The best Bali waterfalls for nature lovers

Chasing Bali’s best waterfalls is a heady mix of jungle treks, temple-framed cascades and misty cliffside plunges. 

From a thunderous roar to a hidden, serene shower, Bali waterfalls are making a splash. They tumble through dense jungle, carve scars into volcanic rock and pool in cool, swimmable basins.

Some are effortless to reach; others demand steep descents, river crossings and a sense of adventure. Many are woven into local spiritual life, used for purification rituals and temple ceremonies, adding a quiet reverence to the experience.

Bali waterfalls offer a deeper lens on the island’s raw beauty.  This is our comprehensive guide to the best waterfalls in Bali for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Tegenungun Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud, Bali — Tegenungan Waterfall drops 15 metres into the pool below. (Credit: Getty/Leamus)

Set in lush jungle just 30 minutes’ drive from Ubud, Tegenungun Waterfall – known locally as Blangsinga – is one of Bali’s most accessible cascades. Use either name and drivers will know where to go.

The roughly 15-metre drop, fed by the Petanu River, pours out over a jagged rock outcrop to plunge powerfully into the shallow, churning pool below.

There are two vantage points: take in the view from above or descend the hundred-odd steps, via a structured staircase with rails, to the base to swim. Be aware the falls can cause strong currents. Standing directly beneath them is more likely to elicit giggles and gasps than a serene shower.

Ideal for first timers, the site is well set up with cafes, changerooms and toilets. It’s popular, so arrive early to beat the crowds, or pair it with nearby sights like the Tegallalang Rice Terraces to make a day of it.

Tibumana Waterfall

A wide silken ribbon of water pours over the cliff, its alabaster glow is striking against the lush, green rock walls. One of Bali’s most iconic falls, Tibumana drops a vertiginous 20 metres into a calm, swimmable pool.

A manicured path winds through dense vegetation to the base. Coconut palms fan towards dappled light and charming bridges decorate the trail. It’s like tiptoeing through a tropical fairytale.

Amenities include changerooms and lockers, and while the pool is inviting, its clarity shifts with recent rain.

From Ubud, it’s a 40-minute drive; from Seminyak or Canggu, allow 1.5–2 hours. Hire a private driver or use Grab or Gojek from Ubud – but ask them to wait, as pickups can be restricted.

Gitgit Waterfall

The sound reaches you first – a distant rush that builds to a steady thunder as you move deeper into the jungle. One of Bali’s most accessible falls, Gitgit drops around 35 metres in a powerful white veil, framed by dense, dripping greenery.

A well-trodden path leads you past spice stalls, tangled vines and the occasional flash of bright tropical blooms. The air turns cooler as you descend, heavy with mist and the scent of wet earth.

At the base, the pool shifts and swirls; swimming is possible in calmer pockets, though currents can be strong after rain. Come early to catch it in relative quiet before the crowds filter in.

Banyumala Twin Waterfall

A pair of 30 metre high waterfalls race down the cliff face like jubilant lovers. Flanked by smaller cascades, it creates a veil of water. It’s wildly scenic and delivers a glimpse of Bali’s untamed heart.

The falls are a two-hour drive north of Ubud and best taken with a private driver. The final turn off is rough and slow-going. The bonus? You might have it to yourself.

From the ticket office it’s a steep 10-minute descent. The last stretch gets slippery. The pool is icy – a breath-stealer if the walk hasn’t already done the job.

A picture-perfect bamboo bridge spans the base. For the hero shot, stand on the small red bridge just behind it.

Aling Aling Waterfall

Forget Waterbomb Park and head to this natural playground instead. If you’re chasing an adrenaline hit – or just want to watch one –  this is where you’ll find it.

The trail winds through the Secret Garden of Sambangan, a cluster of four cascades set deep in the jungle. Thrill-seekers come to jump, flip and slide into the cool pools below. Guides are mandatory – and sensible – if you want to take part.

If you’re just here to hike and take it all in, you can easily explore on your own. Avoid the hagglers at the entry suggesting you need a guide for this.

Kroya Waterfall has a 12 metre smooth stone waterslide that shoots you into the pool below. Kembar, a twin fall, ups the ante with an eyewatering 10 metre jump, while Pucuk is a “woot-woot" drop of around 15 metres, reached via a knee-deep wade across a slippery river bed.

The waterfalls are only a few minutes’ walk apart and you’ll need a moderate level of fitness. The puffiest part is the total of 400 paved steps down (and back up). Aling-Aling itself is considered sacred, so swimming there isn’t permitted. The entry fee covers all four waterfalls.

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Nungnung Waterfall

Fire up your calf muscles. Around 500 steep steps lead to the base – and back up again. Set in Bali’s highlands, just over an hour from Ubud, this powerful force of nature barrels into the pool below with an epic roar.

At the base, massive rocks gleam slick with spray, as though a jungle giant has hurled them from the cliffs above. The ground is slippery underfoot, so wear shoes with grip and take your time.

The sheer force of the falls makes swimming difficult, but the mist will drench and cool you in seconds.

Temesi Waterfall

Skip the crowds at this little-known waterfall, a hidden gem just 30 minutes’ drive outside Ubud. Steeped in local culture and spirituality, the falls and surrounding pools are known by villagers as the “fairy baths."

Approaching the waterfall is like stepping into an enchanted forest. A misty spray licks your skin as jungle vines drape tendrils softly toward the earth. It’s easy to see why villagers believe five angels reside here. There’s a tangible, gentle spirituality that lingers in the air.

Temesi Waterfall only opened to visitors in 2024 and is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. 

Practical Tips

Visit at the tail end of the rainy season for the most dramatic flows: water is plentiful and powerful and the jungle gleams with rain-kissed shine.

Bring swimmers, a towel or sarong and grippy shoes. Pack mosquito repellent and small Indonesian rupiah notes for entry fees, donations and simple drinks or souvenirs.

The entry fee for most Bali waterfalls costs between A$2-A$3 per adult.

Most Bali waterfalls aren’t wheelchair accessible, though some have flat viewing points.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.