Bali isn’t just rice terraces and beach clubs. Hidden across the island’s lush interior are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Southeast Asia thundering cascades surrounded by jungle, sacred pools, and dramatic volcanic landscapes that most visitors driving between Seminyak and Ubud never see. This guide covers the ten best Bali waterfalls worth visiting in 2026, from accessible day-trip options near Ubud to the more remote north Bali gems that reward the effort.
All of these waterfalls are reachable on a day trip from Sanur our guide to day trips from Sanur covers logistics, and the complete Sanur Bali travel guide puts each excursion in context of the broader island.
What to Know Before You Go
A few practical points that apply to all Bali waterfall visits: entry fees are typically IDR 10,000–50,000 per person and change regularly carry small denominations. Most waterfalls require a walk of 15–60 minutes from the car park; footwear with grip is essential as paths are often steep and slippery. Sarongs are required at most sites as they are considered sacred by local Balinese. Visiting early (before 9am) keeps you ahead of the tour groups and gives you the best light for photos.
What to bring: Grip shoes or sandals, a change of clothes if you plan to swim, cash in IDR, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag for your phone. Full packing reference in our Bali packing list.
The 10 Best Bali Waterfalls
1. Sekumpul Waterfall North Bali
Widely considered the most beautiful waterfall in Bali, Sekumpul is actually a cluster of seven separate falls that crash together into a wide river gorge surrounded by tropical forest. The hike down takes 45–60 minutes each way and involves steep steps and river crossings but the scale and drama at the bottom are unlike anything else on the island. Located near Singaraja in north Bali, it’s a long day trip from Sanur (around 2.5–3 hours each way) but completely worth it for serious waterfall seekers. A driver who knows the route is strongly recommended.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 + guide fee (guides are required and helpful)
- Distance from Sanur: ~90km, 2.5–3 hours each way
- Swim: Yes in the pools at the base
- Best time: Dry season (April–October) for clearest water
2. Tegenungan Waterfall Near Ubud
The most accessible waterfall in Bali and the easiest to combine with an Ubud day trip from Sanur. Tegenungan is wide, powerful, and has a swimming area directly in front of the falls. It gets busy by mid-morning arrive before 8:30am for a quieter experience. The surrounding cafes and viewpoint platforms have made this a popular stop, but the waterfall itself is genuinely impressive and requires minimal walking from the car park.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~28km, 45–60 minutes
- Swim: Yes popular swimming area at the base
- Best combined with: Ubud market and Tegalalang rice terraces
3. Gitgit Waterfall North Bali
Gitgit is one of Bali’s tallest single-drop waterfalls at around 35 metres, located on the road between Singaraja and the highland lakes. The walk from the car park takes 15–20 minutes through a pleasant forested path. It’s less dramatic than Sekumpul but far easier to reach — a good option for those wanting a north Bali experience without the full commitment of the Sekumpul hike.
- Entry: ~IDR 30,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~75km, 2 hours each way
- Swim: Possible but cold
- Best combined with: Lovina and north Bali coast drive
4. Kanto Lampo Waterfall Near Ubud
A smaller but exceptionally photogenic waterfall where the water fans out across a wide series of rock steps creating a curtain effect unlike any other fall in Bali. Kanto Lampo is easy to reach, close to Ubud, and rarely as crowded as Tegenungan. The path from the car park is short but steep in places. It’s increasingly popular but still manageable in the early morning.
- Entry: ~IDR 15,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~32km, 50–60 minutes
- Swim: Wading only the flow is too strong for swimming
- Best combined with: Tegenungan and Ubud in one day
5. Tibumana Waterfall Near Ubud
Tibumana is a narrow, tall waterfall tucked into a jungle gorge about 30 minutes from Ubud. It’s one of the quieter options on this list a short 10-minute walk from the road leads to a secluded pool where you can swim relatively undisturbed. A solid choice for those who want the waterfall experience without tour-group crowds.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~35km, 55 minutes
- Swim: Yes — calm pool at the base
6. Nungnung Waterfall Central Bali Highlands
The approach to Nungnung involves 500+ steps down into a deep gorge and the same number back up. The reward is a powerful, remote-feeling waterfall in the central highlands that few tourists bother to reach. If you’re fit and want something genuinely off the beaten track, Nungnung delivers. Allow 3–4 hours for the full visit.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~50km, 1.5 hours
- Swim: The mist is refreshing full swimming is limited by the current
- Best for: Active travellers who want solitude
7. Tukad Cepung Waterfall – Near Bangli
Tukad Cepung is Bali’s most unusual waterfall it’s inside a narrow canyon, and the light that filters through the rock opening above creates extraordinary natural lighting effects in the late morning. The walk involves wading through a shallow stream. It’s not large, but the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else on the island. Visit between 9am and 11am for the best light shaft effect.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~42km, 1 hour 15 minutes
- Swim: Wading only — canyon is narrow
- Best time: 9–11am for the light effect
8. Leke Leke Waterfall Near Ubud
A hidden gem that requires a 20–30 minute jungle walk Leke Leke rewards the effort with a tall, narrow fall into a clear pool in a dense forested canyon. Far quieter than most Ubud-area waterfalls and genuinely pristine.
- Entry: ~IDR 20,000 per person
- Distance from Sanur: ~30km, 50 minutes
- Swim: Yes — clear, calm pool
9. Blahmantung Waterfall West Bali
Blahmantung in Pupuan is one of Bali’s tallest waterfalls and one of the least visited. The surrounding area is planted with coffee and cacao the drive through west Bali’s agricultural heartland is as much of the attraction as the fall itself.
- Entry: Minimal
- Distance from Sanur: ~90km, 2 hours
- Best combined with: West Bali rice terraces and Jatiluwih
10. Aling-Aling Waterfall North Bali
Aling-Aling is a system of four waterfalls in north Bali, the most famous of which has a natural waterslide carved into the rock. Swimming and sliding are actively encouraged — it’s the most interactive waterfall experience on the island. The site is well-organised with local guides who assist with the slides.
- Entry: ~IDR 30,000 + slide/jump fee
- Distance from Sanur: ~80km, 2 hours
- Best for: Families and anyone who wants to swim and slide
- Best combined with: Gitgit and Sekumpul on a north Bali day
Staying in Sanur? All of Bali’s best waterfalls are within a day trip. Check availability at Bhatara Villa Sanur 10 private pool villas minutes from the main road north.
Best Bali Waterfalls by Distance from Sanur
| Waterfall | Distance from Sanur | Drive Time | Difficulty |
| Tegenungan | ~28km | 45–60 min | Easy – short flat walk |
| Kanto Lampo | ~32km | 50–60 min | Easy – short steep path |
| Leke Leke | ~30km | 50 min | Moderate – jungle walk |
| Tibumana | ~35km | 55 min | Easy – 10 min path |
| Tukad Cepung | ~42km | 1hr 15min | Moderate – stream wading |
| Nungnung | ~50km | 1hr 30min | Hard – 500+ steps each way |
| Gitgit | ~75km | 2 hours | Easy – short forest path |
| Aling-Aling | ~80km | 2 hours | Moderate – guided site |
| Blahmantung | ~90km | 2 hours | Easy – short walk |
| Sekumpul | ~90km | 2.5–3 hours | Hard – 1hr hike each way |
How to Visit Bali Waterfalls from Sanur
The most convenient way to visit multiple waterfalls in a day is to hire a private driver for IDR 350,000–500,000 per day. This lets you combine two or three waterfalls in a single loop — for example, Tegenungan, Kanto Lampo, and Tibumana on an Ubud-area circuit, or Gitgit, Aling-Aling, and Sekumpul on a north Bali loop.
For the Ubud-area waterfalls, they combine naturally with an Ubud day trip from Sanur — add a waterfall stop in the morning before the market and rice terraces. For north Bali, plan a full dedicated day and leave Sanur by 6:30am. Our 7-day Bali itinerary includes a waterfall day in the schedule. For budget-conscious travellers, our guide to travelling Bali on a budget has current 2026 costs for drivers, entry fees, and food.
Why Sanur Is the Best Base for Bali Waterfall Day Trips
Sanur sits centrally on Bali’s south coast closer to the Ubud-area waterfalls than Seminyak or Kuta, and with easy access to the main roads north. An early morning departure from Bhatara Villa Sanur puts you at Tegenungan before the crowds, or in north Bali by mid-morning after a smooth drive through the highlands.
For guests staying for a week or more, there’s enough waterfall variety to fill multiple day trips without repeating. Our long-term villa rental in Sanur offers weekly and monthly rates that make extended exploration genuinely affordable. And after a long day of hiking steep jungle paths, returning to a private pool villa in Sanur to cool down in your own pool is the right way to end it. For more ideas on what to do between waterfall days, our things to do in Sanur guide covers the full neighbourhood.
Stay in Sanur — Bali’s Best Day Trip Base
All of Bali’s best waterfalls are within a day trip from Sanur. With a private driver and an early start from your villa, you can reach Tegenungan before the crowds or be in north Bali by mid-morning. Bhatara Villa Sanur offers 10 private pool villas the perfect base for exploring everything the island has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions Bali Waterfalls
Sekumpul in north Bali is widely considered the most spectacular a cluster of seven falls in a dramatic jungle gorge. For accessibility, Tegenungan near Ubud is the best option: impressive, easy to reach from Sanur, and swimmable. Kanto Lampo is the best for photography due to its unique fan-shaped rock formation.
Tegenungan, Tibumana, Leke Leke, and Aling-Aling all have safe swimming areas. Sekumpul has pools at the base that are swimmable in dry season. Nungnung and Tukad Cepung are too powerful or too narrow for comfortable swimming but are spectacular to visit.
The closest waterfalls to Sanur are in the Ubud area Tegenungan (28km, 45 minutes), Kanto Lampo (32km, 50 minutes), and Tibumana (35km, 55 minutes) are all under an hour’s drive. North Bali waterfalls like Sekumpul and Gitgit are 75–90km away and take 2–3 hours each way.
Dry season (April–October) is best the water is clearer, paths are less slippery, and conditions are more comfortable. During the wet season (November–March), waterfalls are more powerful but paths can be dangerous. For any waterfall, arrive early morning (before 9am) to beat tour groups.
Guides are required at Sekumpul and helpful at Aling-Aling. For most others Tegenungan, Kanto Lampo, Gitgit paths are clearly signposted. For north Bali where you’re combining multiple sites, hiring a driver who knows the routes saves significant time.
Yes, all of the waterfalls on this list are reachable on a day trip from Sanur. The Ubud-area waterfalls can be combined in a single morning. North Bali waterfalls like Sekumpul require a full dedicated day with an early start, but are very much worth it.