Sekotong is a western peninsula in South Lombok.
Understand
[edit]There is much more to Lombok’s west coast than Sengiggi and the Gili Islands. Sekotong is the next big thing on the traveler's radar after years of quietly developing out of the limelight. It is the gateway to the rugged southwest peninsular and only a short drive from the main ferry port at Lembar. At its heart is Sekotong Bay, a huge arc of white sandy beaches overlooking a small chain of islands, collectively known as the ‘secret Gilis’. These southwest Gili islands are a far cry from their more famous cousins in the north and now attract a small but steady stream of weekend trippers and tourists looking for a real desert island escape.
Get in
[edit]
By plane
[edit]- From Singapore: Silk Air flies directly to Praya in Lombok a few times a week, depending on the season. The flight is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. FRom Lombok airport, an approximate 1 hour 15 minute drive will take you to the southern coast of Lombok.
- From Bali: Garuda, Wings air along with Lion air flies 3 to 4 times daily from Bali to Lombok also providing flights from selected destinations in Indonesia. The flight time is only 20-30 minutes from Bali, Please note that the airport in Lombok has recently moved to from Mataram to Praya in South Lombok and the drive from the airport to the southern coast of Lombok takes approximately 1.5 hours.
By boat
[edit]Gili Getaway Fast Boat (phone: +6281337074147). By far the quickest and cheapest way to Gili Gede is by fast boat. Gili Getaway, a Western owned company is operating the first fast boat service from Bali, Gili Trawangan and Senggigi to Gili Gede. The trip takes approximately 1½ hours from Bali and includes pick-up and drop off from/to your hotel in Bali. The boat leaves from Serangan Harbor in South Bali (approx 20 mins from Kuta / Legian / Seminyak) and takes you direct to the jetty at Kokomo Resort on Gili Gede. Gili Getaway IIII (The Bullet) runs from Gili Trawangan and the trip time is 45 mins beach to Jetty.
By car
[edit]It is around 60 km south of the capital Mataram, but feels much further due to the winding rural roads that pass through a never-ending series of small villages. It is doable on a day trip but best experienced over a few days, especially for divers or if exploring some of the sleepy offshore islands. Coming over by boat, it is just a short taxi ride away from the ferry port at Lembar.
By ferry
[edit]There is a public ferry crossing from Padangbai, Bali to Lembar, Lombok. It costs: Rp. 40.000 per adult, and kids aged 2-12 will pay less.
From the port of Lembar, bemos are going to Pelangan.
Get around
[edit]By public transport
[edit]The best way to explore the Sekotong mainland area is by riding your own vehicle, since public transport is quite rare. The roads are in a very decent condition. Only the last approx. 6 km to Dessert Point and Banko Banko are a nightmare.
By car
[edit]But, there is no taxi and no car on Gili islands, but you can just walk around, knowing that any place in the island is in a walkable distance. To get in one of the Gili island from Lombok island, one can arrange cars from Mataram, Senggigi, Bangsal, Kuta, Lembar, and other places in Lombok island. It could be booked in advance via [email protected] or WhatApp +6281904056966.
By boat
[edit]You can ask one of the fisherman of the island to escort you to some beach with his boat.
By motorcycle
[edit]A motor bike rent on the mainland can be organized e.g. in the Thamarind resort for a short trip to Desert Point (Bangko-Bangko), to the market or to the next ATM in Lembar harbour.
See
[edit]In the mainland
[edit]If you are in search of bright lights and lively late nights, you’ll be disappointed in Sekotong. This is the perfect example of untouched beach scenery where industrious locals bring in the local catch or collect seaweed and shellfish in the shallows. The Sekotong area encompasses the neighbouring village of Tawun which is the jumping-off point for the short trip to some of the offshore Gilis. The whole area is well spread out along two large bays and beyond, so wherever you choose to eat or stay, fabulous seascapes come as standard.
Heading west towards the tip of the peninsular, Pelangan offers up a prime example of local Lombok life. The traditional market here is one of the best in the southwest of Lombok. Tourism is slowly making its mark here but gold fever has already struck in the green hills overlooking the sea. As you pass you’ll notice countless local gold miners eking out a living among the cashew nuts and mangoes trees.
You can also see mangrove forests at:
Outside of the mainland
[edit]Just beyond the beaches of Sekotong are a dozen dreamy small islands fringed by pristine reefs and abundant soft white sand. Little more than tiny specks in the ocean, these secret Gilis offer peaceful island living and even the more established 3 Gili Nanggu, 4 Gili Gede, and 5 Gili Asahan are super chilled out. Other islands include 6 Gili Sudak, 7 Gili Tangkong, 8 Gili Genting, and 9 Gili Lontar, all with superb snorkeling and scuba diving close by.
Do
[edit]Gili islands (especially Gili Gede) offers a lot of beautiful and wild sandy beaches, it is a wonderful place for snorkeling and just wandering around, relaxing, and get in touch with the lovely and very friendly inhabitants and children of the island.
- 1 Mekaki Hill.
- 2 Dessert Point (Bangko Bangko). Dessert Point is widely regarded as one of the world’s very best surf spots on its day and the fast-moving, barreling waves are not for the faint-hearted.
Buy
[edit]There are no mini markets in Sekotong Beach.
Eat
[edit]Almost every accommodation at Gili islands has it's own restaurant and is open to public.
- 1 Ocean View Resto.
Drink
[edit]As the local people are Muslims, you won't be able get alcohol drinks at small shops; but you can get one in restaurants, even though they sometimes are owned and managed by Muslims.
Sleep
[edit]Most of the hotels and resorts sit on prime beachfronts in acres of space, even for budget accommodation. Apart from superb diving and snorkeling, these are places to be dazzled by the scenery and do next to nothing.
Gili Gede
[edit]- 1 Kokomo Gili Gede (located off the southernmost tip of Lombok), ☏ +62 821 4718 8997. A serene and chic resort, overlooks the sparkling aqua seas of the Indian Ocean. With Restaurant, private villas with pools and AC, golf green, tennis court and resort pool.
- 2 Secret Island Resort, ☏ +6281803762001. Offering a terrace and a private beach area, Secret Island Resort also includes an on-site restaurant for those staying. Some rooms include a seating area. A terrace or balcony are featured in certain rooms. Every room includes a private bathroom equipped with a shower.
- 3 Yut Inn Flower Paradise, ☏ +628179783508. A beachfront family holiday resort located next door to Kokomo Gili Gede. From Bali the "Gili Gateway" fast boat will bring you directly to the jetty next door and a short 1-2 minute walk to a warm welcome on arrival. You can cater for 1 - 16 guests in 6 bungalows (2 x Family Bungalows (1 double bed + 2 singles or 2 double beds,) 2 x Bamboo Bungalows ( 1 double bed) and 2 x Wooden Bungalows 1 double bed.). Restaurant breakfast is included. Rp350,000-Rp600,000 per night.
- 4 Pelangi Bungalow and warung (located at the most southern village), ☏ +62 818 0376 1806. Family owned. Three bungalows, a small restaurant and a small shop. Snorkeling and boat trips can be organized.
- 5 Thamarind Gili Gede (200m north of Madak Belo, directly on the beach), ☏ +62 81918170111, +62 81238315850, [email protected]. Family owned and managed. Three nice bungalows with shared bathroom (Rp. 350.000/night), one wooden house in nice local style with one room with private bathroom and sweetwater shower and two rooms which share a second bathroom with sweetwater (Rp. 400.000 and 350.000/night). They also provide tents (three person tent with queen size mattress Rp. 150.000/night, big tent (up to 9-12 persons) 250.000/night. The area is a big meadow with a lot of trees. Friendly staff. They also have a small restaurant. Snorkeling, boat trips, transfer and motorbike can be organized.
- 6 Ultimate Gili Gede Dive Resort (Ultimate Gili Gede) (right beside Thamarind), ☏ +62 819 361 65000. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Gili Gede's only dive operation and bungalows. It consist of 2 beachfront Superior Bungalows complete with AC, fridge, fan, mosquito net, and hot fresh water showers. Great restaurant with American and Indonesian cooking. Continental breakfast included in every night stay. PADI and SSI certified diving , daily boat trips, island hopping, snorkeling trips, guided bike tours, fishing tours, can be booked from 550k. Rp450,000-Rp900,000.
- 7 Villa Selalu, ☏ +61 411 031 607, [email protected]. Private, luxury retreat perched on the hilltop of a 4 hectare estate with 360 degree views of ocean. With live-in manager, chefs and staff. All 4 bedrooms are King-size with separate marble ensuite and dressing areas, located off a 30m terrace overlooking the 18m pool & separate entertainment BBQ pavilion. A separate TV entertainment area can be converted to a 5th king size bedroom if required. Additional single beds and baby cots available. Gardens, free wifi, access to private beach and complimentary kayaks, pushbikes and snorkelling equipment available anytime to explore the island or coral reefs. Villa Selalu's boat is available anytime for island hopping picnics or snorkelling adventures (price per hour). You have access to the entire villa and all amenities. Rp6,600,000.
Gili Asahan
[edit]- 8 Amahelia Luxury Resort & Restaurant.
- 9 Bleu Mathis.
- 10 Gili Asahan Eco Lodge & Restaurant.
- 11 VAYAM Boutique Resort & Spa.