Lombok's Kuta doesn't have the buzz and millions of tourists of Bali's, but there are big plans to develop a large stretch of the south coast with luxury hotels, so it's probably better to visit now rather than later. Still, outside of the main tourist season in August, Kuta is quiet and very laid back. Pantai Segar is around 2km east of Kuta, and if you climb the enormous rock you'll be rewarded with great views of the surrounding countryside, especially in the early morning. There's fantastic surfing, especially at Gerupak, about 7km east of town, and you can get there by local fishing boat.
A beautiful sandy bay, Selong Blanak, lies to the west, and the road is sealed all the way. There's plenty of surfing there in the right conditions, as well as at Mawan, Tampa and Mawi along the way. Further west the road winds through forested hills, with stunning ocean views at Pengantap.