Imagine being at one of the Gili Islands in Lombok. Gili in the regional language signify ' small'. The islands around Lombok all have this prefix added to their names. The most popular of it is the Gili Trangwan , whose pallid beaches provides excellent snorkeling opportunities to the tourists.
Diving is another sport of choice in Lombok. The three Gili islands, Gili Lampu, Gili Sulat, Gili Lawang are the three major isles north of Lombok renowned to the divers. Indonesia swanks to have more than 35, 000 aquatic species thriving in its reefs and seas , thus making it a heaven for diving. Get enthralled by the turtles, White-tip Reef Sharks, Cuttlefish, Moray Eels, Angel Fish, Ghost Pipefish in the underwater of Gilis.
Surfing in along the Senggigi coastline is an amazing experience for the surfers. Cutting across the blue rippling water is thrilling as well as refreshing. The Kuta Beach is an exquisite sea-shore , unique of its kind. The golden pebbled beach is considered the best surfing destination of Lombok. Fishing is yet another aquatic activity which is celebrated in Lombok. Its on the beach of Kuta , the Nyale Fishing Festival is celebrated annually. Kuta Beach is often termed as a surfing Mecca for the water sport
Kayaking is yet another lovely water sport of Lombok. One or two persons kayaks are available and tourists like to indulge in it while on a visit to the Gili Islands.
Snorkelling in the indo Pacific waters and perceiving the vibrant sea life underneath is the best of memories what one can bring back from Lombok.
Sailing in Lombok
Life proves to be a great source of entertainment if you undergo the unique experience of sailing through the waters of the Lombok. Though the place is much less known to the visitors yet once you are here, Lombok is there to attract you times and again. Just imagine you are sailing through the islands and enjoying the exotic imagery of the landscape. Does that not sound interesting enough?
Sailing is an ever exquisite way to explore the beauty of the land. As the boat gradually moves through the waters of Lombok, the majestic land gradually unravel its charm and glory.
Attractions
As you sail through the cool waters of Lombok, you discover a whole new world of treasures and secrets. Every new minute you unleash a mesmerizing sight that is bound to captivate you.
Catch a glimpse of the stony- slab tombs of Sumba. Discover the isolated culture of the place and form your own opinion by having a watch at the place and its people from very close.
In the afternoon you can sail to Sumbawa and from there you move to the southern tip of the island of Moyo. The quiet coastal village with its serene life style, tribal customs and kaleidoscopic waters is there to lure you. You shall experience heaven on earth as you sail through the waters of the Gili Islands that has been taken as one of Asia’s longest running travelers ‘scenes.
Participate the sailboat- racing
In addition to enjoying the picturesque landscape you can take part in sailboat racing in Lombok. It can include a single participant and also the number can soar up to 10 0r 20. But an active participation demands requires you to know the art and the etiquettes of sailing. If you are afraid to participate but want to enjoy the game then simply be on the relaxing beaches and watch it from there.
All that is required
As obvious you require a boat to sail but in addition to that what you must know is the art of swimming. As a certain amount of risk is involved in the waters you should be sensibly prepared. But those who do not know how to swim, it is better to wear or carry a personal life saving device.
Variations
You can hire a boat for yourself or enjoy a journey with the cruises that take you on a trip across Lombok. The cruises are generally functionally from May to November. The cruises offer a very comfortable accommodation opportunity and good fooding.
Scuba Diving In Lombok
Lombok offers a wide variety of options for scuba divers both the novice divers, who have just taken a fancy to this adventure sport and to the veterans for whom scuba diving is more of a passion and an attempt to unravel the many mysteries of nature.
To the west of Lombok lie the three Gilis islands which have claimed international acclaim due to the high number of scuba divers who here there every year. Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are the three highlight on the scuba divers map. Tehse islands have grown to be major hubs of adventure sports, replete with diving centers, tourist dining options and party scenes. The spectacular marine life in these regions is unrivalled. Sharks, mackerels and rays infest these waters and the underwater flora is vivid and enchanting. It is this attraction that draws scuba divers who faithfully return each year to Lombok and indulge themselves in this sport. The Lombok Strait dividing Bali and Lombok is full of dive operators who offer expeditions. A varied number of options to the south west of Lombok provide quite an intriguing adventure. Dive operators at centers such as the Bay of Blongas and Dream Divers and the scuba divers prefer to ride a motorboat for about 20 to 30 min into the sea before taking the plunge. The Magnet (Sopia Lawisa), Coral garden, Wollis Pinnacle, Gili Sera and The Pinnacle are famous scuba diving site around this region. Kute in Lombok is another favorite haunt with scuba divers. For the tourists of Senggigi wishing to take a dive, Malibu and Alang Alang Wall are the ideal spots. Both Malibu and the nearby Malibu cave are preferred by beginners while Alang Alang Wall is perfect for the more experienced scuba divers.
Scuba diving in Lombok hold out an irresistible experience you are sure to cherish for the rest of your life. The exotic reefs, the eagle and manta rays and turtles swim with you through the luxuriant, azure waters of the Pacific Ocean and for a while you remain lost in nature’s bounty, far removed from the mundane worries of everyday life.
Rafting In Lombok
The picturesque Lombok islands offers thrilling rafting expeditions for the tourists coming here in search of adventure and solitude. This leisure sport is one of the most sought after activity in the island.
Rafting along the Remeneng River In Narmada , is not just fantastic but full of unknown mysteries. To your surprise out of the blue you may realize that your raft is gliding below a century old jungle tree. The feeling is inexpressible while the vista stupefying.
Rafting is basically a recreational activity in the island. The water is usually not that rough or violent and so rafting is quite safe here. Modern rafting is done with the inflatable boats which are manufactured with robust multi coated rubberized material having several self-regulating air chambers. Rafts may be of various forms. Generally it may accommodate 4 to 12 persons.
Rafting in the seawaters around the Lombok and Gili Islands is pulsating. Tourists would love to experience a bit of excitement in the Indo Pacific waters and rejuvenate themselves while exploring the secrets of the rippling sea.
Rafting is exciting and adventurous but the tourists are advised to hire a professional guide to direct them properly.
Some stimulating rafting takes place down the rapids of the Segara River with the tropical woods set as the backdrop. The rafting facilities provided here match the international standards and pioneers of river rafting, guides you to the climax of the adventure.
One can always go by himself to enjoy rafting in the Segara River but there are companies who plan such trips for the tourist’s benefit. While on a vacation it is advisable to go for such organized trips. Safety and pleasure both comes effortlessly in these tours.
At Lombok more or less all the luxury resorts arrange for rafting trips for their customers.
Along with rafting one can also try their hands out at other aquatic games like swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, shell collecting and loads of other innovative sports.
The unscathed magnificence of the island gets enhanced with the sea around offering a wide array of activities for the visitors.
Fishing In Lombok
Being in Lombok and not going for a fishing expedition is like having a cake without the icing. The waters of Lombok is endowed with a multitude of Piscean species. Fishing enthusiasts can hope for an enthralling experience while on a visit to this island.
Fishing Spots: The south west of Lombok towards Bangko- bangko opposite to Nusa Pesida, Bali is suggested as one of the best trolling and deep fishing destination. The Gili islands north west of Lombok is another interesting fishing site. Apart from these two outstanding fishing grounds , the Kuta beach, the coastline along the Tanjung Luar Village and sometimes even the remotest corner of the Senggigi Beach.
Equipments needed for fishing in Lombok: The traditional fishermen in the area still uses the age old fishing apparatus along with the tiny outrigger called the sampan. But the professional fishing charters uses updated and branded equipments for fishing. The fishing experts can also bring their own equipments for their own ease.
Types of fishes found in Lombok: Barracuda, big tuna, stingray, sharks and nyale are the commonest occupants of the sea.
The Nyale Fishing Festival: Fishing is not only an activity sport in Lombok. It is also in someway entangled with the island’s culture. The Nyale Fishing Festival on the Kuta Beach is an annual affair for which the islanders eagerly wait throughout the year. The 19th of October according to the Sasak calendar, which is actually the months of February or march lots of Sasak people congregate on the Kuta Beach when bonfires are lit up and the youth compete with each other in rhyming couplets called Pantuns. The first Nyale caught next morning initiates the festivities and the entire Lombok plunges into merry making. Young boys and girls sail out to the sea in adorned boats and pursue each other with occasional shouts and cheers. The focus of this festival is the Nyale fish which resembles a worm and whose consumption is considered to emit aphrodisiac properties. If the catch is excellent then the harvest in that year is supposed to be high – flying.
So folks don’t miss fishing, the next time you are in the Lombok islands.
Banana Boat Riding In Lombok
Banana Boat Riding, the very name sounds interesting. Isn’t it ! You might be pondering over what it actually is. If you are imagining yourself in the middle of the extensive sea on the jaded shell of a banana stem, then your presumption is absolutely erroneous. Banana boat is not what you are thinking it to be: frail, perishable and insecure. They are rather one of the most exclusive
The most unique of watersports in Lombok is the Banana Boat riding.
A banana boat often termed as banana is basically a recreational boat intended to be pulled by a bigger boat. Riders usually straddle on a large tube which is sustained by two smaller tubes that gives equilibrium and act as footrests too. Its very contour let you feel the kick of being so near to the water easily and all the more safely than waterskiing or surfing .
Most of the time it is seen that the luxury yachts have the banana as their aboard toy. But any mechanized boat can pull the banana boats. Most of the plush resorts of Lombok arranges for a commercial banana boat riding expedition.
Children are crazy about this ride. The banana boats are usually yellow in colour and often moulded in the shape of a real banana. That’s why the kids get attracted to it. Banana Boat riding in Lambok is quite safe for the children too. But kids should be old enough to swim. Very small ones are always provided with a life jacket and a parent or an elder sibling is advised to accompany him or her. More or less all the popular beaches of the island provides this opportunity to the tourists.
The models of the banana boats in Lombok have seats for three to ten people. Sometimes double models are also found with two tubes side by side.
Gliding away in a banana boat with your friends and family across the waters of the emerald sea at Lambok is simply marvelous. The spirits soar high , the heart beats faster and the sea seems to be a curious abyss to explore.
Canoeing In Lombok
Lombok boasts to have some of the exotic virgin white sand beaches where one can indulge in an assortment of activities. Being an island , Lombok is surrounded by infinite sea. The splash of water seems to insert life into the inanimate island.
Don’t you ever think of the sea around Lambok to be lifeless. The water thrives with the various sports played on its surface. Canoeing is one of the most well accepted and adventurous aquatic games of Lombok.
Canoes are actually narrow boats , manually sailed and pointed at both ends. Though they look much like kayaks, but canoes are open boats. They are used for recreation sports or conveyance. In Lambok its use is chiefly for entertainment purpose and thus the tourists take great interest in canoeing.
The gentle waters of the adjoining sea are said to be the best for canoeing purposes. More or less all the beaches of Lambok offers you to take a trip down to the sea in a canoe. Popular beaches like The Batu Bolong Beach and The Kuta beach draws a huge throng interested in this water sport.
Kayaks and Canoes are similar looking. Many a times it is advised to take the help of a professional tour guide to select for you the best canoeing options available in the island.
Canoes may have single ,double or multiple seating arrangements. The competition canoes are different from those of the recreational ones. The experience is good but one needs to be very active while sailing on a canoe , because the entire boat is driven by the muscle power.
If you are interested to have an idyllic view of the Lombok island then canoeing is the best way to fufil your desire. Your family can also accompany you for this kind of an adventurous expedition to the sea.
Canoeing is a great idea while on a trip to Lombok. The tourism potential of the Lombok islands are not yet exploited much. So its probably the remotest part of Indonesia. And canoeing would be an ecstatic affair on the tranquil seawater.
Many tourists prefer visiting the nearby Gili islands by canoes. The feeling is undoubtedly delightful, especially for those who lead a machinated life in the cities.
Kayaking In Lombok
Laid back against the mysterious Mount Rinjani the island of Lombok is the pearl of Indonesia.. With the Gili islands being a part of it, the water sports are an integral part of the island’s culture. Remote, baffling and watery , the island provides non stop entertainment to the visitors coming to explore its treasures.
Amongst the diverse aquatic games popular in the island kayaking has been one of the foremost. The narrow lightweight crescent shaped kayaks are simply outstanding when floating on the turquoise waters of the Indo Pacific water.
Kayaking in the blue waters of the adjoining sea is an exhilarating experience. Riding on a human powered boat and paddling your way through the breaking waves is just what the traveler would like to do in search of solitude.
Kayaks are usually designed to accommodate one or two paddlers in it. There is a cockpit where the rowers usually take a seat. Kayaking in Lombok is possible only in the sea water. The island’s beauty can be observed by kayaking across surrounding waters.
The experience of kayaking in Lombok is actually very enthralling. Imagine yourself and your partner amidst the deep blue sea, no one around , only the swish of wind and the gurgle of water.
Kayaking is most popular in the Gili islands. Freaking out to the eternal sea alone will give you a strange bliss.
Kayaks can be of various categories: sea kayaks, whitewater or river kayaks, surf kayaks, racing kayaks, Slalom Kayaks, inflatable kayaks, pedal kayaks, multi hull and outrigger kayaks. But Lambok especially provides the tourists with sea kayaks. Recreational kayaks are the most prevalent as the travelers just go out to the sea nearby for a pleasure trip.
The cockpits are large and very comfortable to sit. If you are lucky enough you may also come across a skin- on- frame or the folding kayaks. The usual size of these kayaks are 12 to 24 feet. The length of a kayak does matter because that determenis its tracking ability or more commonly it’s the effortlessness with which it travels in a straight line.
Some safety precautions have to be taken even if you are an experienced kayaker. towing lines, repair kits and survival gear have to be there with you also when you are on a recreational journey.
Lombok kayaking can highly exciting if one goes for the kayaking trips arranged by the luxurious resorts of the island. So check this out on your next trip to Lombok.
Shell Collecting in Lombok
Lombok, located east of Bali in Indonesia is a beautiful tranquil island with deep channels, bays, picturesque islands and pristine beaches with the spell-binding vista of sunsets. What can be more delighting than strolling along the idyllic beaches, collecting the various kinds of shells and watching the crimson sunset across the Lombok Strait to the holy volcano, Mt Agung on Bali! The shells will serve as excellent souvenirs and will remind you of the marvelous time you have spent here! And if are one of those romantic husbands or lovers then just surprise your spouse or sweetheart by gifting a string of beautiful shells, she will treasure it forever!
Apart from Snorkeling and swimming in the sea in Lombok, shell collecting is another interesting activity which you can surely indulge in to witness the strange creations of nature! The wide array of shells with their varied colors, shapes and size will surely inspire awe. Actually many people nurture the hobby or avocation of shell collecting for the bright colors, wide variety of shapes and patterns and their beauty. Shells have been utilized for making ornaments, accessories, coins and tools since yore and they have also featured in the writings of Aristotle and Pliny. Shells have also been found in the ancient ruins of the Egyptians.
For shell collecting you don’t need to be a conchologist or malacologist to identify shells! If you are interested in the diversity of colors and patterns of the Natural world, you will find a lot of pleasure in shell collecting. Besides while you indulge yourself in shell collecting, you can also explore the desolate coves and shorelines that abound in diverse species of marine life. Sometimes you can find a shellfish or you can trace a hermit crab staggering towards the sea.
You can find shells in the Lombok Beaches, especially in the region in central Senggigi that houses a deserted beach within the coconut grove.
Labuan Lombok, located a t the eastern coastline of Lombok Island, lying about 60 km west of Mataram has a small bay with a small opening to the north fronting the Alas channel. This area is influenced by tidal currents and is thus home to oyster species like Crassostrea cuculata and Ostrea spp having a shell length of 3 to 7 cm. On the shoreline, bivalves like Tapes tristis, Mactra maculata, Placuna sella, Anadara maculosa and Amalocardia squamosa are found.
If you are lucky enough you can also find some pearl bearing oysters including the Pinctada margarifera and Pteria penguin in the vicinity of the Gumbing Bay located south of Lombok Island.
However, while picking up shells do ensure that they are not home to any crabs or aquatic creatures!
1 comments:
I really love this article. There are lots of interesting and useful informations.
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