Eel Fishing Tetebatu Lombok Style! 🇮🇩 | Traditional Bare-Handed Catching Method

Discover the Art of Eel Fishing in Tetebatu, Lombok 🇮🇩

Traditional Bare-Handed Catching Method | A Half-Day Cultural Tour by Lombok Heritage

Tucked at the foothills of Mount Rinjani, Tetebatu Village is one of Lombok's most treasured rural gems. While most visitors come for the scenic rice terraces, fresh mountain air, and monkey forests, there’s a unique local tradition that few outsiders get to witness: bare-handed eel fishing in the muddy rice fields.

This isn't just an activity — it's a way of life passed down through generations. It’s the kind of cultural experience you won’t find on your average island-hopping tour. Ready to roll up your sleeves and plunge into an authentic Sasak heritage activity?

Welcome to “Eel Fishing Tetebatu Style!” — brought to you exclusively by Lombok Heritage, your eco-cultural travel brand specializing in off-the-beaten-path experiences on Lombok Island.

Why Eel Fishing? 🐍 (It’s Not a Snake!)

In Sasak culture, eels — known locally as “nila bunut” — are considered both a delicacy and a symbol of perseverance. These slippery creatures thrive in the irrigation canals (called “pengaliran sawah”) that crisscross Tetebatu’s emerald rice paddies. Catching them bare-handed, with unique local small hook without traps, is a test of patience, technique, and pure instinct.

For local families, eel fishing isn't just food gathering — it’s a communal ritual, a bonding experience, and a way to stay connected with nature. Now, you can be part of it — guided by friendly villagers who are eager to share their skills and stories.

What to Expect: Half-Day Eel Fishing Tour in Tetebatu

• 🕗 Tour Duration: 4–5 Hours

• Time Options: Morning (8:00 AM – 12:30 PM) or Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:30 PM)

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate (expect to get wet and muddy!)

• Ideal For: Nature lovers, culture seekers, families, and adventure travelers

✅ Tour Highlights:

• Guided walk through Tetebatu’s scenic rice terraces

• Learn about traditional irrigation & farming

• Join locals in their age-old eel catching method

• Bare-handed eel fishing in mud canals

• Farm-fresh coconut or herbal tea break

• Local-style lunch or early dinner (optional)

• Authentic photo opportunities with farmers

• Chance to cook and taste the eels you catch (optional)

🌾 Detailed Itinerary: Half-Day Eel Fishing Adventure

1. Village Welcome & Orientation (30 minutes)

Your experience starts at the Lombok Heritage meeting point in central Tetebatu village. After a warm welcome by our local guide (usually a Tetebatu native), we’ll give a short briefing about the tradition, safety, and the sustainable values behind eel fishing.

Enjoy a welcome drink – either herbal tea from local lemongrass or fresh coconut from the garden – while getting to know your guide and fellow travelers.

Insider Tip: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a change of clothes. Rubber sandals or water shoes are highly recommended!

2. Rice Field Trek & Eco Farming Insight (45 minutes)

Walk through verdant rice paddies, banana groves, and bamboo-lined paths as your guide explains the local subak-style irrigation system, crop rotations, and the seasonal life of Tetebatu’s farmers. This part of the tour offers stunning photo ops and a gentle warm-up before the real adventure begins.

3. Hands-On Eel Fishing Experience (1.5–2 hours)

Now the fun begins!

You’ll be led to a canal section where eels are known to hide in the mud during the heat of the day. Local farmers will demonstrate the method, then it’s your turn to jump in!

Here’s how it works:

• Feel with your feet and hands along the muddy banks

• Eels tend to hide near water plants and slippery stones

• Snag them quickly — they’re fast!

• Work as a team or go solo — either way, it’s full of laughter, friendly competition, and a connection to local wisdom

• Most guests catch at least 1–2 eels with guidance. Whether you catch one or not, the memories (and the mud on your clothes) are priceless!

4. Freshen Up & Local Snacks (30 minutes)

After washing up at a nearby natural spring or rest area, relax under a thatched hut (berugak) and enjoy a plate of local rice cakes, seasonal fruits, or boiled cassava served with sweet coconut sugar sauce.

5. Optional: Cooking & Tasting (45–60 minutes)

Want to cook your catch? Join a short optional cooking session where a local host will grill or fry your eels with traditional Lombok spices like turmeric, chili, shallots, and kemangi leaves.

Vegetarian? No problem. We’ll whip up sambal terong (spicy eggplant) or urap (steamed greens with coconut) so you can still enjoy the culinary experience.

👣 Why Choose Lombok Heritage?

At Lombok Heritage, we believe travel should be immersive, educational, and sustainable. Our eel fishing tour is:

• 🧑‍🌾 Led by Local Farmers: Real people, real stories, real impact

• 🌿 Eco-Friendly: No equipment, no pollution — just you and nature

• 💡 Culturally Respectful: A chance to learn, not to exploit

• 📷 Photogenic & Raw: From rice fields to muddy splashes — it’s all real

We donate part of our proceeds to support community irrigation repair programs and organic seed-sharing networks in East Lombok.

📌 What to Bring

• Extra clothes and towel

• Waterproof sandals or water shoes

• Hat and sunscreen

• GoPro or waterproof camera (optional)

• A good sense of humor!

🛒 Book Your Experience

• 🎟️ Price: IDR 550,000 per person (min 2 pax)

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Private or group options available

• 📍 Departure Point: Tetebatu Village, East Lombok

• 📆 Available: Every day with 24h prior booking

• 🌐 Book online: www.tetebatutour.com

• 📞 WhatsApp: Click Here

❤️ Reviews From Travelers

“The most unexpected highlight of my Lombok trip! Who knew eel fishing could be so much fun — and so muddy! Thank you Lombok Heritage!”

🌏 Support Sustainable Travel in Lombok

By joining this tour, you're supporting a rural economy and helping preserve a cultural tradition that’s slowly disappearing due to modernization. Let your travel leave a positive footprint — one muddy step at a time.

“Eel Fishing Tetebatu Style” isn’t for everyone — but for those who dare, it’s the kind of story you'll retell for years. Whether you catch a wriggly prize or just soak up the local life, you'll leave with mud on your feet and joy in your heart.

So why not trade your beach towel for a rice paddy today?

👉 Join the experience. Make memories. Get muddy.

Book now

Copyright © 2025 Lombok Heritage – TetebatuTour.com

All content, images, and tour descriptions are protected under copyright. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.