sasak woven fabric.

Visitors will write their names and origin in the guest book and pay a voluntary entrance fee.

Tips:If you want to know about the history of Sasak culture, you can ask the help from the village resident as a guide and pay a voluntary amount of tips later.

Yunita’s impression:

– “The name of this village might not as popular as Sade Village, but what caught my attention the most is the fact that every woman here, from a little girl to grandmothers, are great in weaving.”

Location: West Praya District, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (45 minutes from Lombok International Airport by car).

Not only a perfect place for sunset viewing, Merese Hill is also the best spot to enjoy the bird’s-eye view of Mandalika.

Just walk a short hike to see the view of Tanjung Aan coastline to Batu Payung.

When heading to the top, bring food and drink supply since there is no food and drink merchant on top.

Keep the environment clean by carrying your own trash upon leaving because it is difficult to find a trash can.

Transportation

Getting to Mandalika by Air

Several major airlines in Indonesia have direct routes to Lombok International Airport, including from Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bali. The airport also serves international round trip flights from Singapore and Malaysia.

Getting Around Mandalika

You can rent a car with rates start from Rp116.800/day for 6 people. The price excludes gasoline, meal allowance and accommodation for the driver. It takes around 20 minutes from the airport to Mandalika.