Tanjung Aan Beach: A Classic Worth the Ride

Tanjung Aan sits about 15-20 minutes east of Kuta by scooter, and it earns its reputation. It's a large, sweeping bay with calm water, interesting sand, and Merese Hill at its western end — one of the better viewpoints in South Lombok. If you have one beach day from Kuta, this is the one to pick.

The Sand

Tanjung Aan is known for having two distinct types of sand in the same bay. On the eastern end, the sand is made up of small, round pellets — locals call it moon sand, and the texture is unlike anything most visitors have felt before. The western end, closer to the hill, has fine, powdery white sand that's more typical of a tropical beach. Both sections are worth walking to. The difference is real and noticeable.

Swimming

The bay is large and well-protected, which keeps the water calm for most of the year. It's genuinely good for swimming — flat water, clear visibility, and a gradual drop-off from the shore. It's one of the few beaches near Kuta where non-swimmers or children can get in the water without worrying about strong surf. Even on days when swell is running further west, Tanjung Aan often stays calm.

There's a beginner surf break further out in the middle of the bay. It's separate enough from the swimming area that the two don't interfere with each other. Local instructors work out of the beach most mornings.

Merese Hill

The hill at the western end of the beach — Bukit Merese — is worth the walk. The trail up takes around 10-15 minutes and isn't technical. From the top, you get an unobstructed view over the full bay to the east and the coastline stretching west. It's one of the cleaner panoramic views in the Kuta area.

Sunset from Merese is popular and for good reason. Arrive 30-40 minutes before sundown to get a decent position. It can get crowded at peak season, but the hill is wide enough that you don't have to jostle for space if you walk slightly further along the ridge. There's no entrance fee, though parking at the beach costs 10,000 IDR for a scooter.

Eating and Drinking

There's a row of warungs directly on the beach — simple, shaded, and usually willing to give you a beach chair if you order a drink. Fresh coconuts, cold Bintang, fried rice, grilled fish. Nothing fancy, but exactly what you want after a swim. Prices are local-scale and reasonable.

Getting There

Head east out of Kuta on the main road and follow the signs for Tanjung Aan. The road is sealed most of the way and easy to navigate by scooter. Budget 15-20 minutes from central Kuta. There's a parking area at the beach and another at the base of Merese Hill — they're close enough to walk between.

If you don't have a scooter, transport can be arranged through most accommodation in Kuta, including at The Spot.

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Tanjung Aan is one of those beaches that delivers on the promise without requiring much effort. Go in the afternoon, swim, walk up the hill before sunset, eat at the warungs on the way back down. That's a complete day.

The Spot is a 15-minute ride west in Kuta Lombok. We're a coworking cafe and accommodation — a good base if you're spending time exploring this stretch of coast. More at [/cowork](/cowork).