The best scooter rides from Kuta Lombok
Kuta Lombok is the best base on the island for riding. Within twenty minutes you reach three of the most beautiful bays in Indonesia, and within two hours the waterfalls in the foothills of Mount Rinjani.
These six routes all start at our shop on Jl. Raya Kuta. Distances are one way unless stated, times assume a relaxed pace, and for each ride we name the scooter from our fleet that suits it best.
1. Tanjung Aan & Bukit Merese
The classic first ride out of Kuta Lombok. Smooth tarmac all the way to the white pepper-corn sand of Tanjung Aan, then a short climb to Bukit Merese for sunset over the Mandalika bay.
- Leave Kuta on the Mandalika road heading east – it is smooth tarmac the whole way.
- Park at the eastern end of Tanjung Aan, where the sand is coarse and pale like pepper corns.
- Ride the last few hundred metres up Bukit Merese about an hour before sunset.
- A parking attendant collects around IDR 5.000 at the beach.
Our pick for this ride: Honda Vario 110
2. Mawun & Selong Belanak
West along the coastal road through green hills and grazing water buffalo. Mawun is a quiet horseshoe bay, Selong Belanak is the beginner surf beach everybody in Kuta talks about.
- Head west out of Kuta – the road climbs through green hills with a few blind bends.
- Mawun comes first, a quiet horseshoe bay with almost no development.
- Selong Belanak is the beginner surf beach: gentle waves, board rental on the sand.
- Take a 125cc or bigger if you ride two-up, the climbs are noticeable on a 110cc.
Our pick for this ride: Honda Vario 125
3. Gerupuk Bay
The surf shuttle. Ride east from Kuta with a board on the surf rack, park at the harbour and take a boat to the reef breaks of Gerupuk.
- Twenty minutes east of Kuta, past the Mandalika circuit turnoff.
- Boats leave from the harbour to the reef breaks – negotiate the price before you board.
- Ask us for a free surf rack and ride slower with a board mounted.
- The last stretch into the village is narrow, so watch for oncoming trucks.
Our pick for this ride: Honda BeAT Street 110
4. Sade & Rembitan Sasak Villages
A short ride north on the main Kuta road to two traditional Sasak villages with grass-roof houses – the easiest culture stop from Kuta Lombok.
- Ride north from Kuta on the main Praya road – both villages are directly on it.
- Rembitan is the quieter of the two, Sade the more visited.
- A local guide will offer a tour for a donation; agree the amount first.
- Combine it with a fuel stop, there is a Pertamina station on the same road.
Our pick for this ride: Honda Scoopy 110
5. Benang Kelambu & Benang Stokel Waterfalls
A full day trip into the foothills of Mount Rinjani. Twisty mountain roads and cool jungle air – take a 150cc or bigger scooter and leave Kuta early.
- Leave Kuta early – it is a 1.5 hour ride each way into the Rinjani foothills.
- The mountain road is twisty and cooler, so bring a light jacket.
- Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu are two separate falls a short walk apart.
- Take a 155cc or 160cc scooter; a 110cc will struggle on the long climbs.
Our pick for this ride: Yamaha NMAX 155
6. Ekas Bay & the South East Coast
Rough patches, sandy sections and almost no traffic. Empty bays, salt farms and the best reason to rent the Honda CRF 150L instead of a scooter.
- Ride east past Gerupuk and keep going – the tarmac breaks up after Awang.
- Sandy and rutted sections make this the one route where a trail bike really pays off.
- There are almost no shops, so carry water and fill the tank before you leave Kuta.
- Do not attempt it after heavy rain unless you have off-road experience.
Our pick for this ride: Honda CRF 150L
Before you ride out of Kuta
- Fill up in Kuta – stations get sparse once you leave the main roads.
- Carry your licence, International Driving Permit and the scooter papers (STNK).
- Screenshot your route; mobile signal drops in the hills and along the east coast.
- Start early on the long routes so you are back in Kuta before dark.
- Bring water, sunscreen and something with sleeves – the sun on the coastal road is brutal.
- Read our Lombok scooter rental guide for licence rules, insurance and road conditions.
Pick a bike for your route
Tell us where you want to ride and we will match you with the right scooter from our Kuta Lombok fleet – delivered to your accommodation for free.
Riding around Lombok – FAQ
A comfortable day trip from Kuta is anything up to about 60 kilometres each way. That covers the whole south coast from Selong Belanak to Ekas, the Sasak villages and the Benang Kelambu waterfalls. Senggigi and Bangsal harbour for the Gili Islands are around 2 to 2.5 hours each way and are better on a 155cc or 160cc scooter.
For short beach rides around Kuta a 110cc automatic is enough. For hilly routes such as Mawun and Selong Belanak, especially with a passenger, take a Honda Vario 125. For long distances the Yamaha NMAX 155 and Honda PCX 160 are the most comfortable, and for the dirt tracks east of Gerupuk the Honda CRF 150L.
Yes. The ride from Kuta to Bangsal harbour takes around 2.5 hours on the main roads through Praya and Mataram. There is guarded parking at the harbour where you can leave the scooter while you take the boat to Gili Trawangan, Meno or Air.
Mostly yes. The coastal road west of Kuta is sealed and very scenic, with a few broken sections and blind bends through the hills. Take it slowly, watch for water buffalo and oncoming traffic cutting corners, and plan to be back before dark.
No, all six routes are easy to follow with Google Maps and the roads are signposted. We mark the current conditions on your map when you pick up the scooter in Kuta, and our WhatsApp number is there if you get stuck.