If you’re looking for a laid back yet adventure packed destination that hits the sweet spot between surf, food, hiking and beach exploration with older kids Kuta Lombok might be your next favourite escape. I traveled here alone with my two sons (9 and 11) while husband had to head back to Singapore for work sadly. Click here for my map showing key recommendations

This small surf town on the southern coast of Lombok has a completely different vibe from its Bali neighbour (which is now firmly on our “not going back” list). Life here moves at a slower pace, though that’s starting to change with the rise in development, but the charm is still very much intact. What really surprised me was just how much of a foodie and active family haven this place is making it an easy spot to have a somewhat healthy holiday.

Getting to and around Kuta, Lombok

Getting to Kuta Lombok is pretty straightforward from Singapore. We flew direct on Scoot (now flies 3 times a week) into Lombok International Airport, which is just a 30 minute drive from the town. You can arrange a private car through your accommodation or grab one at the airport very easy.

Getting around Kuta Lombok isn’t quite as straightforward, especially with kids in tow. While Kuta itself is a great base, most of the real gems (beaches, surf spots, scenic viewpoints) lie outside of town, and exploring them requires wheels. The main mode of transport here is the scooter which is very easy to rent when you arrive. I am not a huge scooter fan and especially not while single parenting the kids. There’s no Grab, Gojek, or Uber in Kuta Lombok. While you can find these services in other parts of the island, Kuta is doing its best to protect local drivers and keep things community-based. Our hosts at Loop Villas were great at helping us coordinate lifts when needed and it seems that most accommodation is able to do this, there are many drivers around town willing to be on call for you. For those with confident older kids or teens, hopping on the back of a scooter with a parent adds a bit of independence and a lot of fun.

Where we stayed

It’s honestly still hard to say where’s best to stay along this coastline—it really depends on what kind of experience you’re after. Kuta is definitely a great base for families and it is where you’ll find the liveliest food scene, a wide range of accommodation options, and easy access to surf schools and activities.

There are more luxurious, beachfront resorts scattered further out along the coast, but these can feel quite remote especially if you don’t have your own transport.

We stayed at Loop Villas, tucked just off the main road in a quiet side street. It was so stylish and comfortable, a super relaxed communal outdoor/ indoor living feel, and walking distance to restaurants, cafes, and the beach. The boys had space to hang out independently, while I still felt close enough to keep tabs. The outdoor bathrooms were incredible and the pool was a post surf life saver. Also the property manager Leo could not do enough to help us – this was invaluable for me travelling alone with my boys.

What to Do (for active kids and curious parents)

Our week here was a well oiled routine. Wake up, eat, surf, eat, explore, eat, sleep, repeat.

Click here to see my full recommendation map

SURF: 360 Surf Academy
Whether you are a seasoned surfer or a total beginner, 360 Surf Academy can cater for you. Our boys couldn’t wait to get back in the water each day. The instructors were amazing – fun, kind, patient, and full of energy. Safety always came first, and they struck the perfect balance between encouragement and challenge. Our youngest had 1:1 instruction, and the adults had a 1:2 ratio, which made a big difference. Special shout-out to Wadi, who was our main instructor for the week—an absolute legend and an incredible surfer. The kids adored him. We spent all our surf sessions at Selong Belanak Beach, which is a perfect spot for beginners. Soft waves, soft sand (good if you fall a lot like me) and a beautiful setting. We (especially the kids) made great progress each day (See my Instagram post for what learning to surf aged 44 with my sons taught me)! I cannot recommend this company enough. We were picked up and dropped off at our villa each day which made logistics easy.

BEACH HOP
This stretch of coast is stunning and there are so many beaches – Kuta is probably the least attractive/ a little polluted. If you have a scooter you can easily find yourself at hidden empty coves. A driver can also arrange a beach hopping trip for you or you can just arrange drop off at one of the wonderful beaches such as Tanjung Aan (15 mins away) or Selong Balanak (30 mins away), there’s a beach for every mood—gentle waves, jaw-dropping views, or stronger surf for more confident riders. Kuta is a great base to explore them all.

SUNSET VIEWS
Going to Bukit Merese for sunset was our favourite pre dinner thing to do. Sitting just above Tanjung Aan Beach, it offers sweeping views in every direction. On one side, you’ll see the palm fringed stretches of Serenting and Seger Beach; on the other, the turquoise arc of the ever popular Tanjung Aan. My advice would be to not stop at the first viewpoint next to the car park which most people tend to do. Once you reach the top, turn left and keep walking. Follow the ridge along the headland, dipping into bays if you wish and climbing the next hill. The further you go, the quieter it gets and from every angle, you’ll catch a different jaw dropping view. It’s the kind of walk that turns into an adventure, and we loved doing it as a family, finding our own quiet spot to watch the sun go down. Even my boys, one of which doesn’t usually love a walk unless there’s food at the end, were totally into this one. We had an amazing time climbing, exploring, meeting friendly goats and scrambling over rocks and watching surfers from above.

Foodie Highlights (aka where we kept going back)

What surprised me the most about this little town, was that Kuta Lombok has some serious food game. We were genuinely spoilt for choice, and yes we returned to some of these spots more than once. Our villa had amazing kitchen options but the food out was just too good to miss. Here were some of mine and the kids favourites.

Delihaus (KIDS TOP PICK)
Our go to spot for amazing lunches every day. The food was fresh and full of flavour, but what made this place truly memorable was the people. By the end of the week, my boys were behind the counter making their own smoothies like they were part of the crew. An absolute gem.

Mama Pizza
A Lombok favourite for a reason. You’ll find this place both here in Kuta and over on Gili Air. The sourdough pizzas are next level and it is always just the right level of busy.

Tribe Skatepark and Resto (UNIQUE EATERY)
Even if you’re not skating, come to watch. Watching the local talent tear it up at the skatepark while eating the best pad thai I have had outside of Thailand was a highlight. Quirky design, relaxed seating, and a great spot to people watch.

Cantina Mexican
Margaritas, music, and magic. This place has it all – delicious food, incredible decor, and the kind of ambience that makes you want to stay all night. The tunes were always on point, and the service was top notch.

Jelajah Coffee (BEST COFFEE END OF!)

Kuta Lombok exceeded our expectations. It’s the kind of place where older kids can grow in confidence whether that’s riding a wave, ordering their own lunch, or scrambling up a hill for the best sunset view. There’s a sense of freedom here that’s hard to find in more touristy spots, and the local warmth and slower pace make it feel really special. When we arrived home from this trip though, I was surprised to hear that another family who had just been at the same time didn’t like it at all. So it got me thinking. And if you want to hear my thoughts on why Kuta might not be everyone’s cup of tea and some workarounds for it please check out this instagram post.