Nungnung Waterfall

Found just over an hour’s drive away from Ubud is the hidden gem, Nungnung waterfall. It is among the best waterfalls in the region and is relatively unknown.

Bali is home to some of the most incredible natural wonders in the world. Therefore it attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world. However, with this influx of tourists, most attractions in Bali have become incredibly crowded.

Nungnung is gaining some attention and popularity on social media. Therefore use this guide to experience it before it becomes too crowded!

Luisa is looking toward Nungnung waterfall, facing away from teh camera. she is wearing a red singlet and her hair is half up. the waterfall is in he distance and to the left of the image. there are a lot of big boulders at the base of the falls

Why visit Nungnung Waterfall
Getting to the Nungnung Waterfall
Best time for photos
Photo tips for Nungnung waterfall
Safety advice & what to bring

Why visit Nungnung Waterfall

If you like an adventure and going the extra mile (quite literally) this is the waterfall for you. This 50-meter waterfall is one of the tallest in the province. Nungnung Waterfall is so special because of the challenging journey through the lush Balinese jungle. Before you come face-to-face with this beast of a waterfall, you must first put your legs to the test. The waterfall is the prize at the end of your journey!

This waterfall is a little more challenging to access than the other touristy ones. Therefore making it extra unique, plus you will never find it crowded. Yet! The entire experience is extremely rewarding and needs to be on your bucket list.

Moreover, at the entrance of the waterfall, you will also find a Bali swing. An attraction popping up everywhere and made famous in Bali. So, if you want an adrenaline rush before the hike down to the waterfall, why not have a swing?

many cement stairs down toward Nungnung Waterfall. The stairs have hand rails on either side and are surrounded by lush green jungle on both sides

Getting to the Nungnung Waterfall

Nungnung Waterfall is roughly an hour’s drive from Ubud. However, you can cut down the time if you rent a bike.

There are three ways to get to the waterfall:

renting a car with a driver,
renting a scooter, or
going with a tour company.

If you want to maximize the adventure try your hand at riding a scooter. Riding a scooter when you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains and landscapes that your eyes have ever seen, makes for a special experience.

The entrance fee at Nungnung Waterfall is 10k IDR for locals and 20k IDR for foreigners. Parking will cost 2k IDR.

Ahead of you is a climb down 500 steps to the bottom of the waterfall. However, the lush jungle and scenic views make the journey down quite pleasant. Plus there are some places to sit and catch your breath. Whilst also enjoying the lush scenery.

Luisa is walking down some mud and bamboo stairs towards the waterfall. she is facing away from the camera as she walks down and has her left hand on the hand rail. she is wearing a red singlet top and brown pants. the stairs have bamboo rails on either side and there is lush green jungle surrounding her and the stairs

Beware on a rainy day, this hike can become quite tough as the steps become quite slippery. The toughest part, however, is climbing back up. The pleasant 15 or so-minute stroll down becomes an arduous 45-minute hike on the way back up.

Luisa is sitting in one of the rest stops found along the stairs. She is sitting on the wooden floor with her left leg bent up and her left arm holding her leg. She is looking out into the green jungle in front of her

Best time for photos

Nungnung waterfall is open for visitors from 9 AM to 4 PM. To get the best chance to properly explore the area and take a lot of photos, early morning is best.

Enjoy the early morning sunshine for the best light and the least crowds. Plus, the mornings are considerably cooler which will make the hike down and back up much easier.

One of the best places to take photos is in front of the waterfall. However, be sure to maintain a safe distance and be prepared to get soaked. The spray from the waterfall will leave you drenched in a few seconds.

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Photo tips for Nungnung waterfall

If you are a photography enthusiast, you will get many opportunities to take cool photos at the waterfall with a lot of beautiful spots to choose from.

There are many rocks in and around the natural pool under the waterfall. You can try different spots and angles to curate the perfect pictures for your Instagram. Use different focal points and lenses to get the entire waterfall into your picture.

If you want to get right in front of the waterfall you will have to cross the little creek. There is a bamboo footbridge that crosses the creek and it also doubles as a great photography spot.

There will be a lot of spray coming from the waterfall, which can ruin your camera if it is not waterproof.

Travelling with a GoPro is a great idea. However, if it isn’t particularly windy the spray isn’t going to be that heavy, but keep a lens cloth with you just in case.

First glimpse of the waterfall from the bottom of the stairs. The waterfall is in the distance, boulders can be seen at the base of the falls and the pool of water flows into a small creek at the front of the image. trees and lush rainforest are visible on all side of the image and people can be seen on boulders at the base of the falls

the small bamboo foot bridge that goes over the creek swollen with water running from the waterfall. the bridge has a small bend in it as it traverses the water and is resting on different boulders in the creek.

Safety advice & what to bring

When visiting a place like Nungnung waterfall, you need to make sure you are fully prepared.

Carrying the usual water bottle and something to snack on is always a must. Especially for all those stairs!

If you don’t fancy getting wet a rain poncho might be worth considering. Apart from protecting you from the intense spray from the waterfall, a raincoat will also keep you nice and dry whenever the unpredictable Bali weather decides to shower you with some rain.

Another thing that can come in very handy when visiting the Nungnung waterfall is a dry bag. It will protect all your electronics and important things when you get closer to the waterfall. You can also buy a waterproof backpack which gives you a lot more storage space compared to a dry bag.

Consider packing an extra pair of clothes with you or at least something to throw over the top of your swimsuit. Because there is no way you will be leaving Nungnung dry.

The rocks here can also be quite slippery, especially after rain. So, mind your steps and wear non-slip shoes. You can also benefit from bringing along a pair of flip-flops, as getting into the water barefoot might be a bit dangerous.

Luisa is standing in front of Nungnung waterfall but looking back toward the camera looking over her right shoulder. She is wearing a red tank top. The waterfall is beyond her in the middle of the image. there a few people standing on the boulders at the base of the waterfall

a view of the top of the waterfall as the water crashed over the edge. the bottom of the falls are not visible. Green rainforest can be seen either side of the waterfall

It can be quite refreshing to take a dip in the natural pool after the hike, so remember to pack a bathing suit. However, it is important to keep in mind that this place is quite secluded and there aren’t going to be any safety guards or locals around to help out in case of an emergency.

So if you do decide to take a dip, be extra careful because the current can be quite strong at times. Also, make sure that you keep a safe distance from the waterfall because the water falls down with deadly force.

Above all enjoy your time at Nungnung, it is a truly remarkable waterfall and definitely one to see and experience for yourself

a view of the entire waterfall top to bottom as the water cascades out of the jungle and down to the pool below. There are 10 or so people standing on the boulders below watching the waterfall. There is jungle and vines surrounding the waterfall and mist rising from the pool where the water lands

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