Key Takeaways
- Boards and equipment are provided: Do not bring your own surfboard unless you are already advanced and have a specific preference.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is non-negotiable: Standard sunscreen is banned at most Lombok surf spots. Buy before you travel — options in Kuta are limited.
- Pack light: You will wear the same 3 to 4 outfits all week. Everything else is unnecessary weight.
- Recovery items matter: Magnesium supplements, a good muscle rub, and flip-flops that can handle rough terrain will serve you more than extra clothes.
Surf Gear: What Is Provided vs What to Bring
First, the good news: at Nuna Surf Camp, boards and basic surf equipment are provided for all sessions. You do not need to bring — or rent separately — anything to get in the water.
Provided by the camp: Surfboards appropriate for your level and daily conditions, leashes, and safety briefings before every session. The coaches choose the right board for you — especially important for beginners, where board size significantly affects how quickly you progress.
What you should bring for surf sessions:
- Reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based) — This is the single most important item on this list. Standard chemical sunscreen is harmful to coral reefs and is restricted or banned at most responsible surf spots in Lombok. Bring at least two bottles from home — mineral-based options are hard to find locally and more expensive when available. Apply before every session and reapply if you are out for more than 90 minutes.
- Rash guard or lycra top — Protects against board rash, UV exposure, and the subtle friction that builds up over repeated sessions. Long-sleeve options give the best sun coverage. Bring 2 to 3 so you always have a dry one available.
- Swimwear (3 to 4 sets) — Enough to rotate through a week of twice-daily sessions with drying time. Boardshorts or bikinis depending on preference. Nothing that will come undone in the water.
- Ear plugs (surfer’s ear plugs) — Optional but genuinely useful, especially for cold mornings or anyone prone to ear infections from saltwater. Not essential for a short camp stay, but worth having.
Recovery and Health: The Items Most People Forget
Surfing is more physically demanding than most people expect before their first camp. Paddling loads your shoulders, back, and core in ways that gym training does not replicate. Recovery items are not extras — they make a genuine difference to how you feel and perform across the week.
- Magnesium supplement or spray — Helps reduce muscle soreness and cramps, especially in the shoulders and calves. Nuna builds ice bath and magnesium chloride recovery into the weekly schedule, but a personal magnesium supplement for the evenings is worth bringing.
- Muscle relief cream or balm — Days 2 and 3 are when paddle soreness peaks. A good muscle rub (Tiger Balm, Arnica gel, or equivalent) used before sleep speeds up recovery noticeably.
- Electrolyte sachets or tablets — Saltwater and tropical heat deplete electrolytes faster than normal exercise. Adding electrolytes to your water bottle each morning is a simple habit that improves energy across the week.
- Basic first aid: antiseptic and plasters — Minor cuts and scrapes from reef or board contact are normal. Bring a small tube of antiseptic cream and some waterproof plasters. Nothing elaborate — just enough to handle small wounds cleanly without having to find a pharmacy mid-week.
- Prescription medication and personal pharmacy — Antihistamines, stomach medication, and any prescriptions. Kuta Lombok has pharmacies but availability varies. Bring what you know you might need.
Clothes and Everyday Items: Pack Light
A surf camp week has a simple rhythm: surf, shower, eat, rest, repeat. You do not need much variety in clothing. Most guests wear the same few outfits all week and feel completely fine about it.
What to bring for off-water time:
- 3 to 4 casual outfits — T-shirts, light shorts or linen trousers. Kuta Lombok is warm year-round. Nothing needs ironing.
- One light layer for evenings — A cotton hoodie or light jacket is enough. Evenings can cool down slightly, especially in the dry season.
- Flip-flops that can handle uneven terrain — Kuta has some rough roads and paths. Quality sandals (not paper-thin ones) make walking much more comfortable.
- One pair of closed shoes or trainers — For the cultural trip or longer walks. Optional but useful.
- Yoga mat (optional) — Nuna runs yoga sessions as part of the recovery schedule. The camp likely has mats available, but if you have a strong preference for your own, a lightweight travel mat is easy to pack.
- Microfibre towel — Dries faster than a standard towel and takes up far less bag space. Especially useful between sessions when you need to dry off quickly.
What to Leave at Home
Overpacking for a surf camp is a genuinely common mistake. Here is what you can confidently leave behind.
- Your own surfboard — Unless you are an experienced surfer with a specific board preference, bringing your own board creates baggage hassle and airline fees for no real benefit. The camp provides boards.
- Formal or smart clothing — There is no occasion for it. Kuta Lombok is casual. The nicest dinner spots in town are still flip-flops appropriate.
- Heavy toiletries — Pack travel-size everything. Full-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash take up space you do not need. Accommodation at Nuna has hot showers — basics are all you need.
- Too many books or entertainment — You will be tired. The rhythm of a surf camp week does not leave a lot of mental bandwidth for heavy reading or complex entertainment. Simple, easy content is enough.
- Standard chemical sunscreen — Not because you should leave behind sun protection, but because you should replace it with reef-safe mineral sunscreen before you go. Leaving your old sunscreen at home is the right move.
Have questions about what to prepare before arriving at Nuna Surf Camp? The team is available on WhatsApp and can answer anything not covered here — from what to buy locally to what the accommodation provides. Send a message here.
Surf Camp: Surf Camp | Rooms: Rooms | WhatsApp: Chat with Nuna Surf Camp (+62 822-3658-9725)