Selong Belanak vs Tanjung Aan

Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan are south Lombok's most famous beaches — and arguably two of the finest beaches in Indonesia. They sit just 20 minutes apart by scooter on the south coast, making same-day visits easy and eliminating the need to choose between them. But understanding each beach's character helps you plan your time and expectations.

Selong Belanak is a long, crescent-shaped bay stretching nearly 2 km of white sand between two headlands. The bay is wide and open, catching Indian Ocean swell that reforms into gentle, rolling waves perfect for beginner surfing.

### Character

The beach has the energy of a classic surf beach. Surf instructors offer lessons along the shore. Longboards are available for rent. Warungs serve cold drinks and Indonesian food directly on the sand. The vibe is active and social — surfers catching waves, children playing in the shallows, and travelers walking the long shoreline.

### Best For

Beginner surfing: The gentle, consistent waves are among the best in Indonesia for learning to surf. Lessons cost 150,000-250,000 IDR ($10-17) for 1-2 hours including board. The sandy bottom and forgiving waves eliminate the reef risk that makes other Lombok breaks intimidating for beginners.

Swimming: The gradual slope and moderate waves create safe swimming conditions for most visitors. The eastern end of the bay is calmer than the western end where waves are larger.

Long walks: The 2 km beach length provides a satisfying walk along the water's edge. The views of the bay from either end are beautiful.

Families: The wide, gently sloping beach with sandy bottom is ideal for children. Shallow water extends far from shore. Warungs provide shade and food without leaving the beach.

### Practical Details

• Access: 20 minutes west of Kuta by scooter
• Parking: 5,000 IDR for scooters near the beach
• Facilities: Multiple warungs, sun lounger rentals (50,000 IDR), surf board and lesson rentals, basic toilets
• Crowds: Moderate during dry season, quiet during wet season. Busiest late morning to early afternoon
• Best time of day: Early morning for surfing (calmer, emptier), late afternoon for swimming and sunset views

Tanjung Aan is actually two adjacent bays separated by a rocky headland, creating a twin-bay formation that looks like a postcard. The water color is the headline — an intense, vivid turquoise that seems artificially saturated but is entirely natural.

### Character

Tanjung Aan has a quieter, more contemplative feel than Selong Belanak. The beaches are smaller, the facilities are fewer, and the focus shifts from activity to appreciation. Visitors come to swim, float in the impossibly clear water, photograph the color, and simply marvel at the natural beauty.

The sand is unique — one bay has fine white sand while the other has a distinctive "pepper grain" texture from rounded coral fragments. This unusual sand is worth examining closely and adds to the beach's distinctiveness.

### Best For

Photography: The turquoise water color is Tanjung Aan's signature. Photographs taken from the headland between the bays capture the color contrast between water, sand, and green hillsides. Morning light (8-10 AM) and afternoon light (3-5 PM) produce the most vivid colors. Midday sun washes out the subtle tones.

Swimming and floating: The sheltered bays create calm, clear water ideal for leisurely swimming. The water is shallow enough to stand in much of the bay, making it comfortable for non-confident swimmers.

Merese Hill access: The headland at the eastern end of Tanjung Aan connects to Merese Hill — a 20-30 minute hike to a cliff-top viewpoint with 360-degree views of the coast. This is one of Lombok's best sunset viewpoints and combines perfectly with a Tanjung Aan beach day.

Quiet beach time: Tanjung Aan is less crowded than Selong Belanak, particularly on the eastern bay. If you want beach solitude (relatively speaking), this is the better option.

### Practical Details

• Access: 10 minutes east of Kuta by scooter
• Parking: 5,000 IDR for scooters
• Facilities: A few warungs, developing tourism area, basic toilets. Less serviced than Selong Belanak
• Crowds: Lower than Selong Belanak. The eastern bay is quieter than the western bay
• Best time of day: Mid-morning for the most vivid water color, late afternoon for Merese Hill sunset

The proximity of these beaches makes a combined visit easy and rewarding. Here is the optimal one-day itinerary:

7:30 AM: Arrive at Selong Belanak for a surf lesson. The early morning waves are clean and the beach is quiet.

9:30 AM: Swim and relax on Selong Belanak beach. The morning sun warms the sand without the midday intensity.

11:30 AM: Lunch at a beach warung. Nasi goreng, fresh juice, and cold water.

1:00 PM: Scooter to Tanjung Aan (20 minutes). The midday sun creates the most vivid water color for photography.

1:30-3:30 PM: Swim, float, and photograph at Tanjung Aan. Explore both bays and the headland between them.

4:00 PM: Begin the Merese Hill hike from the eastern end of Tanjung Aan.

5:00 PM: Arrive at Merese Hill summit for sunset. The 360-degree views over the coast are spectacular.

5:45 PM: Watch sunset from the hilltop — the sky lights up over the ocean and the south coast headlands.

6:15 PM: Descend in the fading light (bring a headlamp) and return to Kuta for dinner.

This single day captures two of Lombok's finest beaches and its best accessible sunset viewpoint — a highlight of any Lombok itinerary.

Do not choose between them — visit both. They are complementary rather than competing beaches. Selong Belanak delivers the active beach experience — surfing, swimming, walking, and warung culture. Tanjung Aan delivers the contemplative beach experience — beauty, clarity, photography, and quiet appreciation. Together, they represent south Lombok's coastal character perfectly, and the 20-minute scooter ride between them is itself a scenic coastal journey.