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 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

This 20-metre-high cascade is surrounded by lush vegetation. (Credit: Getty/Konstantin Andreev)

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

Surrounded by a forested cliff, Gitgit Waterfall sits in the cooler mountain highlands of North Bali. (Credit: Getty/Febriana Suwarningsih)

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

The curtain-like Banyumala Twin Waterfall trickles down a lush, mossy cliffside into a crystal-clear plunge pool. (Credit: Getty/Cn0ra)

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

Aling-Aling Waterfall splits into two streams down a sheer cliffside. (Credit: Getty/Tyler Holtman)

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.

Nungnung Waterfall

This massive cascade near Ubud creates an intense cloud of mountain mist. (Credit: Getty/Matthias Bellido)

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.