Situated in southwest Sumbawa and slightly inland, Taliwang, a town and district, is a gateway to the fabulous scenery of West Sumbawa. It is a place of remote beaches, turquoise waters, and lush forests.
The main reason for visiting Taliwang is the surf. Sekongkang is just to the south and has some of Indonesia’s best waves. Beaches line the coast from Taliwang right down to Sekongkang and even if you’re not into surfing, there are some striking, remote beaches to seek out.
The town of Taliwang itself has grown much of late due to the development of mines in the area. There are plenty of hotels and shops as well as money services and eateries. History types will find some interest culturally and archaeologically in the area, while Balat Beach is one of the closest and has accommodation.
Getting There & Away
Sumbawa Besar is the entry point for Taliwang for those who prefer to fly. Flights come in from Denpasar in Bali and Mataram in Lombok within the hour. Both these airports have connections with Jakarta. It’s a several-hour bus ride to Taliwang from Sumbawa Besar. Boats land at Port Tano on the west coast from Lombok and you can get all the way here by bus/ferry combination from Bali. Taliwang is an hour south of Port Tano by bus.
Things to Do
Taliwang Attractions
- Balat Beach
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Just west of taliwang, this beach is not as good as other surfing beaches farther south, but is good for bathing and has digs.
Side trips from Taliwang
- Sekongkang Beach
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This renowned beach is just southwest of taliwang and has some of the best breaks in indonesia.
Events
- Surf competitions
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There are various surf events in and around taliwang regency in season, with alternating dates.