Last Updated: January 13, 2022
Best Waterfalls in Bali
The Indonesian island of Bali is a paradise worthy of anyone’s travel bucket list. Its lush scenery is defined by iconic rice paddies, wooded volcanic mountains, and surrounding beaches and coral reefs. The island is also home to dozens of waterfalls with their own unique characteristics.
Spread across the island, some are easy to access with foot-friendly paths and steps. Others are off the beaten path and must be explored as hidden gems.
You can plan your visits to the best Bali waterfalls around the tourist towns of Kuta or Seminyak or day trips from the cultural-rich town of Ubud. Some of the most jaw-dropping ones are in North Bali close to Singaraja. Since Bali doesn’t have the most modern infrastructure, it’s best to hire a car with a driver or rent a scooter. Waterfall tours only go to the better-known and beautiful waterfalls.
Air Terjun means waterfall in Balinese, and you may see the words printed on signposts occasionally. Here are 10 of the best Bali waterfalls to see while visiting this stunning island.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tengenungan is a unique waterfall because it’s situated in the village of Ubud instead of the mountains. It’s also the largest by volume. It’s the closest of the waterfalls in Bali to the tourist retreats of Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, and Sanur. This location puts it on the list of waterfall destinations for tours.
Get there by driving from Denpasar to Tegenungan Kemenuh village about 16 km away. You’ll walk down a series of steps for about 15 minutes. Once at the river, the river bank leads to the foot of the falls. Only cross the river from the opposite bank to climb the falls if you are sure of yourself. Take caution when the river is flowing hard after heavy rainfall. The current will be especially strong.
Since the water flow keeps the springs clean and refreshing, locals come here to swim and bathe. The surrounding greenery is dense and there is a beautiful temple to visit nearby.
Aling-Aling Waterfall
If you have no physical limitations and only have time to visit one or two waterfalls, make Aling-Aling one of them. These North Bali waterfalls are located in the Sambangan Village. The rocky outcropping divides the river’s flow into two separate waterfalls each flowing at its own rate.
Lush jungle and a steep cliff make Aling-Aling visually stunning. No swimming is allowed in the waterfall itself because it’s a holy place for the locals. Waterslides, canyoning, and cliff jumping in the Kembar, Pucuk, and Kroya downstream falls are popular sports.
Do it safely by hiring a local guide from the ticket office at the car park. For the best photo opportunities, visit Aling-Aling during the wet season from December to March. The water flow will be at its peak. Canyoning and other sports are best during the dry season from April to November.
Tibumana Waterfall
Tibumana Waterfall is one of the easier best Bali waterfalls to access. It’s only a 16-kilometer drive from Ubud, and the well-marked road leads through scenic rice fields. It’s much less crowded than Tegenungen and you’ll find plenty of car and motorbike parking.
Don’t expect the water to be a brilliant blue. Most of the waterfalls in the south and east regions of Bali are murky, especially during the wet season. Some Instagram photographers use filters or photoshop to make it appear blue.
Tibumana Waterfall has grown in popularity recently thanks to the efforts of locals from the village in the Susut Bangli district to improve conditions and attract more tourists. The concrete stairs down into the gorge have been upgraded for ease and safety. The waterfall is now one of the destinations on the Best Waterfalls Near Seminyak Tour.
Gitgit Waterfall
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Gitgit is another waterfall that is easy to reach by road and is one of the most popular in Bali. It’s located in Northern Bali in the port town of Singaraja about 75 km from Seminyak. The 35-meter high waterfall is surrounded by lush jungle populated with a troop of monkeys. Look for them in the trees or drinking water downstream.
The walk to these Bali waterfalls isn’t difficult and takes only about 15 minutes from the car park. Because of its accessibility and popularity, you’ll find refreshment stops and arts and crafts shops along the pathway. You can hire a local guide to take you to the valley floor and the base of this beautiful waterfall.
The best time to visit is November to February during the highest rainfall. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
The Banyumala Twin Waterfalls are another small set of waterfalls in Bali. They are situated in Wanagiri of North Bali and are 35 meters (114 ft) tall.
This twin waterfall is a bit of a hidden waterfall, as they are in a developed area only 10 minutes walk from a parking lot. While the cascades aren’t the highest, they are approximately 35 meters (114 feet) tall
Sekumpul Waterfall
Located in the same region as Gitgit and Aling-Aling, the Sekumpul Waterfall is harder to get to, but the sheer beauty of the falls makes it worth the journey. It actually consists of seven separate falls reaching different heights spilling varying amounts of water.
The cascading falls are located in the village of Sekumpul about 76 km from Seminyak and 66 km north of Ubud. Once at the car park, it’s a 45-minute hike to the falls.
Because of the tough trek, you may want to hire a guide to get close-up views, but the Sekumpul Waterfall is often best viewed from a distance to appreciate the beauty in its entirety. If you do decide to get closer, be sure to wear good shoes. The path is steep and the rocks can be slippery.
Nungnung Waterfall
The Nungnung waterfall is located in a small remote village 900 meters above sea level. The car park is about 35 km from Ubud and 47 km from Seminyak. The drive out is scenic and filled with lush rice paddies and lovely plantations. From the car park, you’ll descend down 509 steps to the bottom. You’ll hear the thunderous roar of the 50-meter high, breathtaking waterfall before you see it.
Once at the bottom, you’ll have breathtaking views of the water cascading into the pool below. One of the tallest waterfalls in Bali, it’s not as touristy as Tegenungan or Gitgit. It’s a little more difficult to get to but worth the trek if you are adventurous.
Leke Leke Waterfall
The Leke Leke Waterfall is located in the Tabanan Regency about a one-hour ride north of the cities of Ubud and Canggu. The trip to Leke Leke can be combined to see other attractions in the Bedugul area such as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a Hindu Shaivite temple, and the Secret Garden Village.
On the drive out, you’ll pass by a combination of busy streets and desolate roads with views of rice fields. Once there, the waterfall is a picturesque 15-minute walk on a well-maintained path that crosses bamboo bridges over the river.
Of all the waterfalls in Bali, these are surprisingly impressive. With a narrow stream of water that cascades into a small, shallow pool of blue water. For a fee, you can experience the view from a rope chair swing installed between two huge trees.
Peguyangan Waterfall
The Peguyangan Waterfall is located on the island of Nusa Penida. It’s a bit hard to find, and even some of the locals don’t know how to get to the waterfall. It’s best to hire a car and driver or arrange a tour from a local operator on the island. It’s not a giant waterfall with thundering water, but it’s fun to bathe in the little pools that overlook the ocean as the fast-flowing water ripples around you.
The group of short fountains falls over steep ravines on the way to the ocean. To get there, you’ll descend down a narrow staircase with 460 steps against the side of the ravine. This hidden gem is best experienced by the physically fit.
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Kanto Lampo waterfall is a small but impressive waterfall in the village of Beng in the Gianyar regency. According to local legend, it only started flowing after a prayer ceremony in 2015. The legend has been a boom for tourism. The waterfall has multi-tiered cascades that flow over a series of boulders.
The concrete stairs leading down into the gorge are only 100 meters from the roadside entrance. Take care navigating the last 20 meters as you will have to pass over some very slippery rocks. Local guides are available to assist you.
Access to this waterfall is seasonal and may be closed off during the rainy season or after heavy rainfall when the volume of water in the gorge is too high.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Tukad Cepung is one of the most unique waterfalls in Bali. Rather than formed by water flowing into streams or rivers, the water runs down cliffs. The waterfall was a true hidden gem and didn’t get many visitors until 2016. Even many of the locals were unaware of it.
The way the rays of the sunshine down through the top of the cliff onto the cascading water has given rise to Instagram photographers and increased tourism. Be prepared for a queue during that magical hour as people wait their turn for a photo.
An easy, jungle-like trail leads to the Waterfall. The trail takes about 15 minutes and is family-friendly.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
