

overview
Bali is a paradise for water lovers. Surrounded by sea and ocean, crisscrossed by rivers, the local nature is flourishing with life. The rivers flow from the mountains to the sea, forming a myriad of beautiful waterfalls along the way.
When you're searching for waterfalls, look for signs that say “Air Terjun” (air = water and terjun = to jump down/dive in).
The intensity and size of the waterfalls vary according to season; during the rainy season (November-March), they tend to be stronger and some may even be too strong and thereby murky, making it impossible to get to them. Whereas in the dry season (April-October), you may encounter merely a tiny trickle.
If you plan your trip well and weather allows, it’s possible to visit several waterfalls in a single day; for example in the Munduk area, you can visit around 5 waterfalls in a single morning.
Since most of the waterfalls have a lot of steps to climb, you can expect a good workout - with the stunning nature and refreshing cool, we promise it’ll be much more exciting than going to the gym!
This Guide is divided into the following sections:
General Info
Waterfalls are typically located closer to the mountains, in the center or north of the island, where the rivers flow into the valleys. Due to the cloudier and rainier conditions around the mountains, it’s recommended to plan your waterfall explorations in the morning to avoid getting caught in the rain or fog.
Bali offers a wide variety of waterfalls. Tall and narrow ones such as Sekumpul, which is considered to be the highest waterfall in Bali. Wide waterfalls include Kanto Lampo and Nung-Nung, which is also thought to be the loudest due to the huge volume of water it cascades from above.
Some waterfalls, such as Aling-Aling, mimic waterparks offering natural slides of flowing water along the rocks keeping visitors entertained for hours. And for those seeking an extra dose of adrenaline, Aling Aling also boasts jumps from 5, 10, and 15 meters above! This’s a short list of the most well-known and popular waterfalls in Bali.

Natural waterslide near Aling-Aling waterfall
Keep in mind that visiting a waterfall in Bali is comparable to visiting a famous tourist attraction in a city meaning it could take time (and patience) to get close to the waterfall; let alone, capture a photo. However, if you’re willing to venture further from the tourist areas to experience waterfalls in Bali, there are hidden gems which offer stunning views and reprieve from the crowds.

Krisik waterfall offers a nice canyon walk
Sade Waterfall, Sumampan Waterfall, Campuhan Antapan Waterfall and Krisik Waterfall are some of our favorites. While they may not be as photogenic as their more popular counterparts, the peace, privacy, and utter bliss of blending in with nature more than make up for it!
💡 Tip: Usually, the fewer photos/reviews a waterfall has on Google Maps, the less visited it is.
⚠️ It may surprise you: As previously mentioned, many of Bali's waterfalls are located in high-altitude mountains (well over 1000 meters above sea level), so the water can be quite cold and the air noticeably cooler compared to the south of the island; those sensitive to cold would do well to pack a sweatshirt, pants, and even a dry change of clothes.
⚠️ Warning: At the larger waterfalls (e.g. the aforementioned Nung-Nung), it is not recommended to swim or walk directly under the falling stream of water. The water is extremely powerful and can cause injury. There is also a risk of slipping on wet stones/steps. Flip flops/sandals tend to be extra slippery when wet. Be careful and always use caution. Be careful of electronics that are not waterproof, not only under the waterfall but also along the wet surroundings.
Daytime & Difficulty
Suitable Times to Visit
We recommend planning your visit to the falls in the morning. The air is crisper and cooler, and the sun is still slightly lower on the horizon providing more natural light for stunning photos. In the afternoons, fog and rain are fairly common around the mountains.
⚠️ It may surprise you: Around the mountains, the weather can change in a matter of minutes. In just 15 minutes, sunny skies can turn to heavy cloudburst with visibility less than a half meter in front of you.

Golden Walley waterfall in Munduk
Variable Levels of Difficulty
Bali’s waterfalls vary in their physical difficulty and unfortunately they are not rated or marked as they would be on ski slopes in the mountains, for example. Some waterfalls can be reached within 10 minutes of the parking lot without much difficulty while others will emerge only after you’ve climbed 500 steps or forded a river. In some locations, the steps are fairly well maintained and concrete; in others, there’s just a few rocks embedded in the dirt or even just a trodden dirt path; and there are some that are a combination. In all cases, if you encounter a trip that proves to be too challenging, you can always turn and head back (usually uphill/up stairs).

Tukad Cepung waterfall - a waterfall in the cave
Waterfalls with Children
We recommend taking a trip to the falls only with older children who are able to swim and manage on uneven terrain/stairs; or conversely with little ones who can be carried in a carrier. When considering visiting waterfalls with children, take into account their physical ability, your experience, and the cautionary advice previously mentioned (i.e. physical demands, slippery and uneven surfaces, strong water currents, swollen rivers, rapid weather changes, etc.).
We, for example, have personal experience visiting the Uma Anyar waterfall with our six-month-old daughter in a carrier and an 11 years old boy and it was a pleasant and undemanding trip (note it was sunny and without rain for couple of days, otherwise the path could be muddy and slippery).
Seasons
Rainy Season
During the rainy season, some waterfalls may be inaccessible due to raised river levels (we recommend respecting the "closures"). Unfortunately, since such conditions aren’t known in advance, it’s something you’d find out the spot; additionally, the rapid weather changes could make a waterfall unsafe to visit in the afternoon even if it was accessible in the morning.
⚠️ Caution: Locals know their environment and when it’s best to avoid an area. For your safety, we do not recommend visiting closed waterfalls. Watershed rivers can be very dangerous and in case of an accident, it would be difficult to get help.
💡 Tip: You'll appreciate footwear that has more traction than flip-flops. The paths to and around the falls can be muddy and slippery.
⚠️ It may surprise you: After rain, water in rivers can turn yellowish to brown. The path to the falls can be physically demanding.

Kanto Lampo waterfall - very famous waterfall in Bali
Dry Season
During the dry season, the water’s movement in a river may not be sufficient enough to form a waterfall; instead, you may encounter just a wet wall with a tiny trickle. Luckily, this is only the case for a limited group of waterfalls and most are available year-round.
⚠️ It may surprise you: Even during the dry season it can rain (especially in the mountainous area) and the weather can change in a moment. After the rain, the color of the water can turn brownish.
Regardless of the season, it may happen that locals divert the water to rice fields, making the waterfall unavailable (for example, we experienced this at the Sumampan waterfall, which was "turned off" during one of our visits).
Guides & Entrance Fees
When it comes to guides, you’re likely to experience the gamut depending on the waterfall. Some waterfalls are easy to find and help from a guide isn’t necessary. Some waterfalls don’t even have a guide available. And for others, a guide is "voluntarily required" meaning it would be difficult to pass through the local community without being coerced into paying for one.
This is more likely to occur at well-known waterfalls such as Sekumpul, where, upon arrival, you could be immediately surrounded by locals who share discouraging stories about how difficult the waterfall is to find, or how someone broke their leg along the way, or how it’s almost impossible to get to the waterfall without a guide.

Sekumpul waterfall - the highest waterfall in Bali
However, in the case of Sekumpul, rest assured, the tales are untrue: there is a nice concrete path leading to the waterfall with signs orienting visitors everywhere along the way. And as for the entrance fees to Sekumpul (and other popular waterfalls), they are exorbitant to local standards. We personally appreciated a guide at Aling Aling waterfall because he showed us many interesting things along the way (tree species, animals, etc.), lent us life jackets for the natural slide noting where to slide down, and pointed out all the waterfall’s nooks and crannies.
Overall, by utilizing the services of a guide you are supporting the guide him or herself, the local economy, and the residents. The price for a guide ranges from IDR 20,000 and even up to IDR 300,000 (the higher end of the spectrum is usually for “packages” such as a guide + refreshments, etc.).

Fiji waterfall near the Sekumpul waterfall
The entrance fee alone, without a guide, is usually between IDR 15,000 and IDR 50,000, and in many places, it is also paid as a donation - in an amount of your choice.
⚠️ It may surprise you: The insistence of some local guides may be unpleasant but don't let this put you off. If you want to continue without a guide, try to keep repeating "tidak mau, terima kasih", which translates to "I'm not interested, thank you" with a smile; locals sometimes respond better to Indonesian and they always react better to a smile and friendly attitude.
Main areas
When you look at the map below, you will see that some areas have a higher density of waterfalls. We have selected and described the main 4 areas with the most waterfalls below.

Goa Rang Reng waterfall
Area 1
The first area winds from Ubud, through Gyaniar and Sidemen, and is the closest to the main tourist attractions in Bali, so expect a higher concentration of people and longer waiting times. There are many popular waterfalls such as Tegenungan, Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung, Tibumana, Gembleng, etc.
Area 2
The second major waterfall area is north of Buyan Lake, where you can find several waterfalls very close to each other. Popular waterfalls in the area are Banyumala, Banyu Wana Amertha, Sekumpul, Aling-Aling, etc.
Area 3
The third area is around the village of Munduk. In Munduk itself, you can follow the trekking trail and see 5 waterfalls in one day. It is a pleasant walk, just remember that it is over 500 steps to Melanting Waterfall. Other famous waterfalls in the area include: Munduk, Golden Valley, Labuhan Kebo, etc.
Area 4
The last area of waterfalls is central Bali. Here you can also plan a trip to several waterfalls in one day. There are waterfalls such as Leke-Leke and Nung-Nung.
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MAP
Our map contains most of the waterfalls in Bali. Currently there are more than 80. Some smaller ones are in close proximity to the bigger ones, so you can't miss them. They are usually a few tens to hundreds of meters from the more prominent ones and there are signs leading to them.
Can't you see the map? Google can be stubborn. Try this link.