Located on the southern part of the island, Lombok's Kuta doesn't have the buzz and millions of tourists of Bali's Kuta. Lombok's Kuta boasts some of Indonesia's most beautiful and pristine beaches while maintaining the serene and very laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of times before widespread international travel. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan there are 5 km of uninterrupted clean white sand on the Indian Ocean. Further to the west are the surfers and wind surfing beaches.

Each year, during the tenth month of the Sasak lunar calendar (around February or March) when the Nyale fish come to the sea's surface, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivities. Fishermen sail out to sea while young men and women gather along the beach to join in the merrymaking, tease each other and perhaps meet to build a more lasting relationship.

Approximately 2km east of Kuta is Pantai Segar and if you climb the enormous rock you'll be rewarded with great views of the surrounding countryside. There's also fantastic surfing in Kuta, especially at Gerupak, about 7km east of town and you can get there by local fishing boats. A beautiful sandy bay, Selong Blanak, lies to the west. There's plenty of surfing as well, if the conditions are right, at Mawan, Tampa and Mawi. Further west the road through Kuta winds through forested hills, with stunning ocean views at Pengantap.