NUNGNUNG WATERFALL: Is this Bali’s Best Waterfall?
NUNGNUNG WATERFALL: Is this Bali’s Best Waterfall?Nungnung waterfall is one of Bali’s hidden gems located in the lush jungles of the island’s northern region. Plunging down from a height of over 30 meters into a pristine pool surrounded by tropical vegetation, this waterfall is a must-see for any nature lover visiting Bali.
Nungnung waterfall is situated near Gitgit village in Buleleng regency, about a 40 minute drive from the popular town of Ubud. The waterfall is located inside a dense jungle ravine, with stairs and walkways built to make access easier for visitors.
The waterfall gets its water supply from the flows of North Bali’s Wos river. The best time to visit Nungnung is during the dry season from April to September, when the water volume is high enough for an impressive cascade.
Surrounding the waterfall is lush jungle scenery, with giant ferns, vines, rare orchids, and exotic birds. The fresh negative ions from the waterfall are believed to provide health benefits as well.
How to Get to Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung waterfall is located in a small Balinese village bearing the same name, right in the center of the island. As is the case for many attractions around Bali, you have two main options to get here, either with a scooter or by private car.
- Ubud to Nungnung: 1h drive / 35 kilometers
- Canggu to Nungnung: 1h15 drive / 42 kilometers
- Kuta to Nungnung: 1h30 drive (often more due to traffic) / 52 kilometers
From Ngurah Rai International Airport:
- Taxi – The drive takes about 1 hour and costs around 300,000 IDR ($20 USD). Be sure to take a BlueBird taxi which is the official licensed company. Agree on price before.
- Pre-arranged transport – Many hotels in Ubud offer airport pickup services for around the same price as a taxi. Saves the hassle.
- Public shuttle bus – Cheapest option but takes longer (2 hours) as there are many stops. Cost 100,000 IDR ($7 USD).
Getting to the Waterfall from Ubud:
- Taxi/Private driver – The drive takes 40 minutes one-way. Negotiate price beforehand. Expect to pay around 250,000 IDR ($17 USD) for a return trip.
- Scooter rental – If you’re confident riding a motorbike, renting a scooter in Ubud costs around 50,000 IDR ($3.50 USD) per day. The route is mainly through villages.
We recommend taking a taxi or private driver, as the roads get narrow and trickier as you get closer to the waterfall. Enjoy taking in the scenery without having to focus on the road.
How to get to Nungnung Waterfall on a Scooter
Taking a scooter is the best way to get to Nungnung waterfall. We always recommend the DIY option and renting a scooter in Bali is so much fun. It’s the cheapest, the most convenient and the most popular way to get around the island.
Scooter rentals start at only 50,000 Rupiah (3.50$ USD) per day. Expect to pay an additional 30,000 – 40,000 Rupiah for a full tank of petrol.
Our favorite place to rent a scooter in Bali is J & D motorbike rental in Canggu.
Although you don’t need a license to rent a scooter in Bali, you should have an international drivers license with you. Check your travel insurance to be sure you’re properly covered before hitting the road.
If it’s your first time visiting Bali, we know renting a scooter comes with many questions. Luckily for you, we go over all of them in this complete and comprehensive guide to renting a scooter in Bali!
Driving our scooter up to nungnung waterfall
How to get to Nungnung Waterfall by Car
If you aren’t comfortable on a scooter in a foreign country, no need to worry! You can easily get to Nungnung with a private car. The cost is between 600,000 – 700,000 Rupiah and is typically for 8 hours including petrol.
You can usually easily find a reputable driver in Bali through your accommodation. The driver will pick you up as early as you need and take you wherever you’d like. Hiring a driver in Bali is a great option if you’re a small group or have a young family.
What to Expect at Nungnung Waterfall
When you arrive at Nungnung, you will be greeted by some of the locals. They will offer you drinks and snacks to purchase for your trip and point you to the entrance.
There are precisely 509 steps leading down to the waterfall which take about 15 minutes to walk down. If it’s raining, this will take quite a bit longer since it can get slippery. Since Nung Nung is located in the thick jungle it does get quite humid so make sure to bring lots of water!
After getting down all those cursed steps, you’ll hear the rushing water from the falls getting closer. Finally, after crossing two small bridges and passing another smaller waterfall, you’ll see the main attraction.
Nungnung is the most powerful waterfall we’ve seen in Bali – and we’ve visited quite a few! As soon as you reach the end of the footpath you feel the cool mist in the air.
Once you’ve made your way down to the small canyon, you’ll be surrounded on all sides by lush jungle, ferns blowing in the wind and the mammoth waterfall gushing from the forest far above you.
Nungnung Waterfall Entrance Fee (Updated 2023)
The entrance fee at Nungnung waterfall is currently set at 20,000 Rupiah per person (1.50$ USD).
The parking fee for your scooter is an additional 2,000 Rupiah (a few cents). The motorbike parking is the one furthest down the hill to the left of the entrance.
Nungnung waterfall opening hours are from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM but you can arrive earlier and pay on your way out. We always show up before the official opening hours and on each occasion there was someone there to collect the entry fee.
Like all attractions around Bali, you’ll want to get to the waterfall in the morning. Our rule is the earlier the better, but we feel like the perfect time here is around 8 AM. By then, you’ll have enough light for photos and there won’t be many other people around.
By the time we left the waterfall it was around 10 AM and there was still only a few other people there!
Opening Hours and When to Visit
Nungnung waterfall opening hours are from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM but you can arrive earlier and pay on your way out. We always show up before the official opening hours and on each occasion there was someone there to collect the entry fee.
Like all attractions around Bali, you’ll want to get to the waterfall in the morning. Our rule is the earlier the better, but we feel like the perfect time here is around 8 AM. By then, you’ll have enough light for photos and there won’t be many other people around.
By the time we left the waterfall it was around 10 AM and there was still only a few other people there!
The Best Photography Spots
There are several great photography spots at Nungnung where you can get some great travel photos for the old IG. Our favorites are the ones which show off the incredible scale of this waterfall. These are the best photo spots at Nungnung!
- From the base of the stairs shooting a subject close to the waterfall (see photo below right)
- From the “beach” on the opposite side of the canyon. Be careful getting here with your equipment as you have to wade through the river (see photos at the top of this article)
- If you get onto the rocks in the river, you can shoot someone on the bridge with the rushing water in the background (see photo below left)
- Drone photos are always epic in Bali. You probably won’t have enough signal at the base of the canyon to fly, but you can easily take off from the parking lot.
Can you Swim in Nungnung Waterfall?
Yes! We totally recommend taking a dip in the cool refreshing water. It’s a great way to cool off after the hike down. Please do be careful though and don’t swim too close to the waterfall itself. No lifeguards on duty here!
What to pack for Nungnung Waterfall?
- Camera bag : Wandrd Prvke 31L Backpack + Camera Cube
- Mirrorless camera : Sony a7 III
- DSLR camera : Nikon d5600
- Favorite lens : Nikon 35mm f/1.8
- Drone : DJI Mavic Pro
- Tripod : Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod
- Flexible tripod : 5KG Gorilla pod
- Powerbank : Anker High Capacity
- Hard drive : La Cie Rugged Mini 2TB
You can read our entire Bali packing list here!
What to do After Visiting Nungnung Waterfall
Check out the Nungnung Swing
The entrepreneurial folks at Nungnung have of course set up another Bali swing for you to enjoy. We endorse swings only to encourage the local economy but to be honest, they’re a huge tourist trap.
Price for the swing is set at 300,000 Rupiah (yes you heard right, over 20 USD). We hear you can usually negotiate down to about 100,000 Rupiah, so make sure to haggle!
Grab Brunch in Bali’s Best Cafes
If you’ve listened to our advice and have visited Nungnung first thing in the morning, you’ll probably be mighty hungry! We always grab a big breakfast at one of our favorite spots after every morning waterfall adventure.
If you’re headed to Ubud, check out Kafe!
Headed back to Canggu? check out Copenhagen or Crate Cafe!
Visit Leke Leke Waterfall
You can also visit another great waterfall on your way back if you have the energy. Leke Leke waterfall is located just off the main road, about a 30 minute drive away from Nungnung.
It’s another one of our personal favorites in Bali and can be reached after another steep 15 minute walk from the parking lot.
The Leke Leke entrance fee is 50,000 Rupiah. Parking is free.
Oh and there’s a swing at Leke Leke too – if that’s your thing…
Why is Nungnung the Best Waterfall in Bali?
We take waterfalls very seriously around here so this decision took a lot of thought. Although we still feel like Sekumpul waterfall is the most beautiful in Bali, Nungnung is the best waterfall to visit in Bali for a few reasons.
- It’s location much more convenient when compared to other waterfalls such as Sekumpul, Munduk and Aling Aling
- Nungnung is the most powerful waterfall on the island and the scenery is breathtaking
- There were less than half a dozen other people there during all three of our visits
- The road to get to Nungnung is quite safe as it was recently repaved
- This road takes you though some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bali
Read Next: All the best waterfalls in Bali in our complete waterfall guide!
Hotels Near Nungnung waterfall
We’ve always chosen to come to Nung Nung as a day trip from Ubud. If you come here in the late afternoon, or want to check out other attractions in North Bali you may want to stay the night in the area. Here are some of the best hotels to do just that:
Midrange Option:
Ekommunity Bali Farmstay and Yoga: Incredible glamping experience in Munduk. These glamping tents are a perfect base to explore more waterfalls in north Bali.
Read about our experience at Ekommunity Bali here!
Luxury Option:
Bagus Agro Pelaga: A wonderful Agrotourism farm located in the jungles of Bali.
