Lombok is a neighbouring island to Bali.
Equally scenic, with maybe even better beaches. It is a much quieter, less developed alternative.
On Lombok, there are still just a few international hotels, mainly boutique style and are generally located on the west coast. We are delighted to introduce The Sira which has recently opened and is a welcome addition.
Comparisons with Bali are inevitable, but the two islands have more differences than similarities, which rather adds to the appeal. Both have high mountains and rice fields, but Lombok is much more rural, with the east coast rather arid.
Bali has a lively nightlife area and generally has an open, hedonistic vibe, with numerous restaurant options.
Lombok might have a few bars in the Senggigi resort area, but generally, you go to totally chill out and relax with most.
Bali is mainly Hindu with some Buddhist influences, whilst Lombok is predominantly Muslim.
Getting There
Lombok and Bali are linked by daily flights, taking about 25 minutes, most of which is going up and coming down. However, the airport in Lombok is located in the centre of the island, at least a 90-minute scenic drive from most of the west coast hotels.
There are also ferry services, taking about 3 hours. There are direct flights to Lombok most days from Singapore.
For the Gili Islands, most will access by ferry from Lombok, as it only takes about 20 minutes.
There are also several ferry services from/to Bali, taking about 2.5 hours depending on the line.
Accommodation
There are now several small boutique hotels, and we have access to good rates at most. Early booking is essential, especially in the months of July/August.
We particularly suggest The Sira, plus offer the well-established Oberoi, the boutique style of Jeeva Klui, plus the excellent friendly value of the Puri Mas.
Gili Islands
The three Gili Islands are located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, with Gili Air the closest and reached by speedboat in minutes. Gili Meno is in the middle, and Gili Trawangan is the furthest west but still only 20 minutes away by speedboat.
Gili T is the largest but still a diminutive 3 km long and 2 km wide. Of the resident population of around 3,500, about 60% live on Gili T. It has been known for attracting diving/snorkelling enthusiasts as well as backpackers for years and is known for its party scene with an east coast strip of numerous bars and beach clubs.
In recent years it has tried to move more upscale, and there are now a couple of good hotel options, sensibly located on the west coast.
Gili M is located in the middle and is the smallest and has a (relatively) more upscale style with a couple of good hotels, with special mention to The Bask resort, which is attracting a new range of clients to the island.
Gili A is probably the most visited as a day trip as closest to Lombok, but the accommodation options are limited.
The islands have no roads. Transport is by horse-drawn cart (mind your head when you get in), by bike or on foot.
The beaches on Gili A tend to be more sandy. Both Gili T and Gili M have a lot of white coral with a certain “ouch” factor. Snorkelling and diving are good from all three, and the waters are usually clear with an abundance of underwater life. Unlike Bali & Lombok, the Gili Islands are almost flat, with little above 8 metres except the coconut trees.
The islands can also be reached by high-speed ferries from Bali, about 3 hours depending on service.
Note – During the months of July / August the sea crossing between Bali and Lombok or the Gili Islands can be exceedingly rough and would be against our advice. We suggest clients fly to Lombok and then continue by ferry for the short distance to Gili.
Natural Disasters – The Reality.
Indonesia sits within the so-called “Ring of Fire”, which is an area of tectonic activity within the Pacific Ocean. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes do occur on a regular basis. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or less occur on almost a weekly basis in some regions and are almost judged “un-newsworthy” by the local media.
Indonesia also has more active volcanoes, currently 129, than any other country in the world. This all adds to the drama of the scenery and the atmosphere of the destination. Boring it is not!
90% of clients rarely experience a severe earthquake or are impacted by a volcanic eruption (although you might catch sight of one in the distance), but they are very much a reality of considering/travelling to Indonesia.
If we were to be critical…
Don’t choose Lombok if shopping and nightlife are high on your priority list. The pleasures here are simple and natural. Although Lombok and Bali are just a short 25-minute flight apart, their cultures are very different.
Religion
In Bali the main religion is a unique combination of Hinduism and Buddhism, and they want you to share “the experience”, happily explaining why they are doing certain things.
In Lombok, it is a more conservative Islam, so the smiles are less spontaneous, maybe shyer, but once arrived, just as genuine.
“There’s no such thing as the best hotel, just the right one…”
Click for Booking Terms, Price Guides & Flight Information
All price guides are Per Person Sharing Double Room (Entry level), based on travel between May and/or June when prices are generally at their lowest and include promotional offers.
Supplements will probably apply at other times, particularly mid-summer in the Med, and for rooms and/or transfers arranged for single travellers.
For example, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean prices for winter can be approximately double the May – June level and about 50% more in Asia.
For the Mediterranean & Canary Islands, Caribbean, Arabia and the Indian Ocean (except Sri Lanka) price guides generally include airfare and transfers.
*For Sri Lanka and Far East we show a per person per night hotel guide, excluding air fare, as arrangements tend to be individually tailored multi-centre itineraries.
Please refer to Travel Advice on our home page or look at www.fco.gov.uk as the Foreign Office may have issued specific destination information on safety and terrorism.
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