Lombok

[hellololabells2019]

Looking to spend a week in Lombok in August 2026. We would like nice beaches and snorkelling. Any suggestions?

Haven’t been for many years but as I recall the Lombok beaches are quite big, surfy type beaches. Gili islands off the coast are more for snorkelling. But none is spectacular compared with eg Thailand

@minipiewhere would you recommend in Thailand? I’d disregarded it due to the rainy season

Ah sorry just saw August. No I wouldn’t go to Thailand then either - though it’s not bad in Koh Samui area at that time, but still wouldn’t be my top pick. My suggestion would be the islands off the east coast Malaysia and Singapore - Perhentians, Redang, Tioman etc

August - Indonesia. Nope!

Why not Indonesia in August unsure? Weather is good then? Or due to busyness?

Flores is good, Labuan Bajo - good snorkeling and you can see the Komodo dragons. A week would be perfect. Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur.

We have just ( today!) come back from the Thai Gulf Islands. The weather has been fantastic. Don’t discount it!

I went to Bali/Lombok in July, it was extremely humid but otherwise fine. However, it was a very, very long time ago so I would hate to give an opinion now. Snorkelling around the Gili Islands, however, was the highlight of our trip. It was amazing. At that time, Lombok was only just opening up to tourism and hotels weren't great. We were at Senggigi Beach, I think it was really the only place to go at the time and it was quiet and I only remember one road.

There are definitely beautiful beaches in Lombok and you are very close to the gili islands where you can walk into the water and swim with turtles / take snorkelling boat trips. But I do agree snorkelling in general is probably better in Thailand.

If you are more of the adventurous type then you can even head over to sumbawa (next island over) where you can swim with whale sharks.

August is a good month to go weather wise - it is dry season.