Lombok

[nightmonkey]

Traveling to Lombok late June early July. Looking for any advice for spots and guides. Also anyone else heading that way at the same time up for a paddle. Staying at the Novotel on the south side.

[jaffa1949]

Peak surf season there Night monkey good choice!
There is a break right on the beach where you are staying, known strangely enough as Novotel, other spots within the kuta Lombok stretch, head east along the south coast, there will be someone who will for the right rupiah take you to Grupuk and further still Ekas but you will need a boat then access Ekas.

Most of the areas have a mean break ( read expert to death slab) somewhere and a more mellow spot nearby.
If you want truly epic you could try for desert point you'll need your number one expert level barrel game there.
There are also breaks up the west and north coast that work on huge swells penetrating through the Lombok strait, those are the Gillie isles. Euro party and diving central.
Some good news too, Kuta Lombok is not as crowded as Kuta Bali ( yet).
Be respectful and modest in your clothing away from the beach areas there are strong Muslim areas inland.
If you travel up the volcano (Rinjani) go with an experienced guide , there have been assaults on unaccompanied tourists there. If you go try and be on the summit for sunrise.
Have fun good choice

[nightmonkey]

Thanks heaps Jaffa for the info. Sounds good. The Mrs will be able to chill on the beach while I surf out front by the sounds of it if conditions allow. Am frothin for a decent paddle. Surf here's been trash for a while.

[SteveF]

Think your talking about Novotel on South coast Lombok. Theres a right hander out front of Novotel, will be wind affected but should be glassy in the mornings. Just follow the crowds. Theres a bay further along the road with a couple of good waves, head in the other direction over a big hill and you will look down on a series of bays with surf.
They'll have a surf guide/driver or can get you one at the Novotel, no doubt. just check magic seaweed lol

[SteveF]

yeah forgot to mention. Although I haven't been there for a while I used to go a lot in the late80s -90s. South coast Lombok is famous for bandits. DO NOT ever take you passport, valuables, wallet to the beach. I was in the surf one day and watched girls get robbed at machete point. Pretty much every time I have been there there are incidents. Its a poor place, and I can imagine that things may have improved with the increase in tourism income for locals - but be wary. Had some sketchy incidents in Lombok. Avoid drunk locals too

[jaffa1949]

You're right Steve, awareness of your property and personal safety is important.
I also add that be aware that a woman sunbathing on a beach away from a resort area can lead to issues of harassment and offence to local strict Muslim beliefs.
Go gently in your travels!

[nightmonkey]

Thanks for the heads up guys. Will take all the advice onboard. Not long now till we head off. Had some good local conditions so am paddle fit & frothin.