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5 REASONS TO VISIT JEEVA BELOAM BEACH CAMP

Julette Alon
Apr 15, 2016
6 min read

Nestled between the Tanjung Ringgit forest reserve and the private Pantai Beloam cove is the wonderfully remote Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp that is at the apex of affordable, eco-luxurious accommodations. It is 90 minutes away from Lombok International Airport and getting there was part of the fun as we weaved through the beautiful countryside of Lombok, its idyllic villages and some of the roughest unfinished roads on this South Eastern side of the island.

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Two years ago, I read about this secluded beach camp that reached a mythical status across the travel community – everyone raved about it and it hasn’t succumbed to massive commercialism. This “Soul of Beloam” is now one of my all-time favorite accommodations and is a destination in itself.

There are a thousand reasons why everyone should book a stay here STAT, but that would just be aimless gushing, so here are the top five reasons to visit this camp aka my declaration of love for this piece of heaven on earth:

1. IT’S OFF THE GRID

When I mean it’s tech-free, there is no WIFI or mobile signal AT ALL. The 55-hectare protected forest and towering cliffs surrounding it probably help in keeping those electromagnetic waves away from this pristine paradise. Say goodbye to pesky emails and unwanted social media updates and say hello to absolute serenity, punctuated only by the crash of the waves from the Timor Sea unto the shores of Pantai Beloam and the sporadic humming of birds and grasshoppers.

Can you hear that? That's the sound of BLISS! ;-)

Due to its remote location, electricity is only provided at specific times, mostly during the night so us city folks can luxuriate in our air-conditioned Berugas (bungalows) from 6PM to 6AM. Beyond that time, the bungalows are naturally air-cooled with breezes coming in from the forest and the sea. The last point where electricity is provided 24/7 is Sekaroh Village, 11 kilometers away from the camp.

Don’t expect a TV – the point of digital detox is to eliminate all sources that distract us from the wonderful scenery around and the various activities that nature has to offer. Who needs to watch another TV series when Pantai Pink is calling us to come and snorkel its clear, blue waters? Who needs to passively scroll through Facebook when there’s a forest that’s begging for us to explore it? The point is – go outdoors, explore and commune with nature.

2. ITS IMPECCABLE SERVICE FOLLOWS THE MOTTO, “PATUH KARYAH”

The WOW experience started when I stepped out of the vehicle that picked me up from the airport. One of its friendly staff greeted me by name and led me to the intricately-designed wooden house that served as the main reception area. The paths were laid out like a Japanese Zen garden: not a pebble in disarray nor a stray leaf littering the meticulously-swept sand. A jar of water with a coconut-shell scoop greeted me at the steps. Everyone was barefoot. When in Beloam, do as the locals do.

Wooden pathway linking reception and the open-air, communal dining concept restaurant, Tendas

Checking in was easy, with a quick intro to the power schedule and the included activities … Did I mention that your room rate comes with full-board meals – except drinks – and four activities for the duration of your stay? Oh, I didn’t? Yep, you can feast on the day’s freshest produce that are sourced locally and snorkel, trek and cycle to your heart’s content when lazy days on the white-sand beach aren't doing it for you anymore (seriously, what’s wrong with you?!).

I had arrived earlier than schedule so my room wasn’t ready yet, but the fresh watermelon cooler and free snacks more than made up for the “delay” … which was a grand total of 10 minutes. I haven’t even taken enough selfies yet of the view from Tendas, the camp’s elevated open-air restaurant that provides a communal dining experience and unfettered views of the Alas Strait’s calming azure waters.

My local host, the cheerful and sprightly Hari, carried my small backpack and led me to my private beachfront Beruga – bungalow number four or “Empat” in the Sasak language commonly spoken in Lombok. Each villa is assigned a host who will be your partner for all activities during your stay. Hari spoiled me rotten: he acted as my (a) human alarm clock – patiently saying good morning on my terrace until the sound of his voice stirred me from my restful sleep, (b) climbing partner – who steadfastly held my hand when pointy rocks, unstable cliff sides and slippery corals threatened to outbalance me, (c) personal photographer who patiently took amazing selfies and didn’t flinch when I asked for more pictures - in more flattering angles ;-), (d) chief cheerleader who rah-rah’d for me while I huffed and puffed up the hill and climbed the beach rocks unglamorously on all fours, (e) flip-flop fixer who willingly repaired my slippers every time the strap came off, and (f) dedicated driver who took me to the edge of Tanjung Ringgit and Pantai Pink early in the morning.

My lovely host, Hari!

Pantai Pink and its colorful sand, fronting the second highest volcano in Indonesia, Gunung Rinjani

During low tide, strange & colorful corals emerge from the water - no snorkeling needed!

Whirling tides against the multi-colored sands of Beloam Beach

At Tanjung Rinngit: the last cliff in the Lombok peninsula

Every staff member wears several hats – they can be the adventure host during the day, driver in the afternoon and the Sasak singer at night. This multitasking attitude and their 1:1 partnership with guests are a wonderful testament to their service motto, “Patuh Karyah” (let’s work together). Everyone does their fair share of the load and the various roles they play ensure that the camp maintains a private and intimate feel to it.

3. IT’S THE EPITOME OF RUSTIC LUXE

If Jeeva Beloam’s remoteness is not enough rustic-ness for you, then wait till you set foot in the actual camp. I had my initial doubts when I read “camp,” conjuring up images of squalid tents and less than favorable amenities. Of course, the Sasak architecture-inspired Berugas are anything but squalid. The facilities are impeccably maintained. Everything looked straight out of an interior design coffee table book – castaway island edition. The bungalows are minimally furnished yet beautifully simple.

Pantai Beruga #4 or "Empat"

Wood-dominated interiors, in the Sasak style

Being hugged by the forest on three sides, the Berugas take full advantage of the natural lighting and the incredibly fresh air. The open-air bathroom, with its pebbled shower nook, played host to some moths and a bug-eyed (pun intended) gecko that camouflaged itself on the bamboo walls, which thankfully left me to my own devices. A bee kept trying to penetrate the protective screen – to no avail, and a family of harmless monkeys was playing below the wash area. The King-sized bed, draped with a white mosquito net, provided the ultimate vantage point for the turquoise waters, 250 meters of white-hot sand, and rocky cliffs that greeted me at sunrise and sunset. I had quite an amazing time just rolling around on that bed while the beauty of nature unfolded before my eyes!

Day and night, the views from inside the Berugas are BREATHTAKING! :)

The roomy front terrace has a daybed that was just perfect for my afternoon siesta sessions and the low wooden steps opened up to my own beach path lined with wildflowers and jumping grasshoppers. At night, I feel asleep to the sound of the waves and a thousand crickets. To feel at ease here, one must have a certain level of tolerance, appreciation and respect for nature.

4. IT’S A BUSINESS WITH A HEART

The camp respects its surrounding and the ecology that sustains it. It pulsates with green energy: solar panels are used to generate power and provide hot water to every bungalow. Food are all locally sourced: fishermen from around the area provide the day’s bounty from the sea – whatever they catch for the day influences tomorrow’s menu, village market vendors benefit from the vegetables and fruits that the camp buys daily, and poultry owners take care of the eggs and chicken meat demand.

Even the bungalows and the rest of the buildings within Jeeva Beloam are built with the least disruption to the flora and fauna that surround them. The area is, after all, a protected forest reserve that the Indonesian government leased to the owners so the land is treated with utmost respect. The shoreline is cleaned up everyday by the staff: various flotsam and jetsam float in from the ocean and settle on the sands, but never for long as they take this responsibility very seriously. Each of the Berugas are made from recycled wood and bamboo, held together by native twine. The thatched roof is made from alang-alang leaves – native grass that grow around the region – and styled with high, triangular ceilings distinctive of the Sasak architectural style. It’s refreshing to stay in a place that gives back to the community and respects the environment around it wholeheartedly.

5. IT’S SIMPLY STUNNING

Pictures paint a thousand words so I end this post with more dazzling captures of the beach camp. There’s nothing left to say except that it was truly a sublime “get away from it all” experience.