This relaxed beach town is the gateway to North Lombok’s best beaches, islands and national parks.
Tanjung is located on thenorthwest coast of Lombok and is the gateway to the renowned Gili Islands andGunung Rinjani National Park. Laid-back Tanjung is fast becoming a worthydestination in its own right, a place where you can charter a boat, venture outto waterfalls, play a round of golf or simply relax on its long, unclutteredbeaches.
Spend a day or twoexploring the Tanjung area or stay a week or more at the popular resort areasof Sire Beach and Medana Bay. Canoe, snorkel and swim off Sire Beach, astunning crescent-shaped bay stretching for several kilometres. There areplaces to rent equipment near the beach. Featuring an 18-hole, internationalchampionship golf course, the Sire Peninsula is also a solid favourite ofdiscerning golfers.
Hire a scooter or van andexplore local villages where women can be seen weaving baskets and creatingother traditional handicrafts. Explore the beautiful countryside around thevillage of Senaru and stop to cool off in the area’s many waterfalls.
Take a boat from thebeaches of Bangsal and fish for your dinner or just admire the towering beautyof Mount Rinjani from across the waters. Bangsal is also one of the accesspoints to the Gili Islands, which can be seen from the shoreline.
In Tanjung town, shop forsouvenirs, handicrafts and fresh produce in the large public market area. Atnight, sample some of the island’s food specialties at the small restaurantsthat line the main road passing through Tanjung. Alternatively, if you preferinternational cuisines, try the town’s small number of resorts and hotels.
Tanjung is about an hour’s drive north of Lombok’s capital, Mataram.Getting around Tanjung and the surrounding area is easy: simply hail a taxi orhorse-drawn cart, ride with locals in a bemo, which is a type of open-airminibus, or hire a motorcycle or car