Waterfalls in Bali

Sekumpul means 'a group of', and that is what it is: a cluster of tall falls in north Bali, fed by upland streams and scattered across a steep valley rather than gathered in one spot. It is widely rated the best of the waterfalls in Bali, and it asks the most of you, with a long descent and river crossings on the way in.

Tegenungan sits in its own village halfway between Ubud and Denpasar, which makes it the easiest waterfall in Bali to reach and the busiest. The drive in runs on paved road past rice fields, and the shallow bathing area at the base is ringed by cafes. Expect company, especially around midday.

Tukad Cepung falls into a cave-like slot in Tembuku, Bangli regency, so the water lands inside a ring of rock with the sky open overhead. Getting in means a steep 15-minute walk and then a wade through knee to waist deep water. Come mid-morning, when light drops through the gap above.

Kanto Lampo near Gianyar spreads over a tiered rock face rather than dropping clear, so you can stand in the water where it comes down. It is close to Ubud and shallow at the base, which makes it one of the more family-friendly waterfalls in Bali. It is also small, so it fills up through the middle of the day.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls drop side by side into one wide pool near Munduk village in north Bali, which makes it one of the better places on the island to actually swim. The walk down is short but steep, on soil steps with bamboo railings and ladders, and it stays slippery after rain.

Between Bedugul and Ubud lies Air Terjun Nungnung, a beautiful waterfall that refreshes your senses. Located about 900m above sea level, the waterfall in Bali is surrounded by lush greenery and is a great spot for nature-lovers. However, the water is a little rough for swimming, and the 500-step pathway to access it can be quite the exercise.

Located in the central highlands of Bali, Munduk waterfalls in Bali greet visitors with a refreshing water spray amid lush greenery. A steep descent of 300m leads to the site, where one can splash about in one of the rocky pools. The scenic beauty is complemented by the clove and coffee plantations nearby, making this an all-round pleasant experience.

Air Terjun Gitgit lies about 10 km from Singaraja in the Bali highlands, where a wooden walkway leads to a 40-metre fall dropping into a rocky pool. It is one of the easiest waterfalls in Bali to find and reach by road, which makes it a common first stop on a north Bali driving day.

Aling Aling in Buleleng regency falls around 30 metres, and it is the rare waterfall in Bali where jumping in is organised rather than discouraged. Guides run cliff jumps and natural rock slides at the smaller falls just upstream. Reaching it takes a walk across rice fields and a long flight of steps.

Peguyangan is on Nusa Penida, off Bali's southeast coast, and the approach is as much the draw as the fall. A long blue staircase is bolted to the cliff face, running down to spring-fed pools and a small temple at the bottom. The climb back up is the hard part. It stays quieter than Nusa Penida's headline viewpoints.

Tibumana in Bangli regency is a single curtain of water falling into a broad, calm pool, which is what makes it one of the better swimming waterfalls in Bali. The pool is shallow at the edges, so wade in rather than jumping. It is a 10-minute walk from the parking area on an easy, shaded path.

Leke Leke is about an hour north of Canggu, with signs off the main road to the parking area. From there a 15-minute walk over bamboo bridges runs through jungle to a narrow fall in a green cleft. A couple of guesthouses sit near the entrance, which suits anyone wanting to arrive before the light gets hard.

Goa Rang Reng in Gianyar regency runs through a canyon rather than over a single drop, in a series of three falls with caves in the rock alongside. Swimming is part of the point here, and tubes can be rented to float the canyon. It is one of the more unusual waterfalls in Bali for that reason.

Jembong sits among cocoa plantations in north Bali, not far from Gitgit, and it is small and wide rather than tall, spilling over a mossy rock face into a shallow pool. It stays well off the usual circuit, so it is one of the few waterfalls in Bali where you can reasonably expect to have the place to yourself.

Pengempu is in Tabanan regency and gets passed over for the better-known Tegenungan, which is most of its appeal. It is small, set in thick jungle, and awkward enough to find that it stays quiet. Worth the detour for anyone working through the waterfalls in Bali who wants one without a queue at the car park.

Blangsinga is in Gianyar regency, fed by the Petanu River, and sits close enough to Tegenungan that the two are often done together. A bamboo stairway and clean public toilets make it an easy stop. Swimming is not advised here, so treat it as a viewpoint rather than a bathing spot.

Melasti is at Ungasan on Bali's southern Bukit peninsula, above its namesake beach, and it is a coastal waterfall rather than a jungle one, running down a limestone cliff towards the sand. Go at low tide, when small pools form among the rocks, and late in the day, since this coast faces west.