Avoid Large Crowds In Bali & Swim At This Peaceful Waterfall With A Gorgeous, Natural Pool

When Ubud starts to feel a bit overwhelming during your trip to Bali, it is time to go searching for hidden waterfalls. Suwat Waterfall is the perfect escape from the crowds and the heat. You just have to find this lesser-visited spot first.

Ubud is the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali. So it is not surprising that more than 3 million people visit the area each year. But most visitors stick to the center of town. They do not explore the rice fields and the rainforest, the rivers and the waterfalls of Gianyar, the regency that extends all the way to Bali's southeast coast. You can raft through Bali's hidden jungle canyons along the Ayung River here. You can also find natural pools that the hordes have not discovered yet. Suwat Waterfall is one of those peaceful places.

To reach Suwat Waterfall, you can either rent a scooter or hire a driver for the day. Though it is less than 10 miles from the center of Ubud, the drive will take almost half an hour. Head east before veering north on narrow, palm-lined roads, and the entrance to the waterfall is found where the road ends. You would never know it was there if it were not for the red sign above the entrance gate. Yes, the gate is in the shape of a turtle, a nod to when the area was highly populated by them.

From the entrance, where you will pay 40,000 IDR (about $2.50 USD), it's an easy walk to the waterfall. The well-maintained footpath meanders around a rice field, through a picturesque bamboo forest, and down stone steps. The tropical plants are lush and green. There are even vendors selling drinks and snacks along the way. Stone carvings in the shapes of turtles and fish stand at the end of the path. So does a well-placed bathroom and changing room. Your focus has already turned to the water, though.

How could it not? The scene in front of you is gorgeous. A waterfall, surrounded by rocks and greenery, drops into a large pool. Though it's only about 15 meters tall (nearly 50 feet), the waterfall flows all year, even during the dry season. The water below is crystal clear and perfect for a swim. You can also jump off the rocks or float on a locally made bamboo raft. Best of all, while you likely won't have the place to yourself, there typically are not large crowds.  

After cooling off in the pool of water, there is one more thing you should do at Suwat Waterfall — climb into the cave behind it. Depending on the water level and how slippery the rocks are, it can be hard to reach. But if you time it right, particularly when the sunlight hits it in the afternoon, you might see colorful rainbows through the sprays of water, taking in the beauty before you dive back into the pool right beneath the waterfall. Refreshing is an understatement.

Though it might end up being your favorite, Suwat Waterfall is not the only stunning waterfall on Bali. If you head northeast, into the Bangli Regency, you will find Tukad Cepung. This Instagram-famous curtain waterfall in Indonesia has a uniquely enchanting look. Closer to the North Coast, in the Buleleng Regency, you will discover Kroya Waterfall. This beautiful Bali waterfall forms the best natural waterslide to satisfy any thrill-seeker. Then, you might just keep searching for more hidden waterfalls. You are sure to see the best of Bali along the way.