Tanjung Ringgit is the easternmost cape of southeast Lombok — a wild cliff-top wild-camping site overlooking the Alas Strait toward Sumbawa, with WW2 Japanese bunker ruins, dramatic Indian Ocean views, and complete isolation. Access requires 4WD or experienced scooter for the rough 90-minute drive from Ekas. No facilities, no fee, no shops — bring all water (5L+ per person/day), food, and pack out everything. For experienced wild campers only.
# Camping Tanjung Ringgit: Lombok's Far Southeast Cliff Cape
Tanjung Ringgit is the easternmost point of southeast Lombok — a karst cliff cape jutting into the Alas Strait, with 50m drops to the Indian Ocean below, scattered WW2 Japanese bunker ruins, and clear-day views to Sumbawa Island and Mount Tambora 100km east. For wild campers willing to handle the rough access and complete self-sufficiency, it's one of Indonesia's most dramatic and least-visited camping spots.
Tanjung Ringgit's setting is unique in Lombok:
No human settlement on the cape itself. Nearest village is Sekaroh, 10km west.
Getting to Ringgit is the main filter:
Drive route: From Kuta, east via Awang to Ekas, then onto Sekaroh peninsula, then east following the cliff track. Total 60-70km but 2-2.5 hours due to road quality.
Vehicle requirements: 4WD vehicles handle the route safely. Trail-experienced scooter riders manage on Yamaha XSR or similar. Standard 2WD cars and inexperienced scooter riders should not attempt — washouts and steep gravel sections are common.
Guide-driver option: Hire from Ekas village (600k IDR/day) for first-timers. Knows the route, helps with cliff-edge safety, and can recover stuck vehicles.
Walking option: Park at the last village before the rough section, walk 5-7km. Hot in midday — start early.
Almost nothing built or maintained. Realistic features:
The bunkers are interesting historical artefacts but dangerous to enter — rusted rebar and crumbling concrete. View from outside.
Critical decisions for cliff-top camping:
The best zone is the open grass area 50m inland from the cliff edge, with low scrub for wind shelter.
Bring everything for the duration:
For 2 people, 2 nights, plan 25-30L water and corresponding food. This is significant weight — manageable in a 4WD, harder on scooter.
Realistic encounters at Tanjung Ringgit:
Snake risk is meaningful — wear closed shoes after sunset, check tent before zipping closed.
The bunkers date to the Japanese occupation of Indonesia (1942-1945), when Tanjung Ringgit was fortified to defend the eastern approaches to Lombok. After Japanese surrender, the bunkers were abandoned and have eroded ever since. They're not officially maintained or signed — just visible ruins.
Several bunkers contain partial original concrete plus rusted metal fittings. None are safe to enter or climb on. Photograph from outside, respect as historical artefacts.
Tanjung Ringgit faces east over the Alas Strait:
Both are worth waking/staying up for. Bring a tripod for low-light photography.
The cliffs are crumbling karst — sections collapse periodically. Rules:
Several deaths have occurred over the years from cliff falls. Take seriously.
No formal permit. Occasional informal "fee" of 10-20k IDR collected by villagers for "entry" — pay calmly. Be cautious of self-appointed guides demanding hundreds of thousands; politely decline.
The cape's pristine state survives because of the small number of visitors and self-sufficient ethic:
Annual community cleanups happen via Ekas surf community — join via Ekas guesthouses if you're around in October.
May-October dry season only:
Recommended 3-night southeast Lombok itinerary:
This loop uses Ekas as logistical base and showcases the southeast's wildest spots.
Mostly time-investment, minimal cash:
Less than even a budget Kuta hotel, with the world to yourself.
From Kuta Lombok, drive 2-2.5 hours east via Awang, Ekas, and Sekaroh peninsula to the cape. Last 10km is rough unsurfaced track suitable for 4WD or trail-experienced scooter only. From Mataram, 3.5-4 hours. Most travellers approach via Ekas as base. Hire a local guide-driver from Ekas (600k IDR) if first visit. The track follows the cliff edge in places — drive slowly. Standard 2WD vehicles cannot complete the route.
Ringgit vs Bloam: Ringgit is further east, more dramatic cliff-top setting with WW2 ruins; Bloam has the bay and sea caves. Ringgit vs Sekaroh: Sekaroh is the broader peninsula; Ringgit is the eastern cape. Most travellers do both as a 2-night southeast loop. Ringgit suits sunset/photography lovers; Bloam suits beach swimmers.