Tanjung Aan
Tanjung Aan is the wide, sheltered horseshoe bay 20 minutes east of Kuta, and it is the south coast's signature beach. The bay curves for well over a kilometre between two headlands, the water is a pale turquoise, and because it faces away from the prevailing swell it is one of the calmer places to swim on this coast.
It is really two beaches in one. The western half has fine white sand and most of the warungs and sun loungers. The eastern half has a completely different texture — coarse, round grains that locals call pepper sand, which take on a faintly pink cast when wet and in low light. If you have heard that Lombok has a pink beach and cannot face the three-hour drive east to Pantai Tangsi, this is the honest substitute.
On the eastern headland sits a small hill with a viewpoint over the whole bay, and just beyond it is Bukit Merese, the sunset spot that most people pair with an afternoon here. The rock formation of Batu Payung, an umbrella-shaped sea stack, is a short walk or boat ride further round at low tide.
Warungs along the sand will grill fresh fish to order, and vendors sell coconuts and sarongs. It is busier than the bays west of Kuta, but the beach is long enough to absorb it — walk five minutes from the car park and the crowd thins out.
Travel tips for Tanjung Aan
- Walk east for the pepper sand and the quiet. Almost everyone stops within 100 m of the car park.
- Entry or parking is usually IDR 10,000–20,000, collected at a gate on the access road.
- Swim in the middle of the bay. Currents strengthen near the mouth and around the headlands.
- Combine it with Bukit Merese, five minutes further east, and stay for sunset — it is the standard and correct way to end a south-coast day.
- Batu Payung is tide-dependent. Ask at the beach whether you can walk round, or negotiate a short boat ride.
- Vendors are persistent but good-humoured. A polite, smiling *tidak, terima kasih* works.
Popular tours here
- South Lombok Tour: Kuta, Tanjung Aan & Pink Beach
- Lombok Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver
Frequently asked questions
Is Tanjung Aan the pink beach of Lombok?
Not officially — the eastern end has coarse pepper-grain sand that looks faintly pink when wet, while Lombok's actual pink beach is Pantai Tangsi, about three hours further east.
Can you swim at Tanjung Aan?
Yes, it is one of the calmer swimming bays on the south coast, though currents strengthen near the mouth of the bay and around the headlands.
How far is Tanjung Aan from Kuta Lombok?
About 20 minutes by road, which makes it the easiest good beach to reach from the main south-coast base.
Is there an entrance fee for Tanjung Aan?
There is a small parking or entry fee, typically IDR 10,000–20,000, collected on the access road.
What else is nearby?
Bukit Merese for sunset is five minutes east, Batu Payung rock is a short walk or boat ride around the headland, and Kuta town is 20 minutes west.