The best waterfalls in Bali are hidden treasures that you can find in lush rainforests and deep mountain valleys in the island’s central highlands. They’re among the great sites to add to your list of adventurous things to do in Bali. Most are at the end of scenic routes, usually requiring treks past rambling creeks, and you may sometimes need to cross wooden bridges and descend a series of rocky steps.

Upon discovery, these popular Bali waterfalls reward you with immersive experiences. You can take a dip in the pebbly pools under cascading falls for a soothing break. Some of Bali’s best waterfalls let you take in their magnificent views from down at their surrounding base or from above adjacent hilltops.

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    Banyumala Twin Waterfalls

    Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
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    The Banyumala Twin Waterfalls are in the green valleys of the Wanagiri village in Buleleng, North Bali, and require quite a trek to get to. Pathways down to the falls have been constructed over the years to make things a little easier, with steps carved out of the hard soil and with bamboo railings and ladders in some areas along the route.

    Called Air Terjun Tirta Kuning (or ‘Yellow Water Falls’) by locals, Banyumala is a gentle waterfall with steady streams running down its rock face, and two other smaller ones trickling down to its side. At its base is a very clear and shallow pool, which is good for a soak, but not really for a swim.

    Location: Jalan Tirta Kuning, Wanagiri, Sukasada, Buleleng, Bali 81161, Indonesia

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    photo by Made agus devayana (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

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    The Gitgit waterfall is probably Bali’s most popular, which you can reach on a relatively easy trek via a wooden boardwalk that passes over a small gorge and cool streams. The trek is part of the overall experience as you enter a soothing rainforest accompanied by the sounds of nature and rushing water.

    The falls are a 10-km drive south of North Bali’s main town of Singaraja or an 80-km drive north from Kuta in south Bali. The waterfall is accessible from the main road connecting Bedugul and Singaraja. The 40-metre-tall cascade constantly pours into a rocky pool with a small shrine that ‘guards’ the site. You can enjoy a cool plunge in the rocky pool, and its water flows all year round.

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    Location: Jalan Raya Bedugul-Singaraja, Gitgit, Sukasada, Buleleng, Bali 81161, Indonesia

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    Goa Rang Reng

    Goa Rang Reng
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    Goa Rang Reng Waterfall is one in a few falls you can find around the regency of Gianyar. These seasonal falls are much more impressive for their width than their height, with the cascades dribbling over a series of rocky steps. The combination of green mossy stones and flowing water, all surrounded by shrubbery, result in a soothing sight.

    Many local kids love to play on the falls’ edges or in the surrounding pools. With goa meaning ‘cave’, the name is taken from the cave that you can find to the left of the falls. It contains a water source where local Balinese Hindus obtain their holy water. It’s regarded as a holy site, often used for purification rituals, so it’s best to act appropriately.

    Location: Jalan Gunung Agung, Bakbakan, Gianyar, Bali 80515, Indonesia

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    Kanto Lampo Waterfall

    Kanto Lampo Waterfall
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    The small but scenic Kanto Lampo Waterfall features multi-tiered cascades that flow down a series of stepping boulders. The waterfall is seasonal and is best visited during the rainy season, when the water volume is high and a shallow wading pool forms at its base.

    You can find the falls in the village of Beng, in the Gianyar regency. There’s an information office on-site where you can get local tips on the best angles for photos. One of the great things about Kanto Lampo falls is its accessibility – it’s only 100 metres from the roadside entrance.

    Location: Jalan Gunung Merbabu, Beng, Gianyar, Bali 80581, Indonesia

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    photo by Lamacchiacosta (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

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    Melasti Waterfall

    Melasti Waterfall
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    The Melasti Waterfall is a unique coastal feature, which you can find on the namesake Melasti Beach near Tanah Lot Temple on Bali’s far west coast. The mini falls run down a grassy seaside cliff adjacent to the Batu Bolong temple.

    During high tide, the hidden black sand beach and its waterfall are not as accessible, and extra caution must be taken. During low tide, the waterfall can be spectacular, particularly at sunset. The waterfall is seasonal, so it’s best visited during the rainy season.

    Location: Melasti Beach, Tanah Lot, Beraban, Tabanan, Bali 82121, Indonesia

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    photo by Zexsen Xie (CC BY 2.0) modified

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    Dusun Kuning Waterfall

    Dusun Kuning Waterfall
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    About a 6 km drive from the town of Bangli you can reach the village of Taman Bali, which is home to the Dusun Kuning Waterfall. The 25-metre-high falls feed the southward-flowing Melangit River. They’re reachable by a 500-metre walk from the main village street. Upon reaching the falls, you are treated to cool and fresh air with a forested scenery that is home to a horde of timid grey long-tailed macaques.

    Location: Taman Bali, Bangli, Bali 80752, Indonesia

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    The Munduk and Melanting waterfalls are among Bali’s most scenic natural landmarks. Getting to the waterfalls require a scenic trek down a forested path. Getting there is a great part of the whole experience. Lush views of the surrounding nature with occasional wildlife and exotic bird sightings accompany your descent.

    At the base of the Munduk falls, cool mists and the rushing sound of water engulfs your senses. You can head to the rocky pool at the falls’ base for a refreshing dip. The Melanting waterfall is only a short trek north from Munduk, which offers similar features. Try a lush forest trail up from the falls, passing small streams and a bridge. From here, you can catch a beautiful glimpse over the fall’s peak.

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    Location: Jalan Kayu Putih, Munduk, Banjar, Buleleng, Bali 81152, Indonesia

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    Nungnung Waterfall

    Nungnung Waterfall
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    You can find Nungnung Waterfall up in the mountains of central Bali, at around 900 metres above sea level. The drive just to get there is a pleasant part of the experience, with expanses of rice fields and lush plantations accompanying your ride.

    Reaching the falls requires a descent down hundreds of steep steps, with several wooden gazebos where you can stop to catch your breath. After crossing a small bridge, the towering 50-metres-tall falls greet you with rushing water against a dense green valley.

    Location: Plaga, Petang, Badung, Bali 80353, Indonesia

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    photo by Suranegara88 (CC BY 3.0) modified

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    Sekumpul Waterfall is actually a cluster of 6 to 7 narrow cascades in the namesake village of Sekumpul in North Bali. They're a cool centrepiece set among a lush green framing of bamboo forests. Discovering the falls calls for an adventurous hike through the village. The route to get there comprises dirt tracks, a hundred or so steps and some crossings over streams.

    A trek leads you to purpose-built gazebos, from where you can cool down and catch your breath while enjoying the view of the majestic 80-metre-tall fall from a distance. Another forest and village trail leads you down to the rock pool base of the falls. This includes traversing down more steps. Along your journey, you'll enjoy nature sights with a combination of rice paddies, durian, rambutan and coffee plantations.

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    Location: Sekumpul, Lemukih, Sawan, Buleleng, Bali 81171, Indonesia

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    Singsing Waterfall is well tucked away up in the forested hills of the Cempaga village in Banjar, North Bali. It's about 50 km west of the town hub and main beach resort areas of North Bali such as Lovina. To get there, you’ll need to take a 20-minute walk through rural countryside and along a moderate forest trail. Its name roughly translates to ‘daybreak waterfall’.

    Singsing offers a pleasant nature break from the Lovina crowds. Best time to go is during the wet season (October through April) when the waterfall pours into a rocky pool. A narrow trail over the waterfall leads you to a spacious upper creek. Here, you'll find lava stone pools that you can soak in.

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    Location: Jalan Air Terjun Singsing, Tigawasa, Banjar, Buleleng, Bali 81152, Indonesia

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    Tegenungan is one of the nearest large waterfalls that you can visit from Bali’s popular southern resort areas such as Kuta and Sanur. It’s even closer if you’re coming from Ubud. Getting to the falls is a pleasant drive down paved village roads lined with stretches of green rice fields on both sides. The site is also well-facilitated.

    There's ample parking and rows of small local shops selling snacks and souvenirs. The impressively green valley panorama with cascading water serves as a centrepiece. You can take in the views from up close at the vast pebbly base. You can take a dip in the plunge pool most of the time, except during heavy rain when flash floods become a risk.

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    Location: Jalan Ir. Sutami, Kemenuh, Sukawati, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali 80581, Indonesia

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    photo by John Ellis (CC BY 3.0) modified

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    Juwuk Manis Waterfall

    Juwuk Manis Waterfall
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    One of the few waterfalls in the West Bali region, the Juwuk Manis falls are located within a neighbourhood of the same name, in the regency of Jembrana. Getting down to the falls requires a good deal of effort, through curvy hillsides, steep forested cliffs and local coffee plantations. The infrequently trodden trails are also often overgrown. Even so, the prize find is a quaint paradise with a small but soothing cascade and pool.

    Location: Jalan Raya Denpasar-Gilimanuk, Pekutatan, Manggissari, Jembrana, Bali 82262, Indonesia

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    photo by jennifer gergen (CC BY 2.0) modified

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    Yeh Ho Waterfall

    Yeh Ho Waterfall
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    The secluded Yeh Ho Waterfall is located in the lush rice field-laden Penebel village in Tabanan. This area is also home to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, which is why some locals know the falls as the Jatiluwih Waterfalls, though others call it the Giri Kesuma falls.

    Access is via narrow pathways lined with local warung stalls selling cold drinks and snacks. A series of steps leads you down a bamboo-forested route to the falls themselves. Yeh Ho’s cascades aren’t very tall, but it flows quite steadily throughout the year. Lush rainforests surround the site, while boulders surround the falls’ base, making the pool too small for taking a dip.

    Location: Jalan Batu Luwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Penebel, Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia

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    photo by Imacim (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

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    Blahmantung Waterfalls

    Blahmantung Waterfalls
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    With a spectacular drop of about 100 metres, Blahmantung Waterfall in Bali’s Tabanan regency is simply amazing, particularly during the rainy season. Do be prepared for a bit of a trek to get there, though – it’s about 1 km of steep track, which can be rough at times. A bonus highlight on your way there is the region’s lush terraced rice fields, near the village of Antosari.

    You can actually see 3 falls at Blahmantung. The first is 50 metres tall, located near a shrine. Some 100 metres away, along a river, is the second fall, at a slightly lower height. The third is a bit obscured, past a bridge and opposite an irrigational dam. The remote location means the falls get relatively few visitors, so this is a good spot to have a peaceful, personal experience.

    Location: Pujungan, Pupuan, Tabanan, Bali 82163, Indonesia

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    photo by Philip Kendall (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    Tukad Cepung Waterfall

    Tukad Cepung Waterfall
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    The Tukad Cepung Waterfall is hidden behind an exotic cavern at the end of a few hundred steps down a hillside. The sight of the falls pouring down through the crag, with rays of sunlight shining through the canopy, is magical. Come midday, and you often have rainbows in the mist as part of your view.

    Getting to the waterfall in the Dusun Penida Kelod hamlet in the Bangli regency after heavy rains is not recommended, since water levels can get really high, making it difficult and rather hazardous to access.

    Location: Jalan Tembuku, Dusun Penida Kelod, Tembuku, Bangli, Bali 80671, Indonesia

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    photo by laurent houmeau (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    Aling-Aling Waterfall

    Aling-Aling Waterfall
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    The cool and forested Aling-Aling Waterfall is reachable down rice field paths near Singaraja in North Bali. You’ll pass a collection of smaller weirs as you descend about 100 steps before finding your prize view. The 35-metre falls greets you with cool mist and rushing sounds.

    From a rocky peak, the water splits into 2 streams, with the one on the right being the larger. The plunge pool at the bottom is about 4 metres deep, so it’s relatively safe to jump into and have a swim around. Take extra caution of the slippery and jagged rocks, though.

    Location: Jalan Raya Desa Sambangan, Sambangan, Sukasada, Buleleng, Bali 81161, Indonesia

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    photo by Dion Hinchcliffe (CC BY 2.0) modified

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    Tukad Unda Dam

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    Not quite a waterfall in the usual sense, Tukad Unda is a manmade dam, but a scenic one that it’s frequently used for creative photo shoots by visitors and local wedding photographers. You can easily take in the views of Tukad Unda and the Unda River from the roadside that leads to Semarapura.

    Some locals bath and wash around the river, while the falling water of the dam is a playground for kids. During the dry season, when the water volume isn’t too high, you can walk over to the dam for closer shots. A small fee is usually required if you wish to enter the dam.

    Location: Tukad Yeh Unda, Semarapura Kelod Kangin, Klungkung, Bali 80761, Indonesia

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    Tibumana Waterfall

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    The beautiful Tibumana Waterfall offers a cool and green atmosphere, and the pathways for getting to the falls include a forest walk, wooden bridges and a series of steps. You’ll also need to cross over a rocky stream causeway, which can be slippery, so extra caution must be taken.

    Tibumana features twin cascades that fall from around 20 metres high into a deep pool, but taking a dip is discouraged as it is considered a sacred site. Between the falls, there’s a small cave that the locals dare not enter as it’s the subject of many a local myth. Some say that it leads all way to the Goa Raja temple, within the Besakih Temple complex.

    Location: Jalan Setra Agung, Apuan, Susut, Bangli, Bali 80661, Indonesia

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    Jembong Waterfall

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    A lesser-known waterfall but one that is no less beautiful is Jembong, located in the village of Ambengan in the Sukasada district of Buleleng, North Bali. Jembong is easily reachable over a short distance through local cacao plantations, and along rocky trails and small streams. At its base is a clear, freshwater pool that’s about waist-deep – good for a refreshing dip.

    Location: Ambengan, Sukasada, Buleleng, Bali 81161, Indonesia

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    Carat Waterfall

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    The Carat Waterfall is located in the village of Tamblang, near the North Bali capital of Singaraja. The falls are at the end of a 500-metre path from the main Singaraja road, comprising rickety bamboo bridges over a small stream and dirt trails through local village coffee and clove plantations.

    The towering falls are sandwiched by rocky crags and are about 100 metres tall. They take their name from the Balinese word for a traditional water jug. Something of a secret waterfall in Bali, it’s considered an important site by locals, so it’s recommended that you behave appropriately.

    Location: Jalan Raya Tamblang, Singaraja, Buleleng, Bali 81172, Indonesia

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    Peguyangan Waterfall

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    The Peguyangan Waterfall is one of the hardest to reach in Bali, located on the far southern tip of the Nusa Penida Island. Adventurous travellers are rewarded with a scenic prize when they find it, though.

    To reach the cliffside waterfall, you’ll need to go down the side of a high cliff, down a steep makeshift staircase. The locals maintain the staircase and a parallel pipeline that supplies fresh water to the nearby village. Down at the base are a spacious bathing pool and wide seascape views. Take extra care throughout your descent here.

    Location: Batukandik, Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia

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    Yeh Mampeh Waterfall

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    One of Bali’s more remote waterfalls is Yeh Mampeh. It’s also known by the name of the village it is located – Les in Tejakula, North Bali. Its remoteness means that you are more likely to able to enjoy the wonderful scenery and soothing atmosphere all by yourself.

    The 30-metres-tall falls pour down into a crystal clear pool, with adjacent rock faces covered with foliage and wild orchids. You can take a plunge or sit by the rocky poolside to take in the view.

    Location: Les, Tejakula, Buleleng, Bali 81173, Indonesia

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Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveller