This Waterfall in Indonesia Is One of the Most Unusual You’ll Visit — Just Wait Until You See Where It Is
If you’re after one of Bali’s most stunning waterfalls, Tukad Cepung definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Tucked inside a jungle cave, with light rays pouring through the mist and vines clinging to the rocky walls, it looks magical. But to experience that magic in peace, you need to get there early!
Because the falls are no secret anymore (like half of Bali, let’s be honest).
When James and I visited on our last trip, we didn’t realise we’d be wading through a rocky river to get there (spoiler: you will, and the rocks absolutely killed our feet). And by the time we arrived late morning, there was already a queue just to see the waterfall.
So if you want to actually enjoy your visit (and not spend 15 minutes waiting your turn while someone else does a full photoshoot), get there before 9am.
Here I’ll walk you through how to get there, what to pack, and how to reach it without absolutely shredding your feet.
How to Get There
Tukad Cepung isn’t close to any of the major towns, but it’s not too much of a mission to get to either. From Ubud or Sidemen, it’s about 45 minutes, and from Canggu, you’re looking at about an hour and fifteen (depending on traffic, it’s Bali after all).
If you’re happy riding a scooter, it’s a fun little trip with some lovely scenery along the way. But James and I aren’t exactly scooter savvy, so we hired a private driver for the day and added this as one of our stops.
Having a driver is way better value than shelling out for a tour that only takes you to one waterfall, as you can visit a few other places while you’re out for the day.
I wouldn’t recommend getting a Grab or Gojek (Bali’s version of Uber) to Tukad Cepung.
You’ll have no problem getting dropped off, but booking one to pick you up after? That’s where it will get tricky. The waterfall’s in a pretty remote spot, so there’s rarely any drivers around when you need them.
Drop this pin into Google Maps, it’ll take you straight to the car park.
Entrance Fee & Opening Hours
It costs 30,000 IDR (about £1.40) to visit Tukad Cepung, which is great if you’re doing Bali on a budget, and the falls are open every day from 7am to 6pm.
They don’t accept card payments, so make sure you’ve got some cash on you. Parking is free, which is always a nice little win!
If you want a shot at actually enjoying the falls and not just queuing for a photo, get there before 8am (9am at the very latest!). It gets busy fast, and the whole place loses its charm a bit once it’s packed with people and selfie sticks.
When James and I got there late in the morning, we had to wait around 15 minutes just to see the falls and take a quick photo. We didn’t wade through a rocky river for nothing, but still… it would’ve been way more peaceful if we’d made it earlier.
The Walk to the Waterfall
The walk down to Tukad Cepung takes about 15 minutes (it’s around a kilometre), but don’t expect a smooth, flat path… it’s anything but!
It starts off with a steep staircase and some uneven steps, which are even harder on the way back up. Luckily, there are a couple of cute little cafes dotted along the route in case you fancy a little breather.
After that, the path flattens out for a bit before you hit another short staircase, and then you’ll reach the river, where the real fun begins.
This is where James and I realised we’d well and truly fucked up. The river was only ankle-deep, but we’d rocked up in flip-flops, which was a big mistake.
The current kept pulling them sideways or straight off our feet, and the rocks underneath were so sharp, they had me questioning my life choices in that moment.
I actually hated this bit, and I was already dreading the walk back before we’d even reached the falls.
If you’ve got water shoes, do yourself a huge favour and pack them. Or wear trainers you don’t mind getting soaked, just something secure that won’t fall off mid-stream.
You’ll also need to scramble over a few rocks in the river before you reach the opening to the falls.
What to Expect When You Reach It
Once you’ve made your way through the river, you’ll step into a wide opening where jungle vines hang from above and sunlight slices through the mist. It’s seriously beautiful, with glowing light beams and mossy canyon walls. There are some huge boulders scattered around too.
These boulders are a great spot for a dramatic-looking photo. Someone’s even stuck a little ladder around the back of them so you can climb up and get a cool shot. If you do decide to do this, be careful! The rocks get really slippery, and they’re pretty high once you’re standing on top of them.
To see Tukad Cepung, you’ll need to follow the path around the big rocks, and you’ll spot the narrow gap where the actual waterfall is tucked away. If you’ve managed to get there before 9am, you might even have it (mostly) to yourself.
James and I were not that lucky, we turned the corner and walked straight into a queue of people waiting to get the photo. It was a bit of a buzzkill, especially after the rocky riverbed situation, but it is still stunning.
The falls sit in a small cavern, and when the sun shines through from above, it’s seriously pretty. The best light is meant to be between 9am and 11am, but honestly, if it’s a sunny day, you’ve got a decent chance of catching the sun rays.
The water here is shallow, so you won’t be going for a swim, but it’s a gorgeous spot to take in for a few minutes, especially if you get it at the right time.
The Best Time To Visit
If you want to actually enjoy Tukad Cepung without getting stuck in a queue, you should aim to arrive before 9am. And if you can drag yourself out of bed even earlier, even better.
I know it’s a bit of a mission, especially if you’re coming from Canggu or further out, but it really does get busy here. No one wants to be elbowing their way through a crowd just to see a waterfall.
You could go later in the day when the crowds start to thin out again (late afternoon can be quieter), but you might miss the sun rays, which could be one of the main reasons you’re visiting.
Apparently, the light beams are strongest between 9am and 11am. But honestly, as long as it’s a sunny day, I think you’ve got a decent shot of seeing them.
The falls are open year-round, but if you’re visiting during Bali’s rainy season, definitely check the forecast before you go. The river can rise fast, and walking through it when it’s flooding isn’t just annoying, but it can be seriously dangerous. It’s best to wait for a dry day to visit.
The steps down get extra slippery too, so take it slow and maybe skip the flip-flops for this one.
What to Bring
So don’t do what I did and show up totally unprepared; I’m sure I don’t need to remind you about the whole flip-flop and river fiasco. Here’s what you actually need to bring:
👟 Shoes you can get wet. Water shoes are ideal, but old trainers you don’t mind soaking will do.
👙 Swimsuit (optional). You can’t really swim here, but it’s handy if you want to stand under the falls for a photo without drenching your clothes.
🏖️ Towel & change of clothes. In case you end up wetter than planned (and you probably will).
📱 Waterproof bag. For your phone, camera, or anything you don’t want getting soaked.
💸 Cash. For the entrance fee and maybe a drink or snack at the little cafés on the way down.
Tips for Visiting Tukad Cepung
Here are a few things worth knowing before you head off to Tukad Cepung Waterfall, which will save you some hassle!
⚠️ Watch your step. The stairs are steep, uneven, and can be really slippery, especially if it’s been raining. You’ll need decent mobility to get all the way down to the falls.
🌧️ Skip it if it’s been pouring. The river levels can rise fast, and it’s just not worth the risk. If heavy rain is forecast, save Tukad Cepung for another day.
⏰ Get there early. Before 9 am is perfect if you actually want to see the waterfall without a queue of people waiting for their turn in front of it.
💵 Bring small notes. The entrance fee is 30,000 IDR (about £1.40), and they don’t take card. Having a few smaller notes also makes it easier if you want to grab a drink or snack at one of the little cafés on the way down.
🏊 Don’t plan on swimming. The water is ankle-deep (knee-deep if you stand under the falls), but it’s not the place for a proper dip.
🚶 Going solo? You don’t need a guide here, the trail’s pretty straightforward. But if you’re travelling on your own, let someone know where you’re going and be careful on the steps, especially if you’re there before anyone else.
Other Waterfalls Nearby
If you’ve made the effort to get out here, it’s worth turning it into a little waterfall-hopping day. There are a couple of really good ones nearby that are easy to add to your route.
Goa Raja Waterfall
I haven’t actually been to Goa Raja yet, but it’s only about 10 minutes from Tukad Cepung, so it makes total sense to combine the two.
It used to be one of the super off the beaten track spots, but like everywhere in Bali, it doesn’t stay secret for long.
From what I’ve seen, the entrance fee is 25,000 IDR, and the walk to the falls looks pretty similar to Tukad Cepung, with a few river crossings and some steps.
There’s now a man-made pool near the base, so it doesn’t feel quite as wild as some of the other waterfalls in Bali, but if you’re already nearby, it’s worth a quick stop.
This is the car park location on Google Maps.
Tibumana Waterfall
Tibumana is one I have been to, on my second trip to Bali, and I loved it! It’s about 30 minutes from Tukad Cepung, and it still feels really peaceful if you get there early.
When James and I visited, we rocked up first thing and had the place totally to ourselves. By the time we were packing up to leave, about 45 minutes later, one other couple showed up, and that was it!
The water here is deeper than Tukad Cepung (it came up to my hips), so you can actually get in for a proper dip.
You’ll find Tibumana waterfall here.
Is Tukad Cepung Waterfall Worth It?
I’d say yes, but only if you go early. Turn up after 9am and you’ll probably spend more time standing in a queue than actually enjoying the waterfall.
Go first thing and it feels completely different. The light rays, the jungle cavern, even the wade through the river, it can feel a bit magical when you’re not sharing it with a hundred other people.
Would I go again? Definitely, but next time I’ll be getting up at sunrise!
And if you’re heading out this way, don’t just stop at Tukad Cepung, make a day of it. There are other waterfalls nearby and some of Bali’s prettiest rice fields in this area, which are the perfect next stop (I’ve got a whole guide to those, too).
