Selong Belanak glamping puts you on what is, by any honest measure, one of the best beaches in Indonesia. A sweeping crescent bay, forested volcanic hills, turquoise water gentle enough for swimming and just lively enough for surfing. The kind of beach that makes you understand why people keep choosing Lombok over Bali.
The safari tent sits on a raised wooden deck at the edge of that bay. Open the flap in the morning and the ocean is right there — not framed by a pool deck and a resort wall, but immediate, real, and yours.
Is it more comfortable than a beach hotel? The bed is a real queen with premium linens. The bathroom is private and ensuite with a hot shower. Breakfast arrives at your deck. The only thing missing is a lobby — and nobody’s ever wished they had more lobby.
By the end of this guide you’ll know exactly what Selong Belanak glamping looks like, whether it’s the right fit for you, how to get there, and how to book. Explore Selong Belanak glamping →
Selong Belanak — Lombok’s most beautiful crescent beach
There are a handful of beaches in Lombok that genuinely stop people. Selong Belanak is one of them.
The bay runs for nearly two kilometres in a near-perfect crescent. White sand, green hills on both ends, water that shifts from pale turquoise at the shore to deep blue further out. On a clear day the surface is calm enough to see the bottom from your board. In the early morning, before the wind picks up, it’s completely still — the kind of still that makes you want to swim out further than you planned.
What makes it different from the more visited beaches around Kuta Lombok is the scale and the quiet. The development here is minimal — no beach clubs, no vendor tables every ten metres, no towers blocking the view. The forested hills come all the way down to the shoreline on both sides of the bay. From the tent deck at sunset, the entire bay is uninterrupted. The hills go orange and the water goes gold. It’s one of the better sunsets in South Lombok, and there are strong contenders.
The waves suit most abilities. The main break is a long, gentle right-hander that works best on a small to moderate swell — ideal for beginners and satisfying for intermediates. On flat days the bay is perfect for swimming. On bigger days the outer reef picks up more size for those who want it. The consistent, forgiving nature of the break is why surf instructors from across the south coast use Selong Belanak as their preferred teaching spot.
Lombok’s south coast is developing, but it’s developing slowly compared with Bali or even the north of the island. If Selong Belanak is new to you, think of it as the south coast’s answer to what Lombok’s beaches were like before anyone started building hotels over them. That window stays open — but it won’t stay open indefinitely. Part of what makes Selong Belanak glamping the natural choice for beach-first travellers is where the tents sit: at the bay’s edge, not set back from it.
Selong Belanak glamping — the setup
The safari tent sits directly above the beach on a raised wooden deck. That’s not a marketing detail — the deck is where you’ll spend most of your time when you’re not in the water.
Inside, the tent is built around a queen bed with proper mattress and premium linens. Not a camp cot. Not a thin single with a sleeping bag. A real bed, made up properly each morning. The ensuite bathroom is private — hot shower, towels, all of it. You’re not walking to a shared block in the dark.
The wooden deck faces the ocean. There’s space for two chairs and a table, which is where breakfast arrives every morning — coffee, fruit, eggs, local bread — delivered to you before the day starts properly. Eat with the sound of the waves and the bay ahead. It’s a hard thing to give up when check-out comes.
WiFi is included and works. It’s Lombok, not Singapore, but it’s reliable enough for working mornings if needed and more than enough for everything else.
The number of tents at Selong Belanak glamping is deliberately limited. This isn’t a resort with 80 rooms and a full-service spa. It’s an intimate setup where the bay is the centrepiece, not the background.
For a full rundown of what’s included and available at this location, see the Selong Belanak glamping page.
Surfing at Selong Belanak — everything you need to know
Selong Belanak is consistently rated one of the best beginner surf breaks in Lombok, and for good reason. One of the practical advantages of Selong Belanak glamping for surfers is proximity — it’s thirty seconds from your tent door to the sand.
The main wave is a long right-hander that peels across the bay in a slow, predictable arc. It’s the kind of wave that gives you time to get to your feet, find your balance, and actually ride — not the sudden hollow tubes you find further along the south coast at Desert Point or Grupuk. For someone on a surfboard for the first time, or the first time in a while, this is the place to start.
The conditions hold up best from April through to October, which is Lombok’s dry season. Morning sessions are generally cleaner — the onshore breeze tends to build through the afternoon and chop up the surface. If you’re planning your first lesson, book an early slot.
Surf lessons are available to book through our adventures and activities — or find a surf school that suits you and your instructor will meet you at the beach. Boards and rash vests are provided. The lesson format is practical: beach theory first, then in the water for the bulk of the time. Most beginners are riding waves within the first session.
Intermediates will find enough variety to keep them busy. The outer sections of the break get more size when the swell is running, and there are a couple of reef spots within reach for those who want to push further.
Not a surfer? The bay is excellent for swimming through most of the dry season. The inner bay is calm, the water is clear, and there’s no significant rip in standard conditions. Snorkelling is worth doing at the rocky headlands on either side of the bay — sea life is present, and the visibility is good on calm days.
Things to do from Selong Belanak
Selong Belanak glamping is a beach base. The activities here are coast-led — surfing, swimming, exploring the south Lombok shoreline. If you want waterfalls and rice terraces, TeteBatu glamping is the pick. But if the beach is the plan, you’ll run out of days before you run out of things to do.
On the beach
The bay itself is the main event. Morning walks on empty sand before the day heats up, swimming in the mid-morning, surfing through the better tidal windows, watching the sun set from the tent deck in the evening. That’s a full day, and a good one.
Nearby beaches
South Lombok has a concentration of excellent beaches within 30 minutes of Selong Belanak:
- Mawun (~20 min west): A smaller, more sheltered crescent with turquoise water and far fewer visitors. One of Lombok’s most consistently beautiful beaches.
- Tanjung Aan (~30 min east): The iconic double bay — white sand that shifts between fine and coarse, clear shallow water, and the famous Merese Hill viewpoint above.
- Are Guling (~15 min): Quieter stretch of sand with a reef break, popular with local surfers.
A half-day loop taking in two or three of these is one of the best possible uses of a south Lombok afternoon.
Kuta Lombok
The nearest town with restaurants, cafes, and a small market is Kuta Lombok, around 20 minutes by scooter or car. It has enough good food to cover your lunches and dinners — grilled fish at the warungs on the beachfront, better coffee than you’d expect, and a relaxed atmosphere that fits the south coast pace.
Mandalika and Sade Village
The Mandalika resort area is about 25 minutes east and worth knowing about for its road circuit viewpoints and the Sade traditional Sasak village, where the weaving cooperatives and round-roofed houses give real context to Lombok’s indigenous culture.
Day trips further afield
The south coast islands — accessible by local fishing boat from Gerupuk or Tanjung Luar — are worth a full day if snorkelling and boat-hopping is the goal. Gerupuk is about 25 minutes east and has a cluster of surf breaks as well as boat operators running island trips. Ask at the tent and we can point you toward the right jetty and local operator.
For something further afield, Gili Gede and the southwest Gilis are accessible on a longer day trip — more remote, less visited than the famous north Gilis, and worth it if you have a free day and want open water snorkelling away from crowds.
One practical note on food: most of the good eating around Selong Belanak is in Kuta Lombok, 20 minutes away. There are a few warungs closer to the beach serving grilled fish and nasi campur — honest, cheap, and very good — but for variety, Kuta has the range. Breakfast at the tent covers your morning. Everything else is an adventure.
Getting to Selong Belanak
Of the three Lombok Glamping locations, Selong Belanak glamping is the easiest to reach from the airport.
From Lombok International Airport (LOP): Head south via Praya — the road is sealed and well-signed. Journey time is around 45 minutes in normal traffic. The last section into the bay is a gentle descent through the hills.
From Mataram: Allow around 1 hour heading south via the Praya junction. The route is straightforward: south on the main road through Praya, then follow signs for Selong Belanak and the south coast.
Getting around once there: Selong Belanak village has a handful of scooter rental options (around IDR 80,000–100,000 per day). A scooter is the ideal way to explore the nearby beaches — the roads between Mawun, Selong Belanak, and Tanjung Aan are well-surfaced and scenically excellent. If you prefer a car, private drivers can be arranged.
Transfers: Airport transfers to Selong Belanak glamping can be arranged through the booking process — add a note when you book and we’ll confirm the details.
What’s included at Selong Belanak glamping
Every stay at Selong Belanak glamping includes:
- Queen bed with premium mattress and linens
- Private shower tents with soaps and towels
- Airport Transfer just tell us the time in your booiking
- Complimentary breakfast delivered to your deck each morning
- Fast WiFi throughout the tent and deck area
- Direct beach access from the tent
What’s not included (to be upfront about it): flights, lunch and dinner (Kuta Lombok is 20 minutes with good options, or we can provide upon request, and surf lessons (bookable through adventures and activities at an additional cost).
Is Selong Belanak glamping right for you?
This is the most direct location guide we can give:
Choose Selong Belanak if:
– The beach is the point — you want ocean in your line of sight from morning to night
– You surf, or want to learn (the beginner break here is genuinely one of the best in Lombok)
– You want the easiest drive from the airport
– Sunsets over the ocean matter more to you than Rinjani views
Choose TeteBatu instead if:
– Rice terraces and mountain views are what you’re picturing
– You want to do waterfall day trips and cultural village walks
– You’re planning to trek Rinjani and want a memorable base
Choose Gili Kondo instead if:
– Total privacy is non-negotiable
– It’s a honeymoon, anniversary, or special occasion — Gili Kondo’s maximum four tents on a private island is hard to beat for romance
Can’t choose? You don’t have to. A 6-night itinerary across all three locations — two nights at each — is how most guests end up experiencing what Lombok actually is. Book a multi-location stay →
For a side-by-side comparison of all three locations, see the complete glamping in Lombok guide.
Want something more exclusive?
Selong Belanak glamping can be arranged as part of a fully private and custom itinerary — combining all three locations, adding private dining, surf coaching packages, or a bespoke honeymoon setup.
If you’re planning a special occasion, a group stay, or simply want something designed around exactly what you want, take a look at our private luxury glamping experiences.
How to book Selong Belanak glamping
Book directly at lombokglamping.com/booking. Direct booking gives you the best available rate and puts you in direct contact with the team for any questions before arrival.
Selong Belanak is the most popular of our three locations during peak season (July–August and the Christmas–New Year period). If those dates are on your radar, booking ahead is worth doing. Availability is limited by design — we’re not a resort and have no plans to become one.
For detailed pricing, current availability, and to start the booking process: check availability →
Frequently asked questions
Is Selong Belanak beach good for swimming?
Yes. Selong Belanak glamping guests have direct access to a bay that is calm and sheltered enough for comfortable swimming through most of the dry season (April–October). The inner bay has no significant rip in standard conditions. On bigger swell days, the surf picks up, so check conditions before swimming outside the main bay. The water is clear, warm, and genuinely beautiful.
Can beginners surf at Selong Belanak?
Selong Belanak is one of the best beginner breaks in Lombok. The main wave is a long, slow-peeling right-hander that gives first-timers time to find their feet. Surf lessons are available through Lombok Glamping adventures — boards and instruction included. Most guests with no prior surfing experience manage to ride waves in their first session.
What’s the best time of year for Selong Belanak glamping?
April through October is ideal for Selong Belanak glamping. Lombok’s dry season delivers consistent sunshine, calm seas, and the best surf conditions. The waves are most reliable from May to August. November to March brings the wet season — rain is manageable and the beaches remain beautiful, but the surf can get choppy and some days are lost to heavy afternoon downpours.
How far is Selong Belanak from Lombok Airport?
Around 45 minutes by car, heading south via Praya. Selong Belanak glamping is the closest of our three locations to the airport — a straight, sealed road with no ferry or boat crossing involved. Airport transfers can be arranged through the booking process, making it the most straightforward arrival of the three.
Is Selong Belanak glamping suitable for a honeymoon?
It’s a genuinely romantic setting — a private deck, ocean view, breakfast delivered every morning, sunsets over the crescent bay. For pure romance and privacy on a honeymoon or anniversary, Gili Kondo glamping edges it — four tents maximum on a private island is hard to top. But Selong Belanak is a beautiful choice for couples who want the beach version of that experience, with surf, sunsets, and nearby restaurants for evening meals. For something fully bespoke, see private luxury glamping.
The short version
Selong Belanak glamping is the right answer if the beach is the reason you’re going to Lombok. A sweeping crescent bay, a surf break that welcomes beginners and rewards everyone else, the easiest drive from the airport of any of our three locations, and a tent deck pointed directly at one of the best sunsets in South Lombok.
Lombok is opening up fast — the areas that still feel like this don’t stay that way indefinitely. Check availability and book your stay →
Not sure which location is right for you? Read the complete glamping in Lombok guide for a full comparison of TeteBatu, Gili Kondo, and Selong Belanak.
