Indonesia
contains some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. Nearly each
of the country’s most popular islands has a waterfall worth visiting,
and it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time! To make it a
little easier for you, here is everything you need to know about
visiting the 10 most beautiful Indonesia waterfalls.
1. Kanto Lampo, Bali
has many gorgeous and popular waterfalls, and the majority of them can
be found in the northern region of Buleleng. Kanto Lampo, however, is
located in the Denpasar region, making it a little easier to access from
the island’s most popular towns. This waterfall is actually brand new
because it was created in 2015 when a dam was built at the waterfall’s
hilt, making visiting Kanto Lampo one of the top things to do in Bali.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Kanto Lampo is located just next to Gianyar, a small town about 12 km
from Ubud Palace. You can reach it in less than an hour’s drive from Ubud or Denpasar. It is easy to reach the waterfall from the village, and the terrain is gentle enough for even novice hikers.
ENTRANCE FEE*: IDR 5,000 per person (less than USD 1)
THINGS TO DO
- Right next
to the waterfall, on the left-hand side, is a set of stairs that you
can follow down to the riverbank. The river here is full of eels and
fish and you’ll often find locals fishing there. - As you leave the village and head towards the waterfall, keep your eyes peeled for a small bat cave.
- In case you are interested in hiking in Ubud then Mount Batur hike is an excellent choice.
2. Nungnung, Bali
The giant Nungnung waterfall tumbles from a height of 900 meters.
Nungnung is often called the most
picturesque waterfall in Bali. Tumbling from a height of 900m and
nestled deep in the Indonesian countryside, this waterfall is still
somewhat undiscovered and is perfect if you want a peaceful, secluded
experience. You will have to hike for about 35 km through the Balinese
mountains to reach these falls! From the top of the falls, you then have
to climb down 500 steps to reach the gorge at the bottom.
HOW TO GET THERE: The Nungnung waterfall is located in Sangeh, about a 1.5-hour drive from Denpasar or just over an hour’s drive from Ubud.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 10,000 IDR per person (less than USD 1) plus an additional 5,000 IDR per car (about USD 0.36)
TIP: The gorge at
the bottom of Nungnung waterfall is perfect for swimming – just remember
that you have to climb back up to the top!
3. Tegenungan, Bali
Visiting this waterfall makes for an easy and pleasant day trip.
Tegenungan is by far the most popular
waterfall in Ubud and most visitors to the area include it on their
to-do list. If you’ve seen a photo of someone at a waterfall in
Indonesia, chances are it is Tegenungan! Conveniently located, this
waterfall is easily accessible via a short, well-marked path and makes
for an easy day trip.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Tegenungan is less than a 30-minute drive from Ubud, or about 40 minutes
from Denpasar. No matter which route you take, the drive to this
waterfall is a pleasant one, passing small villages and lush rice
terraces along the way.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 10,000 IDR per person (less than USD 1)
TIP: There are many
shops and restaurants in the parking area for the falls, making this the
perfect all-day trip. Be sure to visit Bebek Tamarind restaurant for
some delicious fried duck.
Check out this day-tour in Bali and dip into the cool waters of Tegenungang and Munduk among other waterfalls in Bali.
4. Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep, North Lombok
Sendang Gile is the first waterfall you see before heading to the larger Tiu Kelep.
Tiu Kelep is hidden deeper in the forest and is the more powerful of the two waterfalls.
When it comes to this waterfall, you
actually get two for the price of one! Sendang Gile is a small
waterfall that you can visit on your way to the larger Tiu Kelep
waterfall.
Sendang Gile is about 31m tall, is
double-tiered, and only takes about 15 minutes to reach. Tiu Kelep is
just another 45 minutes away and is far more powerful than its
neighbour, tumbling 45m down a cliff. Note that while Sedang Gile is
fairly easy to access, you’ll likely want to hire a guide to help you as
you make your way through the more difficult journey to Tiu Kelep.
Bonus: It’s not uncommon to come across monkeys on your walk to the falls!
HOW TO GET THERE: These Indonesian waterfalls are not far from Rinjani National Park in North Lombok,
within Senaru village. It will take you about 2.5 hours to drive from
Mataram, the island’s capital city. The drive itself is beautiful,
travelling along coconut-tree-lined roads surrounded by lush mountains
on one side and sprawling beaches on the other.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 10,000 IDR per person (less than USD 1)
TIP: Tiu Kelep is perfect for swimming – though the water is often very cold, so be sure to bring some towels to warm up afterwards.
Did you know that Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and it can be hiked as well? Check out our guide on hiking Mount Rinjani for more information.
5. Madakaripura, East Java
Madakaripura waterfall is the biggest waterfall in Java.
Local legend has it that Mahapatih
Gajah Mada, the ancient ruler of the Majapahit Empire, once lived in
this stunning waterfall. Madakaripura is actually a series of seven
waterfalls, the biggest of which falls from an incredible height of
200m, making it the highest waterfall in East Java.
Visiting Madakaripura is an incredible experience as the trail forces
you to walk under some of the smaller waterfalls in order to see it in
all its splendour. You might get wet, but trust us – it’s worth it.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Madakaripura waterfall is located in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park,
one of the most popular parks in East Java. The main entrance to the
park is in Cemoro Lawang village, about a 2.75-hour drive from the
Surabaya International Airport. Once inside the park, it cannot be
reached by public transportation, but the falls are often part of tours
for the Bromo volcano, which is one of the active volcanos in Indonesia.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 5,000
IDR per person (less than USD 0.50) – though note the nearest parking
lot is 4km away, so you’ll also have to budget for an ojek ride (about
10,000 IDR per person each way, or less than USD 1).
6. Dua Warna, North Sumatra
Two Colours’ – and the name certainly doesn’t disappoint. This
spectacular waterfall has many shades of blue, white and grey thanks to
the phosphorus and sulphur levels in the water. It will take you about
two to three hours to hike to Dua Warna waterfall, but the sight waiting
for you at the end is well worth the challenge!
HOW TO GET THERE:
The entrance can be found at the campsite in Sioblangit Camping Grounds,
about a 2-3 hour drive from Medan in North Sumatra. You can park your
car at the campsite and walk the two to three hours through the forest
to the falls.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 10,000 IDR (less than USD 1)
THINGS TO DO
- Swim in the Dua Warna waterfall but be careful not to drink any of the water as it is full of unhealthy minerals.
- Bring a tent with you and spend a night camping alongside the waterfall.
7. Moramo, Sulawesi
waterfall with a stream that flows across a 2 km-long plateau before
dropping 100m down into a basin below. Surrounded by a vibrant jungle,
these falls trickle down an incredible 127 levels! It’s a sight that can
hardly be captured by a camera – it can only be seen in person to be
truly appreciated. Locals even say that angels once bathed here (yep,
it’s that beautiful).
HOW TO GET THERE: Moramo waterfall is located within the Tanjung Peropa National Park in Sulawesi,
about 45km or a 1.5-hour drive from Kendari. There is no public
transportation offered in this area so a rental car is recommended – but
be careful as the roads are not very well maintained.
ENTRANCE FEE: Free
TIP: The lower levels aren’t overly steep, so try sliding down them! The water isn’t too powerful, so you won’t get swept away.
8. Sekumpul, Bali
The path to reaching the Sekumpul waterfall is not easy but it still is a popular waterfall to visit in Bali.
Like Tegenungan, Sekumpul is one of Bali‘s
most popular waterfalls – and it’s easy to see why. Though getting to
the falls isn’t necessarily easy – you have to make your way through
jungle vines and down some slippery steps, not to mention a couple of
river crossings – the view waiting for you at the end is like nothing
you’ve ever seen before.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Sekumpul waterfall is just 2km from the village that gives it its name.
It is about 18 km from Singaraja (40 minutes) or 27 km from Lovina
(about 1 hour). Like most Indonesian waterfalls, there is no public
transportation so you will have to rent or book a car.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 15,000 IDR per person (about USD 1.05)
TIP: You will pass several other waterfalls on your way to Sekumpul, including Lemukih Waterfall and Gombong Waterfall.
Spend a day at Sekumpul waterfalls on this private tour.
9. Gitgit, Bali
‘twin falls’ or ‘Air Terjun Kembar Gitgit’ by the locals, due to it’s
being split into two equal streams. Gitgit is yet another popular
waterfall in Bali thanks to its convenient location and easy access.
Your path to the base of the waterfall is a well-maintained wooden
boardwalk, so you don’t even have to worry about getting your feet wet.
HOW TO GET THERE: Gitgit Waterfall is in the North of Bali, just 10 km south of Singaraja or 80 km north of Kuta.
The roads accessing the falls are well maintained as this is a popular
stopping point for travellers on their way to Lovina Beach.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 5,000 IDR per person (less than USD 0.50)
THINGS TO DO
- Take a swim in the rocky pool at the base of the falls.
- Continue on the guided path and you’ll reach another waterfall called Mekalongan, which flows on the same watercourse.
10. Coban Sewu, Java
Coban Sewu translates to “thousand waterfalls” in the local dialect.
Once a secret waterfall, Coban Sewu
is becoming increasingly popular with tourists – even though the hike to
access is it far from easy! The “thousand waterfalls” (as it is
translated from the local dialect) is located in a deep ravine,
accessible only by a thin path cut through the thick jungle surrounding
it. It will take you about 20 minutes (and several ladders) to climb to
its base in the canyon below, but it will be the most refreshing swim of
your life.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Coban Sewu waterfall is just outside Sidorenggo village in the Lumajang
Regency of East Java – about a two-hour drive from Malang. There should
be a signpost just on the village’s outskirts, which you follow for
about 200m before reaching the car park.
ENTRANCE FEE*: 5,000 IDR (less than USD 0.50)
There are so many beautiful
waterfalls to visit in Indonesia, spread across the country’s many
islands. From the tall and mighty to the simple and sweet, they
perfectly represent Indonesia’s great diversity. How many will you be
able to visit?
*Please note that the prices listed are as of March 2018
