Last updated on June 24, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Selong Belanak Beach, a wide crescent of white sand located on Lombok’s southern coast, is one of the most photographed spots on the island. The water buffaloes walking the shoreline at sunset are a big part of what made this place famous and why we wanted to go. We visited as our final destination of the day, beach hopping with a private driver and pre-arranged water buffalo photo shoots with our guide. Here’s exactly how it works, the best timing for sunset, and where to eat once you arrive.
This guide is based on our visit to Selong Belanak Beach where we organized and experienced our own water buffalo photography. No part of this visit is sponsored, but the dress link below is an affiliate link.
How to Really See Water Buffalo in Selong Belanak Lombok: What No One Tells You Before You Go
We did a lot of research on how to see water buffalo at Selong Belanak Beach, but there was no clear answer. Everyone seemed to say they were lucky. But this is something no one tells you. Probably because no one knows unless someone tells them!
Water buffalo in Selong Belanak are not guaranteed to be spotted in the wild while walking along the beach. A farmer might do this occasionally, but if you want to make sure you can see it, it’s a paid setup. Most tourists don’t realize this and are told that buffalo sometimes appear on the beach for good luck.
We knew how popular water buffalo sightings in Selong Belanak Beach Lombok were and there were photos at the airport too so we headed to the other side of the beach to meet the farmer knowing we would be surrounded by people as soon as they spotted the buffalo. A few people tried to join us, but our guide was really good at taking them away.
Yes, if you are lucky you can take pictures from afar. However, if you want to safely interact with farmers and buffalo, you will need to make arrangements with a local farmer through the same contact details as your driver (see details below). They brought out a group specifically to take sunset photos. If you want a shot, you need to prepare in advance rather than just show up and hope. And please do not approach the group without doing this. Farmers allow this. Domesticated buffaloes are generally friendly, but they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, charge at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, and have massive horns.
tip: We booked a day with a private driver @lombokte_adventure to set everything up in advance and coordinate directly with the farmer and make sure no other tourists were in our photos while we were taking them. Preparing in advance will help you avoid missing your timing and give you a much better chance of actually capturing the moment and interacting with these beautiful creatures.
We would also like to hire a local photographer. My husband usually doesn’t like taking pictures, but I felt like I missed out on the experience by taking pictures and videos and telling them the speed and direction so I wouldn’t get swept away by the herd of buffalo!
If you have time, we recommend booking a private day trip through Lombok Tours & Adventures. You can customize your trip to get exactly what you want. Find out more about Lombok day tours here. I have no affiliation with them and we paid in full. This is just an honest recommendation from an experience we are truly grateful for.
Best time to take sunset and buffalo photos in Selong Belanak Lombok
Plan to be at the beach between 4 and 7 p.m. This window offers views of both the buffalo walk and the sunset, so you can emerge, relax, and watch the sky change. Sunset itself tends to peak between 5 and 6 p.m. and turns the entire bay pink and orange, which coincides exactly with the time the buffalo usually come out, so the two moments overlap rather than competing for time. Sunsets here are spectacular, with expansive bays, mountains and crystal clear water.
Where to eat at Selong Belanak Beach
As always, we did a lot of research on where to eat in Selong Belanak Lombok and decided that if you want to have dinner while watching the sunset, Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant is located right on the sand.
We ended the day there after taking pictures. It’s specially set up so you can watch the light on the water change while you dine. The service was very friendly, the views were outstanding and there were even a few cats and dogs to befriend.
If you’re looking for something a little more casual earlier in the day, rent sun loungers and visit Selong Belanak Beach, which is lined with local warungs serving simple Indonesian dishes. It’s a good choice if you want to spend an entire afternoon there rather than just stopping in during golden hour.
verdict
Selong Belanak is worth the drive to the beach on its own, but the real reason most people make the trip is for the water buffalo photos. Book in advance and visit in the late afternoon to coincide with sunset and buffalo, and end the day with a drink at Laut Biru. This is one of our favorite moments from our entire trip to Indonesia and is definitely worth planning.
For more information about traveling in Indonesia, follow @glamourandgains.
FAQ
Maybe, if you’re lucky, you might. But the surest way is to prepare in advance, which is what we did. Book with Lombok Adventure.
Plan to arrive between 4 and 7 p.m. Sunset typically peaks between 5 and 6 p.m., which typically coincides with buffalo outing.
Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant is located right on the sand and is the best option for a sit-down dinner while watching the sunset. Local warungs along the beach serve more casual fare and have sun loungers for hire.
