Making the most of Lombok
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
This used to be a tender port. Since 2019 a new cruise terminal is in place, so tendering is not longer needed. It will be able to handle a 4,000-capacity cruise liner or two smaller ships simultaneously.
Scenic sights and wonderful landscapes are abundant next to the docking area of the Lombok Port. The town is called Lembar.
The wonderful, natural settings around Lombok create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. A day at the pristine looking, but dirty beaches surrounding the island offers visitors ample opportunities to participate in water sport activities such as water-skiing, swimming and boating.
Getting around
As soon as you are outside the gates you will be mobbed by street sellers. For about $75 you can hire a van/car with driver for the day. Inside the gates it will be much more expensive. Tell the driver you want to go to Senggigi beach with a stop off on the way for a coconut drink. Then ask to go to the shopping center in Lombok and he will wait for you the whole time. Kuta in Lombok is also nice if you have time. Dont pay the driver under any circumstances until he drops you back at the port.
Just south of the port you can rent a motorized boat for a trip along Gili Nanggu Beach, which provides a picture of the life-style on the island, with the pleasant bungalows built on pillars.
You may also be able to visit the resort island of Gili Nanggu just 20 minutes by outrigger offshore, which offers idyllic conditions for snorkelling (with pretty coral formations and many colorful fish), swimming, or just relaxing on the island's white sandy and somewhat cleaner beach.
Nearby places
The Gili Islands composed of the Gili Air Island, the Gili Meno Island and the Gili Trawangan Island offer the best beaches in the region. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best activities to do in these islands.
The Gunung Rinjani is a spectacular natural area to visit. It offers the chance to enjoy hiking, in a volcanic mountain range with majestic views of the island and the village of Sapit. Hot springs and the vast semi-lunar crater borne from an eruption centuries ago are sights to see.
Food and shopping
At the local markets you can buy Lombok souvenirs of carvings and even observe the artisans at work.
Money
ATMs are common in any major cities in Indonesia.
Be careful when using credit cards, as cloning and fraud are a major problem in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express can be problematic. At smaller operations, surcharges of 2-5% over cash are common.
Staying connected
The sole official language is Indonesian, known as Bahasa Indonesia.
Internet: Prices vary considerably, and as usual you tend to get what you pay for, but you'll usually be looking at around Rp 5,000 per hour. In large cities, there are free hotspots in certain shopping malls, McDonald restaurants and Starbucks cafes. Some hotels provide free hotspots in the lobby.
mobile phones emergency number: 112