Don’t listen to TLC. Chasing waterfalls is worth it, especially if you’re in Bali during the wet season.
This Indonesia travel hub is more than sunny beaches, lounging in beach clubs, and unique dining experiences. In all the sand and luxury hotels, it’s easy to forget that there’s a raw, breathing jungle in the heart of Bali, and nowhere is this more evident than in the island’s magical waterfalls.
Sekumpul Waterfall
Whether you are staying in the paradise of Uluwatu, beaches of Seminyak, or the wonderland of rice terraces in Ubud, a trip to Northern Bali is a must. Along the curved jungle roads stands Sekumpul village, home of the majestic king of Bali’s watery jungle: the Sekumpul waterfall. To be more precise, it’s seven waterfalls.
The seven falls of different heights and strengths scattered around jungle paths makes this place unique. A great stop for nature lovers and photography aficionados alike, it takes a bit of a dirt road trek to actually see the beauty, but it’s worth the effort.
GitGit Waterfall
A 40 minute car journey away from Sekumpul is a waterfall that takes much less effort to conquer: the GitGit Waterfall.
With much of the water falling from a nearby cave, the GitGit is surrounded with lush green rainforest and playful monkeys come from the surrounding jungle to drink the water. As this waterfall is just 10 kilometers off Bali’s main town of Singaraja, with no jungle treks or river crossings required.
Expect to see more than one waterfall here, with the nature and scenery changing as you come closer to each. On the way to the waterfalls, the scenery will change from tropical plants and flowers to coffee and clove trees. The air gets cooler and fresher with the added mist, a nice relief from otherwise hot Bali weather.
Aling-Aling Waterfall
Just a 20 minute car ride from the GitGit waterfall is the Aling-Aling waterfall. This secret jungle garden features a natural water slide for the ultimate Bali jungle experience.
The main waterfall has a 35-meter high, powerful waterfall over a cliff, creating a deep basin pond perfect for a wild jungle swim. The surrounding smaller slip and slide waterfalls feature an inviting plunge pool at the bottom.
Even if you’re not the adventurous type, it’s still worth a visit to Aling-Aling for the scenery.
Banyumala Twin Waterfall
A little further south, Bali is hiding the Banyumala waterfall. This is one of the lesser known waterfalls, so there’s a chance you’ll have your own private jungle waterfall experience, at least for awhile.
This twin waterfall drops over a large black cliff, creating a tempting pool at the bottom. The water is clear and pure, and you might even be able to see the bottom of the pool during your swim. This waterfall is not that easily accessible without the help of locals, as the roads leading to it are tricky.
Pucak Manik Waterfall
Probably the least visited of the major Bali waterfalls, Pucak Manik offers travelers a chance for a private jungle picnic at the bottom of a secret waterfall. Just bring your a picnic basket and swimwear, and this makes for an excellent waterfall date.
As this waterfall is quite new compared to the others, it’s not well known to outsiders. The Pucak Manik Waterfall also differs from others with the fact that it doesn’t have a plunge pool at the bottom. However, it’s possible to get in there and stand under the falling water, letting it massage your shoulders.
Pucak Manik Waterfall is located just 20 kilometers from the far Northern shore of Bali, where Lovina Beach, one of the unique Bali black sand beaches, is found – an excellent dolphin sighting spot.