Lombok island with kids: 6 things to do

During our two-week stay in Indonesia in November 2023, we spent four days on the island of Lombok, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Similar in size to Bali but far less well-known, Lombok offered exactly what we were looking for - a calmer, more relaxed stay with the kids. It's an absolute tropical paradise and easily accessible from Indonesia's major cities. We flew in from Surabaya in East Java, where we had been staying, but you could also reach Lombok by fast boat from Bali.

There are three main areas to stay on the island: Kuta, Senggigi, and Gili Islands. Kuta is a popular choice - though not to be confused with Kuta in Bali. Lombok's Kuta sits on the south coast and is especially loved by surfers. Senggigi is a bit calmer, while still offering easy access to shops and supermarkets. Gili Islands are small, car-free islands reachable by boats from Lombok. There are three to choose from, each offering a wide range of accommodation opstions. 

We chose Senggigi as our base, as it's conveniently located near the main attractions and serves as a good starting point for trips to the Gili Islands. We quickly settled into our ocean-view chalet with outdoor bath that the kids absolutely loved.

You can rent a car if you’re comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Since we weren’t used to that, so we opted for a chauffeured car service instead. Metered taxis are widely available, and your hotel can easily arrange one for you.

The best time to visit Lombok is between April and September, during the dry season, when you can expect clear skies. October to March is considered the rainy season, with higher humidity. That said, during our stay in November, we only experienced one afternoon rain (which the kids actually loved), and otherwise enjoyed mostly sunny days - perfect for swimming in the ocean.

What we did in Lombok that our kids loved:

Learning how to surf. There are many surf schools along the coast of Senggingi offering lessons for young children. Some even provide full packages, including transport to and from your hotel, lunch and photography. We chose Nemo surfing school for our lessons. The waves in our part of Senggigi were small and perfect for beginners, with soft golden sand - ideal for kids. As with many things in Indonesia, don't hesitate to negotiate the price. After just two afternoon of lessons, our kids were already catching waves on their own, standing up on their boards and riding them all the way to shore. 

Our 6-year-old on the surf board

Island hopping to the Gilis. A day trip to the Gili islands is a great option if you prefer not to stay overnight. From Bangsal Port, just a short drive from Senggigi, you can easily reach all three islands: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan. For the most budget-friendly option, you can take a public ferry (costing less than 1€), or choose a fast boat. We opted for a private boat, which cost around 30€ per boat (for up to 8 people, one way), giving us flexibility and comfort. All three islands offer dreamy white-sand beaches and are completely free of motorised vehicles. Gili Trawangan is the liveliest, known for its nightlife and wide range of restaurants. Gili Meno is quieter and more romantic - often called a honeymooners' paradise. Gili Air sits somewhere in between, with a relaxed vibe and a few laid-back beach bars. With a private boat, you can choose exactly where to go. We spent the morning in Gili Air, swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water, then enjoyed lunch before heading to Gili Meno for a relaxed afternoon.

The waters around Gili Meno

Eating fresh and delicious tropical fruits. Although this wasn't our kids’ first time in Indonesia, it was the first time our youngest (now 6) could truly enjoy and remember everything - she was only 2 during our last visit. Salak, also known as snake fruit, quickly became their absolute favourite - crunchy, slightly tart, and sweet. We had it everyday for breakfast. Rambutan, the bright red, hairy fruit with juicy flesh, was another hit. And of course, fresh coconuts water straight from young coconuts became our daily drink. We highly recommend visiting local markets and trying as many fruits as you can. The kids also loved the local mangoes, dragon fruit, and fresh lychees. 

Exploring waterfalls. Thanks to its volcanic landscape and lush terrain, Lombok is full of stunning waterfalls - truly a paradise for nature lovers. There are hundreds to explore, but one of the most famous is Sendang Gile, a beautiful two-tiered waterfall about 30 metres high, located a 2.5-hour drive from Senggigi. It's relatively easy to access, and the short hike makes it suitable even for kids. 

What we skipped to do, but you can definitely do if you have the time:

Hiking Mount Rinjani. Lombok is home to Indonesia's second-highest active volcano, Mount Rinjani (3,726 m). The main starting point for the hike is the village of Senaru, where Sendang Gile waterfall is also located. The full summit trek usually takes 2-3 days on well-maintained but challenging trails. Most trekkers opt for a shorter 2-day hike to the crater rim at 2,639 m, which is still moderately demanding but apparently very rewarding.

Visiting the Pink Beach. We were a bit sorry not to make it to the famous Pink Beach, but with a 3-hour drive one way from Senggigi, we simply couldn't fit it to our 4-day itinerary. While Lombok is surrounded by beautiful white-sand beach, Pink Beach is unique for its pink hue, created by fragments of coral and shells in the area.