Lombok with Kids – Best things to see and do

Located just east of Bali, Lombok doesn’t quite have the same name recognition as it’s neighbor. However, Bali’s popularity comes with a price. Namely, its price. Lombok, on the other hand, has been compared to Bali 20 years ago: Not as much in the way of amenities, but downright budget-friendly in comparison!

That price comparison is what drew my own family to Lombok for our first foray into Indonesia, and I’m glad that it did! With its green jungles, gorgeous beaches, and, of course, the amazing snorkeling just off the Gilis, Lombok is an island that’s not to be missed!

The Three Gilis

Gili is the Sasak word for small island, so it should come as no big surprise that the “Gilis” are a formation of small islands located just off the coast of Lombok. The main Gili Islands are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, which is the one where we stayed.

Interestingly, because larger land masses have more rainwater run-off, the water around them tends to be cloudier, which also means that tiny islands like the Gilis end up with crystal clear waters above pristine coral reefs due, in part, to their smaller size! On top of that, there are laws in place to help preserve the natural beauty of these islands by not allowing motorized vehicles on the island. The combination of these two things means that the water around the Gilis makes for some of the best snorkeling you can find, with trips out to see seas turtles, live corals, or the famous underwater sculpture, the Nest!

My family chose to spend our visit on Gili Air, and we loved the laid back atmosphere, easy access to the water, and beautiful sunset views. But we were also surprised at how completely the island seemed to shut down after dark! That wasn’t a problem for us, since we were ready for bed after spending our days exploring, but it’s still worth noting.

Also, if you plan on snorkeling on your own, instead of just relying in guided trips, be aware that the water above the coral is super shallow at low tide. That means possible damage to the corals and definite cuts and bruises for you and your kids! Cuts from coral have a higher than normal chance of infection, so if you plan to snorkel on your own, do so at high tide to avoid any injuries.

Alternatively, do your snorkeling on guided outings. Not only does it lower the risk of injury from snorkeling in too shallow water, but the guides will also know the best spot around the islands for spotting wildlife. The downside, of course, is that guided trips aren’t free. Which is why my family typically does a mix of guided and self-guided snorkeling.

Here’s some of the top-rated Gili Snorkeling Trips for Families:

Visiting the (sorta) Secret Gilis

Of course, the three larger Gilis aren’t the only islands off Lombok worth exploring. Just the most popular ones! We found the pace on the Gili Air to be just right for our family, but perhaps you want to get a bit further off the beaten trail and check out some lesser-known spots around Lombok. If so, the “Secret” Gilis tours are what you want.

None of these islands are actually secret, but they definitely can feel that way! Depending on which islands you choose to see, it’s quite possible to have a beach nearly to yourself, and snorkeling without the crowds is an absolutely amazing feeling.

Mount Rinjani Hike

If you’re more of a “mountains and hikes” family than a “beaches and reefs” family, Mount Rinjnani is THE site that you’ll want to visit on Lombok! However, the climb to the rim is difficult, and not usually recommended for kids. Still, with a minimum age of 10, kids can do it, so long as they have the stamina and strength!

Mount Rinjani is a large, active volcano located in the northern part of Lombok. The trail to the Rinjani’s rim passes through dense jungle, open grasslands, and rocky trails, all leading up to a jaw-dropping view of the crater lake at the top!

Typical hiking trips on Rinjani take a day to get to the top, where there is space to make camp. The next morning, guides take hikers who are interested to Rinajani’s summit, before the whole group returns to the base.

Some groups take it slower, spreading the hike over 3 or 4 days instead, and there are a few different trails you can choose from. But whichever trail you choose, it’s worth noting: this is a tough hike! In fact, it is considered one of the more difficult hikes in South East Asia. That said, the views can be spectacular!

Which Rinjani Hike should I take my kids on?

As Mt. Rinjani is the top hiking destination in Lombok, there are absolute tons of different tour options for you to choose from, which can be pretty overwhelming. You know your kids and their capabilities best, but unless you are experienced hikers I would definitely recommend taking either the Senaru Route to the Rim or forgoing the rim entirely and choosing to hike and camp in Rinajani’s foothills. After doing some research, these are the tour groups I would choose for my own family.

Hidden Jungle Waterfalls

Lombok’s waterfalls are nearly as famous as the volcano where they’re located! Mt. Rinjani has a ton of different waterfalls along its slopes, but the most popular ones are Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, as they are both decently large and relatively easy to get to.

Lombok’s waterfall tours tend to visit these two waterfalls and then explore the surrounding villages and jungle terrain. The combination makes for a nice, but full, day of exploration. However, I personally would choose to do either one of the Rinjani hikes or a waterfall tour, but not both, unless I was spending a longer period of time in Lombok.

Here’s the one I recommend.

Beautiful Beaches for Days

While snorkeling through reefs and hiking through tropical jungles are both some of my all-time favorite activities, there are definitely times when you just need to take a day or two to lay back on the sand and relax. Luckily, as a tropical island, Lombok has more than enough beaches to go around!

Most of the beaches that you’ll want to visit are either located around Kuta in the south or near Senggigi in the West, but they definitely aren’t the only beaches around, and you’ll be able to find one that works for your family pretty easily.

You can check out some of the beaches I would recommend using the map below!

For the adventurous families that want to get off the beaten path and see some places that most others won’t get to see, you can also choose to take a Lombok Beach Tour! As with the other tours in the area, most of the beach tours you can find will be paired with other activities, like snorkeling or visiting local villages, so these can be a great way to pack a ton of adventure into a shorter amount of time.

Warm Water Surfing for Beginners and Experts

While I wouldn’t say that my kids are avid surfers, we have given them several opportunities to try surfing during our travels around the world. Generally, that’s been in warmer climes, but once we tried it in the colder waters off of Cape Town. The waves were long and smooth, but the cold water had my kids saying “never again” within 20 minutes. Which is why we LOVE finding places like Lombok with amazing surf and warm waters.

We kept things pretty low-key during our month on the island, and, unfortunately, never ended up booking a surf lesson while we were there, but I was able to chat up several different surfers who had traveled to Lombok specifically for the surf, and they guaranteed me that it’s among some of the top spots in the world for learning.

If surfing is on your list, I highly recommend staying in Kuta, in the south, during your stay on Lombok, since many of the best surf spots are located there.

Cultural Centers and Villages

The trips I’ve listed so far have all been focused on Lombok’s incredible natural beauty, but the island also has ton of cultural value as well! Different village tours around the island will have you learning traditional agriculture techniques, dressing up in traditional attire, and marveling at village dances and even some traditional fighting techniques!

Most of the tours tend to focus on traditional village life more than the island’s modern culture, but if that’s more your speed, I’d highly recommend taking some cooking lessons, since I really feel like few other activities help you learn about a culture as well as learning to cook their favorite dishes!

Where to Stay in Lombok

With so many things to do and places to see, it can be a challenge to find the best places to stay on Lombok. But most visitors to the island choose one of these 5 main regions on the island to base their adventures from: The Gili Islands, Kuta, Senggigi, Tetebatu, or Mataram.

Keep reading for a little about the overall vibe of each area, along with family-friendly stays that I would recommend.

Gili Islands (Gili Air) – A Calm Island Getaway with Snorkeling

As I mentioned above, the Gilis are incredible spots for booking an island getaway. There are no cars on the islands, but there are plenty of restaurants, tourism businesses, and nice hotels where you can stay.

As with any tropical paradise, there are times when you’ll bump up against “party vibes” which I personally don’t appreciate when traveling with family, but the general feel of the Gilis for us was typically chill and quiet, perfect for soaking up some sun and exploring the surrounding reefs!

Kuta – Surfing, Beaches, and a Tropical Vibe

When we eventually return to Lombok, Kuta is probably where we’ll choose to base our stay.

Kuta is a bit farther out from the airport than some of the other stays, but that distance comes with the distinct advantage of feeling like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Mataram. It’s also where most of the best beaches and surfing are, so there’s more of the surf culture feel in the area.

Senggigi – Beaches and Shopping with Resort Vibes

If I’m being honest, as a family traveling on a budget, I probably wouldn’t choose to stay in the Senggigi area. Many of the island’s resorts and better restaurants are in this area, and it really feels like an area that is optimized for vacationers to have a good experience on a short stay. The beaches are nice, and there’s access to both western and local food, but it felt like an area focused on tourism.

Of course, if your time on the island is short and you have the money for it, Senggigi can give you a great experience! It’s close to the airport and the docks for the ferry, and there are fun and relaxing activities throughout the area. It’s just not my personal cup of tea.

Mataram – City Center for Living Life like a Local

Mataram is the capital city of the island and the most pure expression of what city life on Lombok really looks like. Markets, malls, mosques, and more are all present in the city center, but it’s not necessarily the “best” place to stay, depending on your needs.

My family chose to spend most of our time on Lombok in a rental house in Mataram, which we loved, but it meant we ended up needing to travel farther to get to the activities that we booked. Basically, if you need a lower cost stay on the island, and don’t mind living in a locals’ area, Mataram can work. But if you want more conveniences or easier access to the beach, you’ll probably be better served looking elsewhere.

Village stays with Hiking and Great Views

If you’re the kind that prefers mountain views and village life over beaches or cities, then you may want to consider heading out to one of the villages on the slopes of Rinjani!

Most of the village stays are found in either Sikur (on the southern side of Rinjani) or in Sembalun (on the north-east side). These stays are much further out than the others I’ve mentioned, and they’ll typically have far fewer amenities. But if your goal is to get away from it all, well, there’s not much more away that you can get.

Things to be Aware of

Need data for your phone?
Check out my article on Staying Connected Abroad