🌴 The Best Day Trips from Senggigi, Lombok — Adventures, Waterfalls & Secret Islands
Senggigi is one of those places where you could easily spend your entire holiday sipping coconuts and watching sunsets… but then you’d miss out on so much good stuff! Lombok is full of amazing day trips: from secret islands and turtle dives to jungle waterfalls that look straight out of a travel ad.
So grab your sunnies, pack a sarong, and let’s go exploring! ☀️
🐢 1. The Gili Islands (Trawangan, Air & Meno) — The Classic Island Escape
You can’t go wrong with a Gili Islands day trip: the famous trio just off the northwest coast of Lombok. From Senggigi, it’s about a 45-minute drive to Bangsal Harbor, followed by a 10–20 minute boat ride to paradise.
- Gili Trawangan: The lively one: beach bars, diving, and turtles galore.
- Gili Air: The balanced one: great snorkeling, chill cafés, and beach swings.
- Gili Meno: The quiet one: perfect for couples, hammocks, and peace.
Spend your day snorkeling with turtles, biking around the islands, or enjoying a coconut with your toes in the sand. You’ll be back in Senggigi by sunset: salty, happy, and slightly sunburned (wear sunscreen!).
🌊 2. The Secret Gilis — Hidden Paradise in the South
If you want to brag about going somewhere most tourists haven’t heard of, head south to the Secret Gilis near Sekotong. It’s about a 2-hour scenic drive from Senggigi, cliffs and blue bays along the way.
The “Secret Gilis” are a group of tiny islands like Gili Gede, Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis, and they’re absolutely stunning. Think:
- White sand beaches
- Calm turquoise lagoons
- Coral reefs right off the shore
- And usually no one else is around
You can do a snorkeling island-hopping tour that visits 2–3 of them in one day. It’s the kind of place where you might just say, “Forget Senggigi, I’m staying here forever.”
💦 3. Waterfall Adventures — Cooling Off in the Jungle
Lombok’s north is full of lush jungle and epic waterfalls that make perfect day trips from Senggigi. Two of the most famous ones north of Rinjani are Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, both near Senaru village and south of Rinjani Benag Stokel and Kelambu.
- Drive time: About 2 hours from Senggigi
- Vibe: Fern-covered canyon, mountain air, and ice-cold water
- Bonus: On clear days, you can even spot Mount Rinjani towering above
You can hire a local guide at the entrances, hike through the forest, and cool off under the falls, or just take photos pretending you’re in a shampoo commercial.
If you don’t want to spend too much time in a car, check out smaller and closer waterfalls like Tiu Pane.
💡 Tip: Bring sandals with grip or good shoes. The rocks are slippery and your flip-flops will betray you.
🏝️ 4. Malimbu Hill & Nipah Beach — Quick Sunset Escapes
If you don’t want a full-day adventure, Malimbu Hill is a quick 15–20 minute ride north of Senggigi and has one of the best sunset views on the island. From the hill, you can see all three Gilis in the distance — and if you stick around, the sky usually puts on a show.
On the way back, stop at Nipah Beach for grilled fish straight from the ocean: cheap, fresh, and eaten with your hands (the best way).
🧘♀️ 5. Tetebatu Rice Fields — For the Zen Souls
If you’ve had enough sand and sea, head inland to Tetebatu for a totally different vibe. It’s about 2 hours east of Senggigi, and it feels like Bali 30 years ago: quiet rice terraces, monkeys swinging in the trees, and small waterfalls hidden in the jungle.
It’s the perfect contrast to coastal life. You can walk through the rice paddies, visit local farmers, or even learn how to make coconut oil or coffee Lombok-style.
🌅 Final Thoughts
From sparkling islands to jungle waterfalls, Senggigi is the perfect base for exploring Lombok’s best day trips. You can go north, south, or inland and every direction leads to something beautiful.
Just remember: the journey is half the fun, the coconuts taste better after swimming, and no matter where you end up, you’ll probably want to stay longer.
