|
|
 The best-known place on the south coast is Lombok's Kuta Beach (Sometime spelt Kute Beach), a magnificent stretch of white sand and blue sea with rugged hills rising around it, but not much else. It very small development with far fewer tourist than in famous kuta beach on Bali, but there are big plans to develop a whole stretch of the superb south coast with luxury hotels. Not to be confused with its namesake in Bali, Kuta is an area of wind swept beaches and large rock outcrops that combine for awe inspiring beauty. Kuta and south Lombok is well known by surfers and as such has several melati & losmen (homestay) style accommodations. However that said, one of the Lombok's premier hotels, the Novotel Coralia, can be found here.
Kuta, Lombok is famous for the incredibly beautiful beach. When the tide is low the bay turn into shallow water pool and the color of the water turns into turquoise. You can see the photo of the beach at the many internet cafes in Indonesia. Look for the wall paper on the computer screen. S coast of Lombok is also famous for the high waves. Also Kuta is a good base for the surfers.
After many years of speculation there are signs something is happening, with the road from Praya completely remade and big new road running to as yet undeveloped beaches. A construction site has been fenced off for a Novotel project. Meanwhile, the low budget Losmen at Kuta are all on limited leases, and seem to trying to get maximum income from minimum investment-some of theme are looking decidedly squalid. Travelers are reporting some hassles here too. People flock to Kuta for the annual Nyale fishing celebration. Usually falling in February or March each year, with thousands sleeping on the beach. The main tourist season is August and for the rest of year it’s very quite.
Surfing
 Plenty of good waves break on the reefs around here – many supposedly “Secret”. There are lefts and rights in the bay in front of Kuta, and some more on reefs east of Tanjung Aan. Local boatman will take you out for a few thousands rupiah. Go about seven km east of the Kuta to the fishing village of Gerupak, where there are several potential breaks on the reefs at the entrance of Gerupak Bay. Again access is by local fishing boat. There’s more breaks further east and west, from Blongas to Serewi, but nearly all require a boat: the charter rate is about 120.000 to 150.000 rp per day. Bigger yacht from Bali do surf charters along the whole of LOMBOK south coast. There aren’t many secrets.
Nyale Fishing Festival
On the 19th day of the 10th month in Sasak Calendar-generally February or march-hundreds of Sasak gather on the beach. When night falls, fires a built and the young people sit around competing with each other in rhyming couplets called Pantun. At dawn the next day, the first Nyale a caught, after which it is time for the Sasak teenagers to have fun. In colorful procession boys and girls sail out to sea – in different boats - chase one another with lots of noise and laughter. The worm-like nyale fish are eaten raw or grilled, and are believed to have aphrodisiac properties. A good catch is a sign that the rice harvest will also be good.
The journey to Kuta gives you an opportunity to see the real Indonesia, passing several small towns for and chance to shop for handicrafts made the old fashioned way - by hand. FYI, in order to remain objective hotels are listed in alphabetical order. We don't favor any hotel for any reason.
There are two large, steep hills right near the break. Easy to spot from the hotel and from the water. Head out from here and start walking across rocks,coral, and sea urchins until its deep enough to paddle. Find the channel, its very close to a huge rock out in the water, be careful not to ride close to it, because it gets shallow. The waves are nice, but trying to get back out is really annoying. Getting pounded. We saw two guys who looked to be good, and they had some sick rides but they were getting worn out. I'm not really that good, I only lasted a little, and caught one ride, but it was good. I'm definitely a beginner, but I don't think I'll ever try that spot again, it was just too much for me to catch one. The reef goes into a large bay which is right in front of the hotel Novotel. It can get shallow.
Transport to Kuta Beach
How to get here by public transport from Mataram.
Take a bemo from the bus terminal to Praya 3000Rp/p
then to Sengkol 3000Rp/p, then to Kuta, 3,000Rp All tourist fares.
The bemo arrives at the intersection where you can see a Cafe(closed) on the right just after passing Puri itoma Bungalows or the right. If you turn right from here, you can find a few hotels including Matahari Hotel and continuing to another beautiful half moon crescent bay, 6km from Kuta. If you go straight you can reach W side of Kuta beach. If you turn left, the road continues to Kuta beach hotel area. Your transport to Kuta probably takes you the hotel you want to stay. So tell the name to the driver. |
|
|
RSS Feed |
Lombok Hotel | Lombok Villa | Lombok Accommodation and News | Gili Hotel and Villa
|
|
