When is the best time
to visit Lombok?
Post contents
Introduction
Lombok is a paradise for beginner surfers, with warm water, stunning beaches, and year-round waves. But when is the best time to visit Lombok?
The island has two main seasons: the dry season (April–October) and the wet season (November–March). Different surf spots in Lombok work best depending on what season you visit. The wet season usually brings less swell which translates to smaller conditions, which is suitable for beginners. However, you’ll definitely find beginner-friendly waves year-round, so don’t let that be the only determining factor.
I personally recommend visiting in April, May, September, or October. During these months, you’ll get great surf with fewer crowds, clearer water for snorkeling due to less rain, and dry conditions perfect for hiking for example the famous mountain Mount Rinjani. Plus, with less rain, you avoid the ocean trash that sometimes washes up during the wet season.
That said, that’s just my personal opinion, and both seasons have their pros and cons. Let’s break it down so you can choose for yourself when is the best time to visit Lombok according to your own preferences!
Nalua Surf Shop is my favourite store in Kuta Lombok, with the cutest swimwear, clothes, and accessories. I bought two beautiful paintings and a few post cards here.
Seasons in Lombok
Lombok experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. Let’s dive into what you can expect during each season to help you determine when is the best time to visit Lombok based on your own personal preferences.
When: April to October
Temperature: Warm to hot, averaging 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F).
Precipitation: Very little to no rainfall, and lower humidity.
Crowd: High; peak tourist season, especially between July to August which is when you can also expect higher prices. The shoulder season during dry season is April, May, September and October so during these months you can expect lower crowds.
Activities: Dry season is the perfect season for outdoor activities, and Lombok offers no shortage of them. Common activities include surfing, hiking Mount Rinjani, and snorkeling. A good idea is to head over to the Gili Islands for snorkeling and diving. You can also visit waterfalls, different beaches, or just drive around to explore the island on your own.
Surf conditions for beginners: Excellent; while the waves are bigger during dry season and the lineups are more crowded compared to wet season, Lombok’s still a great surf destination for beginner surfers year-round.
When: November to March
Temperature: Warm to hot, averaging 27°C to 28°C (81°F to 82°F).
Precipitation: This is the season where Lombok has most of its annual rainfall and the weather becomes more humid. It usually does not rain all day, there are instead one or a couple of heavy but short showers per day. Unfortunately, the rain sometimes washes up trash from the ocean so the beaches are not as clean during wet season as during dry season. However, I don’t think the trash situation is as bad here as it is in Bali.
Crowd: Low to moderate; fewer tourists as peak season winds down, meaning you can also enjoy off-season prices. December and January are the months that can get busy during wet season, so during this time prices also rise.
Activities: While dry season is better suited for outdoor activities, you can still do some of them during wet season as well. You just have to be prepared for sudden rainfalls. Snorkeling might not be as nice as the water becomes less clear from the rain, and the famous Rinjani National Park is not open during some of the months with heavy rainfall as it gets to slippery.
During the rainfalls you can pamper yourself at a spa, go to a yoga class or the gym, or do some shopping along the main street of Kuta.
Surf conditions for beginners: Excellent; although the surf conditions become less predictable during wet season, the waves are smaller and less intimidating and there’s fewer crowds.
Enjoying the sun and beautiful weather in Indonesia during a September morning
Weather in Lombok
Based on weather reports collected during 2012–2021. Source: timeanddate
1. Average temperature
- Hottest month: November
- Coldest month: July
- Windiest month: August
|
Month
|
Min
|
Max
|
|---|---|---|
|
January
|
75
|
88
|
|
February
|
73
|
88
|
|
March
|
73
|
90
|
|
April
|
73
|
90
|
|
May
|
72
|
90
|
|
June
|
72
|
88
|
|
July
|
70
|
86
|
|
August
|
68
|
86
|
|
September
|
72
|
88
|
|
October
|
73
|
91
|
|
November
|
75
|
91
|
|
December
|
75
|
90
|
|
Month
|
Min
|
Max
|
|---|---|---|
|
January
|
24
|
31
|
|
February
|
23
|
31
|
|
March
|
23
|
32
|
|
April
|
23
|
32
|
|
May
|
22
|
32
|
|
June
|
22
|
31
|
|
July
|
21
|
30
|
|
August
|
20
|
30
|
|
September
|
22
|
31
|
|
October
|
23
|
33
|
|
November
|
24
|
33
|
|
December
|
24
|
32
|
2. Average precipitation
- Wettest month: January
- Driest month: August
|
Month
|
Millimeters
|
|---|---|
|
January
|
216.3
|
|
February
|
189.8
|
|
March
|
164.6
|
|
April
|
80.5
|
|
May
|
41.7
|
|
June
|
48.9
|
|
July
|
8.6
|
|
August
|
5
|
|
September
|
24.9
|
|
October
|
32.8
|
|
November
|
164.1
|
|
December
|
161.7
|
The best time to surf in Lombok for beginners
Any time of year is good for beginner surfers
Lombok is a good beginner surf destination year-round. Determining the best time to surf in Lombok for beginners depends a bit on where in Lombok you will be surfing, your level, and your personal preferences. But overall, Lombok works well for beginners throughout the entire year.
Sure, certain spots work better during certain months, but the month(s) you choose to visit Lombok for surfing as a beginner won’t make or break your surf trip. During wet season, the waves are generally a bit smaller and less intimidating, but you’ll definitely find many spots with manageable and beginner-friendly waves during dry season too.
What you might want to consider when choosing when to visit Lombok as a beginner surfer
1. Whether certain outdoor activities are important to you and if rain bothers you
While wet season tends to bring smaller and less intimidating waves and lesser crowds, the short but heavy rainfalls can make certain outdoor activities less fun or not possible to do at all. For example, the rain reduces the water clarity for snorkeling, and hiking the famous Mount Rinjani isn’t an option during some of the wet season months since the Rinjani National Park closes due to slippery conditions.
You need to be prepared for sudden rainfalls during the day. It usually does not rain all day (it can though)- there are instead one or a couple of heavy but short showers per day. What’s a bit difficult is that you cannot predict when the rain will start pouring, so if you’re doing an outdoor activity it might all of a sudden start raining. Also, the rain tends to wash up trash from the ocean, which means beaches and surf lineups might become a bit trashy. However, I don’t think the trash situation in Lombok is as bad as the trash situation in Bali.
If you want clearer waters for snorkeling, dry trails for trekking, and cleaner surf lineups, visiting during the dry season is a better choice.
2. Whether you enjoy a lively, bustling atmosphere or prefer a more quiet vibe
Peak season in Lombok is July to August, and also the Christmas and New Year period. During these times, both the island and its surf spots become significantly more crowded. With more surfers in the water, it’s harder to find space to catch waves, meaning fewer opportunities to practice. The increased number of people also raises the risk of collisions and injuries.
On the other hand, visiting during peak season can be a good opportunity to meet more fellow beginner surfers and enjoy the lively surf community vibe.
The shoulder seasons in Lombok are April to May, and September to October. These months tend to be less crowded while also offering a good chance of good weather, as the rainy season has just ended or is yet to begin, and they fall outside peak holiday periods.
Selong Belanak Beach, the best beach in Lombok to surf at if you’ve never surfed before
Conclusion of when is the best time to visit Lombok
The simple answer to this question is that it depends! Why? Because when is the best time to visit Lombok depends on what is most important according to your own personal preferences.
Do you prefer traveling to places when they are less crowded or more bustling? Do you want to avoid rainfalls at all costs or do you not mind a short shower or two per day? Will higher peak-season prices break the bank for you or does a bit of splurging fit your budget? Answering these questions will help you determine the ideal time for your visit.
Personally, I prefer to avoid the rain at all costs as I live in a cold and rainy country, so I already get to enjoy plenty of rain here at home! I also prefer to avoid heavy crowds, as I like less crowded surf lineups (who doesn’t!). With these two criteria in mind, which are the most important to me personally, the best months for me to visit Lombok is the shoulder seasons. The shoulder seasons in Lombok are April to May, and September to October. These months tend to be less crowded while also offering a good chance of good weather, as the rainy season has just ended or is yet to begin, and they fall outside peak holiday periods.
To help you out choosing the best month to visit Lombok according to your own preferences, here’s a short summary of the pros and cons of each season:
Dry season (April to October)
The dry season in Lombok is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, minimal rainfall, and low humidity, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. With great surfing conditions for beginners, you’ll find plenty of manageable waves- although the lineups can get crowded, especially from July to August.
This season also offers a vibrant atmosphere, with numerous surf schools, events, and opportunities to connect with other surfers. However, expect higher prices for accommodation and activities as the peak tourist season hits during July and August.
- Pros: Minimal rainfall and low humidity which is optimal for outdoor activities, vibrant atmosphere with events and social opportunities. It's a perfect time to hike Mount Rinjani and head over to the Gili Islands for snorkeling and scuba diving. Surfing is also great for all levels of surfers, even if conditions tend to be slightly bigger than during the wet season.
- Cons: Crowded beaches and surf spots (especially in peak season), higher prices for accommodation and activities, and a bit bigger waves than during wet season which makes it slightly harder for beginner surfers, but definitely not a deal breaker as surfing is still great for beginners.
Wet season (November to March)
- Pros: Smaller and less intimidating waves for beginners, fewer crowds at beaches and surf spots, and more affordable accommodation options
- Cons: Short but heavy rainfalls that can disrupt outdoor activities, cause more trash to be washed up on beaches and in the water, and there are fewer crowds which you might not enjoy if you like a more bustling and vibrant vibe
Quiz: test your knowledge
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! Whether you have suggestions for improvement, want to share what you liked, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback helps me create better content for all aspiring surfers!