7 Best Things to Do at Tanjung Aan & Mawun Beach 2026
Tanjung Aan’s white sand bay in South Lombok.
This list focuses on things to actually do at Tanjung Aan and Mawun specifically, for travellers who have a day at each beach and want more than just lying on the sand, rather than a general South Lombok overview. The two beaches sit on opposite sides of Kuta Lombok and have quite different characters, so this list groups activities by beach rather than ranking all seven against each other. Treat it as a menu to pick from rather than a checklist to complete in full; most visitors comfortably manage three or four of these seven on a relaxed two-day visit rather than rushing through all of them.
Research-based guide · Sources checked 3 October 2026. This is not a first-hand stay review or a ranking based on guest scores.
1. Climb the Hill at Tanjung Aan for the View
Tanjung Aan is often described as the whitest beach on Lombok, and the hill at one end of its double bay is the main reason to set aside extra time beyond simply swimming. The short climb gives a panoramic view back over the white sand and turquoise water, and it is a reasonable warm-up before the longer walk to Bukit Merese later in the day. Wear shoes with grip rather than flip-flops, since the path is informal rather than a maintained trail. Visitor guides to the beach generally recommend the climb as an early-morning or late-afternoon activity, avoiding the harshest midday heat on an exposed, largely shadeless slope.
2. Paddleboard in Tanjung Aan’s Calm Inner Bay
The inner part of Tanjung Aan’s bay stays shallow and calm for a long stretch from shore, which is exactly what makes it workable for stand-up paddleboarding even for people who have never tried it. Rental runs at roughly 100,000 IDR an hour from operators along the beach, and mornings before the wind picks up are the easiest time to actually stay upright rather than fighting a breeze. Instructors are not always on hand the way they would be at a dedicated water-sports resort, so first-timers should ask whoever hands over the board for a quick rundown of paddling basics before heading out, rather than assuming a lesson is automatically included.
3. Watch the Sunset from Bukit Merese
Bukit Merese is a grassy hill a short ride or walk from Tanjung Aan and one of the more reliable sunset viewpoints in this part of Lombok, with a wide outlook over the coastline and the bay below. Arrive with enough daylight left to find a comfortable spot before the light starts to fade, and bring a torch for the walk back down, since the hill has no lighting of its own after dark. The hill gets busiest in the final thirty minutes before sunset, so arriving a little earlier gives you a better choice of spot and a calmer walk up before the main crowd gathers.
4. Boat Out to Tanjung Aan’s Offshore Surf Break
Tanjung Aan’s main swimming area is shallow and calm, but a surfable break exists further offshore, reached by boat rather than paddling out directly from the sand. This is a different activity from the family-friendly inner bay and suits travellers who already surf and want a change from the beginner wave at nearby Selong Belanak, covered in our full Selong Belanak guide, or compare the two waves directly in our Selong Belanak versus Kuta comparison. Ask at the beach-front operators about current boat and board rates, since these are arranged informally rather than through a fixed-price counter. Confirm whether the quoted price includes the boat ride both ways or only the outbound leg, since this detail varies between operators and is worth clarifying before you commit, along with how long you will have at the break itself before the boat returns.
5. Swim in Mawun’s Turquoise, Sheltered Bay
Mawun, a short drive west of Kuta, trades Tanjung Aan’s scale for a smaller, more sheltered curved bay with turquoise water that is calm enough for confident, relaxed swimming rather than careful wading. It is a reasonable counterpoint to a more active day at Tanjung Aan: fewer activities on offer, but an easier, quieter swim. Comparative reviews of Lombok’s beaches describe Mawun’s water as consistently clear rather than murky after rain, which matters if you are choosing between beaches shortly after a wet-season downpour elsewhere on the coast.
6. Rent a Sun Lounger and Coconut at a Beach Warung
Mawun’s warung operators rent sun loungers informally, with a coconut typically included in the price, for around 50,000 IDR negotiated directly rather than posted on a fixed menu. It is a low-key way to spend an afternoon between swims, and the beach is noticeably quieter than Tanjung Aan, with fewer vendors and a more local feel. Settle on a price before you sit down, since rates are agreed directly with each small operator rather than posted on a shared menu board, and do not be shy about asking two or three stalls if the first quote feels high.
7. Spend Time with the Local Community at Mawun
Mawun draws a genuine mix of local visitors and tourists rather than being purely a tourist stop, and independent reviews of the beach mention local school children practising their English with visitors as a recurring, friendly part of a visit here. It is a small detail, but one that sets Mawun apart from more purely commercial beaches elsewhere on Lombok’s south coast, and a good reason to budget unstructured time rather than rushing between activities. Broader guides to things to do on Lombok tend to rank Mawun among the island’s calmer, less commercial beaches for exactly this reason, in contrast with more developed stretches of coastline elsewhere on the island, which is worth knowing if a quiet, low-key beach day is what you are actually after rather than a livelier scene with more vendors and activity options.
The Seven, at a Glance
| Activity | Beach | Approx. cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill climb & view | Tanjung Aan | Free | Photos, a quick warm-up activity |
| Paddleboarding | Tanjung Aan | ~100,000 IDR/hour | First-timers, calm mornings |
| Bukit Merese sunset | Tanjung Aan area | Free | Evening viewpoint |
| Boat to surf break | Tanjung Aan | Negotiated locally | Experienced surfers |
| Swimming | Mawun | Free | Confident swimmers wanting calm water |
| Sun lounger & coconut | Mawun | ~50,000 IDR | A slow, relaxed afternoon |
| Local community time | Mawun | Free | Travellers wanting more than a beach stop |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit both beaches into one day?
It is possible but tight if you want to do justice to both the activities at Tanjung Aan and a relaxed swim at Mawun. Two separate half-days generally work better than one rushed day covering both, especially if you also want to catch sunset at Bukit Merese, which effectively commits your Tanjung Aan day to running into the evening. Pack a change of clothes and a light layer for after sunset if you are planning dinner nearby once the light goes, since the temperature drops noticeably once the sun is down.
Which beach has more to do?
Tanjung Aan, with its hill climb, paddleboarding, nearby sunset viewpoint and offshore surf access. Mawun is simpler and better suited to a quieter, swim-focused day, which is not a downside so much as a different kind of day out; plan accordingly based on which pace you want.
Do I need to book paddleboard rental in advance?
No, rental is arranged directly with operators on the beach. Mornings tend to have better conditions and more availability than busier midday hours, particularly during school holidays and the June-to-August peak season when day-tripper numbers rise noticeably.
Is Bukit Merese within walking distance of Tanjung Aan?
It is close enough to walk for most visitors, though many choose to ride a scooter given the heat, especially earlier in the day before heading back for sunset. If you are walking, carry water, since there is little shade along the route and the last stretch up the hill itself is the most exposed part of the whole walk.
Is Mawun suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes. The sheltered bay is calm enough to wade and relax in even without swimming, and sun loungers are available for those who would rather stay on the sand. It is one of the more relaxed beaches on this part of the coast precisely because it does not demand any particular activity to enjoy it.
Are there toilets or showers at either beach?
Basic facilities exist at both beaches through the warung operators, though do not expect resort-standard amenities at either; this is a working beach-village setup rather than a managed tourist facility. Bring your own towel and a dry bag for valuables regardless of which beach you choose, since neither spot rents out beach gear beyond loungers and boards.
See the full 3-day South Lombok itinerary that includes both beaches plus Pink Beach, check Selong Belanak against Kuta as a base, or read our seasonal timing guide before fixing your dates. For an island add-on, see our Gili Trawangan guide. None of these seven activities require advance booking beyond, at most, arranging a boat for the offshore surf break, which keeps this list genuinely flexible around weather, energy levels and however the rest of your South Lombok trip is shaping up. If you only have time for two or three of the seven, pairing the Tanjung Aan hill climb with a swim at Mawun gives a reasonable sense of both beaches without committing to a full day at either.