I'm heading to Indo for 10 days and have provisionally decided on Lombok. Chasing the usual things we all chase on a surf trip. My level is intermediate. Wanna rent a motorbike and cruise around looking for waves. Does anyone have any advice about Lombok or suggestions on an alternative destination?

Ahh,, I did it the easy way as a beginner in Bali. Got a friend/guide. Its cheap enough.

For only a short trip I would go Nusa Lembogen instead. Closer and and easier place to get waves. Really nice place, an opposite to Bali really!
Lol.

Lombok is actually a really easy island to cruise around by motorbike. The traffic is less intense than Bali or Java.
Just go to Kuta Lombok and follow your nose
Chat to a few locals and a few tourists as to where you go and you will be on your way
I'm sure you can google search all the spots
It's as easy as that
Just lock up your gear in your hotel
Alternatively you could go on that boat trip that takes you to Lombok and Sumbawa visiting all the spots
Don't know the name of the company that does it but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find out

Get the pocket book Wavefinder Indonesia.

Get an overnight ferry 6hrs, or half hr flight if you wish. Negotiate a drive to Kuta, can't remember the cost. Plenty of accom in Kuta, I stay at the Novatel but only because the missus comes along. Lonely Planet has accom details.

Bikes can be arranged on arrival.

Lombok is fun and it is a bit out of fashion at the moment. Thing is, the waves aren't really the idealic indo perfection that are on offer in other parts. If it were me going on a solo mission, I'd be looking to hook up with some crew for a ments boat trip and chase perfection.

Thanks for all the information guys. Appreciate it. I am looking into Nias as well at the moment. Also the Banyak Islands. Don't have the cash for a Mentawai boat trip :( What do you think about these two spots? Priority number one is wave quality. As always somewhere not uber-crowded would be good :D

If you only have ten days Nias and Nth Sumatra would be a waste of time unless you went the organized option
Unreliable ferries and long days of travel you would be lucky to get 5 days of surf in
As for somewhere not über-crowded I'd scratch Nias off the list
I'd stick to your original plan

Thanks Timkay. Good call actually the more I think about it. I have narrowed it down to Lombok or Bali. With the Bali option I would divide it up between Canggu for a few days and Nusa Lembongan for a few days.
I am a bit concerned that Lombok may be difficult to meet people as I am going solo and also I am unsure of the wave quality in Lombok. Although Bali is a beast of a place as regards traffic, crowds etc at least the waves are top notch...

Lakey Peak? Picks up lots of swell. Not too windy this time of year. Quick flight into Bima from Denpasar then get a driver to the spot. No need to hire a motor bike.

Now there's a good option
Crowds would be full on at Lakeys though
I think if you have been to Bali before and are over it then go to Lombok
If there spots in Bali you are keen to surf then stay around Bali
Bali be also good for a last night party

Don't forget Ekkas bay around the corner from Kuta on Lombok. You can get there by boat and have uncrowded waves, but forget staying at the resort at Ekkas, waaay too expensive to justify the product. Heaven on The Planet is the resort but there is a very basic village accom back from the resort and is a bit of a trek to the waves. Have some fond memories surfing there once on a 7 day boat trip and another staying in the resort.

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Pat01 said...

I'm heading to Indo for 10 days and have provisionally decided on Lombok. Chasing the usual things we all chase on a surf trip. My level is intermediate. Wanna rent a motorbike and cruise around looking for waves. Does anyone have any advice about Lombok or suggestions on an alternative destination?

the cheap option is southern sumatra google krui,

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Prawnhead said...

Pat01 said...

I'm heading to Indo for 10 days and have provisionally decided on Lombok. Chasing the usual things we all chase on a surf trip. My level is intermediate. Wanna rent a motorbike and cruise around looking for waves. Does anyone have any advice about Lombok or suggestions on an alternative destination?

the cheap option is southern sumatra google krui,

Just pack the motion sickness tablets
Heavy drive
If you cop a bad driver it will be a spew for all

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TimKay said...

Prawnhead said...

Pat01 said...

I'm heading to Indo for 10 days and have provisionally decided on Lombok. Chasing the usual things we all chase on a surf trip. My level is intermediate. Wanna rent a motorbike and cruise around looking for waves. Does anyone have any advice about Lombok or suggestions on an alternative destination?

the cheap option is southern sumatra google krui,

Just pack the motion sickness tablets
Heavy drive
If you cop a bad driver it will be a spew for all

...and if you only have 10 days you'll lose a couple of days getting there and back.

My driver last year was falling asleep at the wheel and in the end, I drove. A friends vehicle struck a local on the side of the road and it ended badly.

I'd wait for the long term swell forecast and make a decision then.

canggu mega crowded - read baliwaves.com

nusa lembongen great out of school hols

just been over there, nice and quiet

shipwrecks gets a bit busy, bit over rated too

but local boat to ceningans gives uncrowded waves
not worlds best wave, but pick the right ones its ok
locals have started to surf there thou :-(

playgrounds at 3-4 foot plenty good for intermediates
as is lacerations on high tide and not supercranking

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Pat01 said...
Difficult to meet people as I am going solo and also I am unsure of the wave quality in Lombok. Although Bali is a beast of a place as regards traffic, crowds etc at least the waves are top notch...

If you stay in cheap accom in Kuta you will meet other surfers. Fair few seem to stay in Grupuk also.

This time of year the swell should be ok plus not too windy - there should even be a few of the rights on offer. The waves are fun and can get very good, just not always picture perfect like some other indo spots.

For 10 days, do plenty of research like you're dong here. If you haven't been, Bali is a good place to start. My first trip was 4 days in Bali 3 in Lombok and 3 in Sumbawa. Did it all solo and had the time of my life. Before I started traveling with my girlfriend, I loved solo surf trips. You actually meet more people when traveling alone so don't be intimidated by it. Indo is pretty safe, just be smart about where you go, where you stash your money - just like any other trip.

Renting a motor bike in Bali or Lombok is no problem, just know the prices because Indo doesn't have a set price for anything. They charge you the amount they think they can get away with. Know the currency and exchange rate.

As others have mentioned, Bali is a great first stop, but you'll run into crowds, also in Lombok. Not too much, in my opinion, but still more than you probably want on a surf trip. I surfed Sumbawa alone. Again, as others have mentioned, Nusa Lembongan is a great alternative to Lombok and is close to Bali.

You'll have great time, bro. The key is going to be the research you do before you leave. Check tides, swell models, accommodation alternatives, get a feel for the lingo (it's easy) and so on.

^^^ you can always find solo surfs in Indo, even Bali! But of course it is almost always a compromise on quality as a trade for the lower crowds.