Surfing Lombok: 5 Days at the Newly-Opened Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok
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Fresh off a five-day stay at the newly opened Surf & Yoga Retreats in Lombok, I find myself still daydreaming about the coffee-in-hand sunrises from the yoga deck, the boat trips to the breaks with our surfboards piled high on the bow, the chef-prepared family-style meals around the dinner table daily, the open-roofed showers in the sunshine yellow bathroom that always brightened my day…I could honestly go on and on.
While this stay did come together exchange-style (full disclosure) and the blog post you’re reading right now is partly me holding up my end of the bargain, it’s also an honest portrayal of what was truly an exceptional surf retreat experience. And I’ve had a few already to compare it to. The best part, though? The way it came together.
Quick Facts:
Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok is the newest addition to the Surf & Yoga Retreats family. They also have locations in Sri Lanka, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Bali, and the Maldives.
Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok is located on the southern coast of Lombok in the town of Kuta, near at least five different surf spots, suitable for all surf levels.
An all-inclusive, affordable, and non-fixed start date-style surf retreat, packages at Surf & Yoga Lombok start at €435 ($475) for 5 nights, though there are perks for staying a minimum of 7 nights. You can view the various surf and yoga packages at surfnyogalombok.com.
How I Ended Up at a Surf Camp in Lombok, Indonesia
Photo Credit: Sabrina Yoga & Surf Photography
Before I landed in Lombok, I had been traveling Sri Lanka for two months. One fateful day while there, I wandered into a coffee shop in Mirissa called Loose Keys to get some writing done. Lured there by the good reviews on Google, I later realized it was connected to a surf camp—Surf & Yoga Mirissa to be exact. Seated behind me in the cafe’s cozy coworking space was Priyal Kiramage, the founder of not just the Mirissa location, but the entire eight location-strong Surf & Yoga Retreats brand.
We chatted. I told him I’m a writer. He told me he runs the camp there, leaving out the detail that he was the founder of the larger company. We followed each other on Instagram and I went on my way. At the time, nothing was discussed about the soon-to-launch Lombok retreat. I don’t even think I mentioned I was heading to Indonesia after Sri Lanka. Even the word Lombok meant nothing to me at the time.
In the days that followed, I found myself reaching out to Priyal for surf advice, grateful I now had a local contact who knew Sri Lanka’s south coast surf spots well. There was apparently a huge swell moving in that would pretty much mean no surfing for me unless I could find a more protected bay somewhere to head to. Priyal knew just the place. Hiriketiya he said. So I hopped on a bus and headed there the next day.
Besides becoming my favorite spot in Sri Lanka, Hiriketiya is also where I met Ash, a handpoke tattoo artist and traveler who had just come from Indonesia. She raved about Lombok and successfully talked me into spending most of my Indonesia trip on this less-crowded and lush landmass east of Bali. Lombok was a spot that had never even been on my radar before, but from then on, Lombok was the whole plan, Bali merely the bookend on either side.
When I was a week out from my flight to Indonesia, I popped open Instagram and saw Priyal announcing the grand opening of the Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok location. Without thinking too long and hard about it, I reached out and asked: “Interested in some coverage?” Instantly he said yes and, not long after, formally offered me the exchange. It was an incredible sequence of events, loaded with right time, right place, right people, and a reminder that you never know which of your seemingly meaningless daily decisions or interactions just might be setting you up for an amazing experience down the line.
The Surf & Yoga Retreat Experience in Lombok
The Villa
Photo Credit: Sabrina Yoga & Surf Photography
Taking over a spacious and serene three-bedroom hilltop villa, Surf & Yoga Retreat Lombok is a sight for sore eyes, especially if your arrival is preceded by a two-hour taxi, then a five-hour ferry, then one more two-hour taxi (like mine was). The wraparound porch, infinity pool, and cozy common spaces instantly put you at ease. If you’re lucky the co-manager Egy will be there when you arrive, greeting you with his contagious grin, placing a cup of coffee or tea in your hand, and telling you to make yourself at home. And home is exactly how it will begin to feel by week’s end.
The Rooms
Photo Credit : Sabrina Yoga & Surf Photography
I stayed in one of the shared rooms, which meant I had just one roommate (hi Dani!). Our room came with two twin-size beds, plenty of storage space, and a private bathroom with a glorious roofless shower. There are currently two other rooms available, one of which is private with a king-size bed and the other a spacious four-bed shared room, each with an ensuite bathroom. There is both AC and a ceiling fan in every room, though we often found the fan to be effective enough to keep us cool during the night. Out front of each room are two chairs and a coffee table that overlook the infinity pool, perfect for enjoying the ocean views in the distance and the cacophony of birdsong in the mornings or Muslim calls to prayer at sunset.
Plans are in motion to build a few additional bungalows on the property to extend the maximum guest count from eight to twelve guests when fully booked. This means Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok will always be an intimate, small-group experience, which was one of my favorite aspects of this particular retreat compared to others I’ve attended.
What’s Included
Surf & Yoga Lombok is an all-inclusive surf retreat, meaning, depending on the package you book, your accommodation, all meals (except for lunch), yoga classes, surf lessons, board rentals, board insurance, and transportation to and from the surf spots are included in your stay. Additionally, there’s an infinity pool, a cozy living room with books and games for borrow, wifi throughout the property, and free tea, coffee, and fruit available for you all day, every day. There’s also a kitchen you’re welcome to use when breakfast and dinner aren’t in the process of being prepared.
Also included in your stay is one surf day trip (meaning two coached sessions with Rif, one in the morning and one in the afternoon at a surf spot further afield) and one surf video analysis with surf theory class at some point during your stay, of which you’ll get to keep the video files for your own surf journey records. That was a perk I wasn’t expecting going in!
What It’s Like to Be a Guest at Surf & Yoga Lombok
While the schedule changes daily based on the surf report, there will always be one surf lesson, two yoga classes, breakfast, and dinner. Occasionally, there may be an additional event included, like a sound healing, movie night, or an impromptu, guest-initiated trip into Kuta town for lunch, late-night drinks, or an afternoon at the beach. Oftentimes, the afternoons are left wide open for you to rest and spend your time as you wish.
The Daily Surf Lessons
Every day, once a day, there is a surf lesson with Rif and his team. The location of the lessons depends on the day’s surf conditions, but chances are you’ll hop on a boat and head to one of several spots in Gurupuk Bay. During my retreat, we mostly surfed Outside Right and Cocos, both were excellent spots for beginners and intermediates.
Rif’s coaching style is to take you from beginner to professional beginner (his term) in a short span of time. Often this means that a smaller board will be handed to you with each passing lesson. And because he knows you’re ready for it before you do, it leads to quite a nice confidence boost when you go from an 8’5 at the start of the week and finish comfortably surfing a 7’4 by the end of the week. Thanks for the push, Rif!
The Daily Yoga Classes
Photo Credit: Sabrina Yoga & Surf Photography
While I didn’t sign up for the yoga package that includes two classes a day, I was able to attend any of the classes I wished to for a per-class fee of 130,000 IDR ($8). There were always two classes available each day, one in the morning and one in the evening, often right at sunset. The class styles ranged from surf stretch and vinyasa to yin and restorative. I always left feeling rejuvenated and in a state of zen.
The yoga shala looks out over the green-coated hillsides and is usually nice and breezy. It’s truly a beautiful place to practice any time of day. You’re also welcome to borrow a mat and do your own flow or meditation when classes aren’t in session.
The Family-Style Meals
Photo Credit: Sabrina Yoga & Surf Photography
The meals were some of the most memorable moments of my retreat. Entirely vegetarian, sometimes even plant-based, they featured a mix of Western and local Indonesian cuisine, all served family-style. Adnan, the chef, is a genius in the kitchen. Everything from his homemade hummus, babaganoush, and pesto to his vegetable curry, corn fritters, and lasagna were mind-blowingly tasty. I’m not even exaggerating.
Included in your stay is a daily breakfast and daily dinner. Lunch is up to you. You’re welcome to prepare something yourself in the kitchen or head into Kuta town for a bite at one of the many restaurants there. There’s also always free tea, coffee, and water available throughout the day and night.
The Activities & Excursions
While these weren’t officially up and running in the opening week when I was there, there will be weekly activities and excursions available, including sound healing ceremonies, day trips to the north of the island, and post-surf brunches together. With such a small group, it’s also likely that the group will piece together its own off-site activities during the free time.
During my retreat, we went together informally as a group to Tanjung Ahn Beach, the Lombok Eco-Market, and Loka for an ice bath and sauna session. I will mention that it’s a good idea to rent your own scooter to make some of these impromptu activities a bit easier to join, but it’s also likely you can hop on the back of another guest’s as well. I rented a scooter through Surf & Yoga for 80,000 IDR per day (about $5).
Book Your Stay at Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok
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6 Day / 5 Night Balance Surf and Yoga Package - from $604
Includes: 2 yoga classes per day, daily semi-private surf coaching lessons, video analysis and surf theory, 5 nights accommodation, daily meals, unlimited drinking spring water, tea, and coffee
8 Day / 7 Night Balance Surf & Yoga Package - from $876
Includes: 2 yoga classes per day, daily semi-private surf coaching lessons, free use of surf equipment, video analysis and surf theory, 1 surf day trip, 7 nights accommodation, daily meals, unlimited drinking spring water, tea, and coffee
11 Day / 10 Night Balance Surf & Yoga Package - $1197
Includes: 2 daily yoga classes, 7 semi-private surf coaching, 1 surf day trip, 1 video analysis and surf theory, 10 nights accommodation, 10 nourishing breakfast buffet, 10 wholesome dinner buffet, unlimited drinking spring water, tea, and coffee
Practical Information
Where is Lombok and the retreat?
Lombok is the next biggest island east of Bali. Kuta, Lombok is the surf paradise on Lombok’s southern coast and where Surf & Yoga Retreats Lombok is located.
What’s the best way to get to and from Lombok and the retreat?
By Plane
There is an airport on the island called Lombok Praya International Airport (LOP) with direct flights to and from Bali on Thai Lion Air, Citilink, and Wings Abadi Airlines and from Jakarta on Batik Air, Super Air Jet, and Garuda Indonesia. You can also fly direct from Komodo on Wings Abadi Airlines. You can check your flight options via WayAway, my favorite flight comparison site for getting the absolute best deal on your airfare. The airport is about 30 minutes from Surf & Yoga Lombok. See the “By Taxi” section below for taxi/transfer details from there.
By Ferry or Fastboat
Alternatively, you can take a fast boat or ferry from Bali, the Nusas, or the Gilis. This is how I did it and it’s by far the cheapest way to arrive and depart. Check 12Go for your best options. As boats can sell out, I do recommend booking in advance. You’ll arrive/depart Lombok by way of Bangsal Port in the north. From there, it’s about a 2-hour drive to Surf & Yoga Lombok and Kuta in the south. See below for taxi/transfer details from there.
By Taxi
From the airport or boat terminal, you’ll need a driver. Grab and Gojek (Indonesia’s equivalent to Uber) do not work in Lombok. It’s worthwhile to have a ride arranged and waiting for you when you arrive to avoid getting overcharged. I paid 400k for a private transfer and 150k for a shared shuttle of three or more people to and from the Bangsal Port in north Lombok. My taxi contact was Adi Ijoonk. You can message him directly on WhatsApp at +62 812 4619 8230. His car was clean, comfortable, and could fit up to four passengers.
What’s the best way to get around Kuta and Lombok?
By Scooter
Surf & Yoga Retreats can arrange your scooter rental for you, having one waiting for you when you arrive. It should cost somewhere around 80,000 IDR per day (about $5USD). The roads are beautifully paved and mostly empty in Lombok, so even the most cautious on a scooter will feel comfortable driving one here.
Where in Lombok should I stay before and after the retreat?
I highly recommend staying in Kuta. I stayed at a really lovely and affordable spot called Room 212 ($15/night) right in the heart of town (private room, AC, breakfast included), but a few other more luxe options include Origin Lombok ($129/night), Mana Eco Retreat ($106/night), Porter Hotel ($50/night), and Kies Villas Lombok ($45/night). For hostels, I recommend Pipes Hostel ($10/night), Botchan Hostel ($8/night), and Kaniu Capsule Hotel ($16/night). Also worth noting, both Porter Hotel ($18/night) and Mana ($27/night) have dorm room options if you want the luxe hostel experience.
Where in Indonesia should I spend time before and after the retreat?
The Gilis (famous for diving) and the Nusas (better known for snorkeling) are great options that are literally en route to and from Lombok from Bali. I passed through Nusa Penida on my way to the retreat, spending a couple of nights on the quiet eastern side of the island at a gorgeous guesthouse called Gapul pinpilinPauxa ($18/night). Kaje Cottage ($31/night) is another spot on the eastern side of the island that’s a great lodging option and within walking distance of the famous Diamond Beach. If you don’t stay there, at least check out Kaje Cottage’s on-site restaurant called Eastside Penida. It’s a gem, with chef-prepared meals at reasonable prices in a gorgeous atmosphere.
Alternatively, you could spend more time in Lombok and attempt to climb Mt. Rinjani, an active volcano in North Lombok and the second tallest in Indonesia. The trek takes anywhere from two to three days to do, and though I didn’t do it myself, I met many who did. Everyone recommended the two-day trek over the three-day, just due to how physically exhausting this climb can be. Viator has a few different highly-rated Rinjani trek options available.
You can check out Surf & Yoga Retreats for yourself at surfnyogalombok.com. If you’re planning to stay during the month of July, use code JULY10 for 10% off your stay.
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