Final Up to date on June 24, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Selong Belanak Seashore sits on Lombok’s south coast, a large, white sand crescent that’s turn out to be one of many island’s most photographed spots. The water buffalo strolling the shoreline at sundown are an enormous a part of why it’s turn out to be so well-known and the explanation we needed to go. We visited because the final cease on a full day of seashore hopping with a personal driver, and organized the water buffalo photoshoot upfront by way of our information. Right here’s precisely the way it works, the very best timing for sundown, and the place to eat when you’re there.
This information is predicated on our personal go to to Selong Belanak Seashore, the place we organized and skilled the water buffalo photoshoot firsthand. No a part of this go to was sponsored however the gown hyperlinks beneath are affiliate hyperlinks.
Easy methods to Really See the Water Buffalo at Selong Belanak Lombok: What No one Tells You Earlier than You Go
We did a lot analysis on tips on how to see the water buffalo on Selong Belanak Seashore and there was no clear reply. Everybody appeared to say all of it got here all the way down to luck. However right here’s what no person tells you, most likely as a result of nobody is aware of until somebody tells them!
The water buffalo at Selong Belanak aren’t a assured wild sighting you’ll simply stumble throughout strolling the seashore. The farmer might sometimes do it however if you wish to assure seeing them, it’s a paid setup. Most vacationers don’t notice this, they only hear that buffalo generally stroll the seashore and present up hoping to get fortunate.
We knew how standard the water buffalo sightings at Selong Belanak seashore Lombok are, there’s even photographs on the airport so we knew they’d be surrounded by folks as quickly as folks noticed them, so we headed to the opposite finish of the seashore for the farmer to fulfill us. Just a few folks tried to hitch us however our information was actually good about ushering them away.
Sure, you possibly can take a photograph from a distance of them in case you’re fortunate sufficient to see them, however if you wish to work together with the farmer and buffalo safely, you’ll want to rearrange it with the native farmer through a contact like your driver (particulars beneath). They introduced the herd out particularly for photographs at sundown. If you’d like the shot, you must organize it forward of time fairly than displaying up and hoping. And please don’t strategy the herd with out doing this and the farmers specific permission. Whereas domesticated Water Buffalo are typically pleasant they weigh as much as 2,000 kilos, can cost at as much as 30mph, and have large horns, don’t fiddle!
TIPS: We booked our day by way of a personal driver @lombokte_adventure, who set the entire thing up upfront, coordinated straight with the farmer, and stored different vacationers from strolling into our shot whereas we obtained it. Arranging it forward of time provides you a much better likelihood of truly getting the second and interacting with these lovely creatures, fairly than lacking the timing.
We additionally actually want we’d employed a neighborhood photographer. My husband doesn’t usually like being in photographs however he felt like he missed out on the expertise as a result of he was attempting to take the photographs, video, and direct me velocity and route sensible so I didn’t get run over by the herd of water buffalo!
In case you have the time, I extremely suggest reserving an entire non-public day journey with Lombok Tour & Adventures. You possibly can customise your journey to get precisely what you need, extra particulars on our Lombok Day Tour right here. I’m not affiliated with them and we paid in full, that is simply an sincere advice from an expertise we actually appreciated.
Greatest Time for Sundown and Buffalo Pictures at Selong Belanak Lombok
Plan to be on the seashore between 4 and 7pm. This window covers each the buffalo stroll and sundown, so you possibly can present up, calm down and watch the sky change. Sundown itself tends to peak round 5 to 6pm, portray the entire bay in pink and orange, which is precisely when the buffalo are usually introduced out, so the 2 moments overlap fairly than competing to your time. The sundown right here is spectacular with the huge bay, mountains, and crystal water.
The place to Eat at Selong Belanak Seashore
As at all times, we did plenty of analysis on the place to eat at Selong Belanak Lombok and selected Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant which sits proper on the sand and is the plain selection if you would like dinner with a sundown view.
We ended our day there after the photoshoot, and it’s arrange particularly for watching the sunshine change over the water when you eat. The service was so pleasant, the view unbeatable, plus there have been some cats and canine for me to make mates with.
Should you’re on the lookout for one thing extra informal earlier within the day, Selong Belanak seashore is lined with native warungs renting solar loungers and serving easy Indonesian dishes. A very good possibility in case you’re spending the entire afternoon there fairly than simply popping in for the golden hour.
The Verdict
Selong Belanak is well worth the drive for the seashore alone, however the water buffalo picture is the true motive most individuals make the journey. Guide it forward of time, time your go to for late afternoon so sundown and the buffalo overlap, and finish the day at Laut Biru with a drink in hand. It’s one in all our favourite moments of our complete Indonesia journey, and positively price planning for.
Observe @glamourandgains for extra from our Indonesia journey.
FAQ
Presumably, in case you’re fortunate. However essentially the most dependable approach is to rearrange it upfront, which is what we did. Guide with Lombok Journey.
Plan to reach between 4 and 7pm. Sundown usually peaks round 5 to 6pm, which overlaps with when the buffalo are normally introduced out.
Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant sits straight on the sand and is the most suitable choice for a sit down dinner with sundown views. Native warungs alongside the seashore supply extra informal meals and solar lounger leases.
