Ekas Bay is a large protected bay on the south-east coast of Lombok known primarily as a surf destination but with multiple boat-accessible snorkel sites along the bay's outer headlands and inner reefs. The protected bay shape means consistently calm water for boat-based snorkeling, while the remote location and limited tourist development keep crowds low. Best treated as a 2–3 day surf-camp-and-snorkel destination rather than a casual day-trip — the long drive from Kuta or Mataram doesn't justify a single-day snorkel-only visit.
# Snorkeling Ekas Bay: The South-East Surf Camp's Secondary Activity
Ekas Bay is a large protected bay on the far south-east coast of Lombok, accessed by 2-hour rough drive from Kuta Lombok via Awang. It's known internationally as a surf destination — the outer headlands of the bay produce world-class waves at sites like Inside Ekas, Outside Ekas, and Ekas Right, attracting a small but dedicated surf-tourism community. The handful of established surf camps on the bay shore (Ekas Surf Resort, Heaven on the Planet, Lemongrass) cater primarily to surfers but also offer boat-based snorkeling as a secondary activity.
This guide explains what snorkeling in Ekas actually looks like and whether it's worth the long drive for snorkel-only visitors.
Ekas is a large bay roughly 5km wide with a narrow outer mouth opening to the Indian Ocean. The bay shape provides natural protection from open-ocean swell — the inner bay water is consistently calm, while the outer mouth and headlands take the full force of incoming swell, creating the surf breaks that define the area's reputation.
For snorkeling, this means two distinct zones:
Inner bay sites (calm, beginner-friendly): Various reefs along the inner bay coast in 2–6m water. Calm conditions year-round. Limited current. Suitable for casual boat-based snorkeling.
Outer mouth sites (intermediate, current-influenced): Reefs at the bay's outer headlands in 4–12m water. Stronger current, more wave action, but also healthier coral and more diverse fish life. Recommended only with guides familiar with conditions.
Across Ekas Bay sites:
The marine life is solid but not spectacular. It's notably healthier than the south-coast shore reefs (Mawun, Selong Belanak) but not at Sekotong-Tangkong level.
Almost all visitors to Ekas come for surfing. The handful of accommodation options are surf camps with package structures built around surf-boat schedules. Snorkelers arriving outside this structure face logistical challenges:
If you can adapt to this — or if you're combining surf and snorkel — Ekas works well. If you're snorkel-only and want a snorkel-focused environment, Sekotong or the Gilis are better choices.
Three options, in order of viability:
Multi-day surf camp package (recommended for surfers): Stay at Ekas Surf Resort, Heaven on the Planet, or Lemongrass for 3–7 days. Package includes accommodation, meals, and surf boats. Snorkel boats are usually optional add-ons (200–400k IDR per trip). Total cost 5–15 million IDR/person depending on camp tier.
Multi-day combo package (for surf + snorkel): Same camps offer mixed surf-and-snorkel packages with morning surf and afternoon snorkel. Best of both worlds for travelers wanting variety.
Day-trip from Kuta Lombok (not recommended): 60km drive each way on rough roads, plus boat charter from the village (400–700k IDR per boat). Total 8+ hour day for 3–4 hours of actual snorkeling. The drive eats most of the day and the snorkel quality doesn't justify it.
A typical half-day snorkel boat from an Ekas surf camp hits 2–3 sites:
Inside Ekas reef: Calm inner bay site, beginner-friendly, moderate fish life. 30–45 minutes.
Outer headland reef (north or south): More current, healthier coral, better fish diversity. 30–45 minutes. Intermediate snorkeling.
Small offshore island reefs: Patchy reef with shallow areas, suitable for casual swimming and beginner snorkeling. 20–30 minutes.
The right circuit is one calm site (warm-up), one outer site (main attraction), and one shallow site (cool-down or beginner swim).
Dry season (May to October): visibility 10–18 meters at the deeper outer sites, 6–12 meters at inner bay sites. Water 27–28°C. Mornings dramatically clearer than afternoons.
Wet season (November to April): visibility 5–10 meters with runoff from the surrounding hills. Boat conditions can be rough on south-easterly swell days. Surf camps reduce operations during peak wet season.
The single best window: July through September — dry season clarity with the south-east trade winds at their most consistent (good for surf and snorkel together).
The drive to Ekas is the worst factor in the calculus of visiting. The route from Kuta Lombok takes 2 hours minimum on roads that vary from paved to rough single-lane track. The last 10km approaches Ekas through dry hills with limited markers — Google Maps generally works but cellular signal drops in the final stretch.
Once you arrive, you're committed. There's no Grab, no scheduled transport, no last-minute changes of plan that don't involve another 2-hour drive. The remoteness is part of the appeal for surf travelers but a real practical hurdle for casual visitors.
This is a major reason to recommend either multi-day surf-camp stays or skipping Ekas entirely for shorter snorkel-focused trips.
If you're a surfer planning a Lombok surf trip, yes — Ekas is one of the best surf destinations in Indonesia, and the secondary snorkeling activity rounds out a multi-day stay nicely. Book a surf camp.
If you're a snorkel-focused traveler with limited time, no — go to Sekotong or the Gili Islands instead. The reef quality is comparable or better, and the access is dramatically easier.
If you're a couple where one person surfs and one snorkels, Ekas is one of the better destinations on Lombok — the surf is world-class for one partner, the snorkel is decent for the other, and the camp life works for both.
The honest pitch: surf-camp destination with secondary snorkel access, requires multi-day commitment, remote and beautiful, not worth a snorkel-only day-trip from elsewhere on Lombok.
Ekas Bay is on the south-east coast of Lombok, 50km south-east of Praya, accessed via Awang and the south-east coastal road. The drive from Kuta Lombok is 60km on rough secondary roads (2 hours minimum), from Mataram 100km (3 hours), from the airport 70km (2.5 hours). Self-drive scooter is doable for experienced riders but the rough road sections punish inexperienced ones. Most visitors come on multi-day surf-camp packages with included transport. There is no scheduled bemo, no Grab/Gojek service in the immediate area, and very limited cellular signal once you reach the bay.
Ekas vs Pink Beach: Pink Beach is closer to Kuta with easier shore access; Ekas requires longer drive and boat-based snorkel. Ekas vs Sekotong: Sekotong has more snorkel sites and easier multi-day infrastructure; Ekas is more remote and surf-focused. Ekas vs Belongas Bay: Belongas is dive-only territory with serious currents; Ekas is far more accessible and beginner-snorkel-friendly within its calm bay sites.