Before you visit Nungnung Waterfall in Bali, there’s something you should know. Nungnung Waterfall is very challenging to get to and we think that’s a good thing.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Nungnung Waterfall and what you need to do to get the best out of your experience there.
Where Is Nungnung Waterfall?
There are three ways to get to Nungnung Waterfall:
Private car and driver – this has the advantage that you can set your own itinerary for a day trip and you can include other local highlights such as the Sangeh Monkey Forest, or a coffee plantation, with ease. This option is very cost-effective and the driver can keep an eye on your possessions while you’re at the waterfalls which makes it easier to climb down with only the things you really need to enjoy Nungnung Waterfall.
Organized tour – you could also see Nungnung Waterfall on an organized tour. It won’t cost much less than a private driver and car, mind you, and it means that you will have to adhere to the schedule of the tour operator. However, it can be a great way for solo travellers to make new friends and enjoy some company as they explore the island.
Scooter – we never recommend making a day trip on a scooter. It’s hard to be road-legal in Bali and if you’re not road-legal, you’re not insured. It’s also far too easy to get into an accident when exploring the roads here as they’re not in the best shape and local driving standards can be hard to get used to as well. We’d recommend that you spend a little more on a tour or driver and enjoy the waterfalls safely.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Nungnung Waterfall?
There is no “best time of year” to visit Nungnung Waterfall because of the size of this waterfall, you won’t find that it dries up during the dry season and thus, there’s no need to make a special trip in the wet season to see it.
However, as with nearly all of the best waterfalls in Bali, if you want to get the most out of your visit and enjoy the main waterfall without distractions from other people, early morning is the best time to arrive at Nungnung Waterfall.
Not only does this keep the crowds to a minimum but it also provides some of the best lighting for taking pictures while you’re there.
What’s The Nungnung Waterfall Entrance Fee?
As we go to press, the entrance fee for Nungnung Waterfall is just 20,000 IDR per person (that’s about $2 AUD or $1.25 USD).
You pay this entrance fee in the parking lot (there is an additional charge of 2,000 IDR for using the parking area) and that’s all you need to pay.
You may be accosted by some enterprising locals who will try and sell you guide services on top of the entrance fees but there’s no need to pay for guide services here, so just politely decline and move on.
What To Expect At Nungnung Waterfall?
Stairs. Lots of stairs. It’s not so bad on the way down as the 500 steep stairs cut into the cliff side will only take about 15 minutes to climb down but getting back up again is much harder work.
We’re reasonably fit and it took 45 minutes of real exertion to get back to the car park from the waterfall.
That means Nungnung Waterfall is not really suitable for people with mobility issues, or fitness issues and given the size of some of the steps, it’s not going to be ideal for the very young or the very old, either.
It’s worth the effort of climbing all those stairs as Nungnung Waterfall is one of the tallest in Bali and the cascade drops over 50 meters (165 feet) from the river above to the pool below.
In our experience, this trek tends to put most visitors off and it’s much less busy at Nungnung Waterfall than at other spectacular waterfalls here in Bali.
However, for some reason, it’s become quite popular in recent years with wedding parties for photo opportunities and you may find that if you arrive in the afternoon, you have to jostle for space with the photographers and their crew.
One thing you should be aware of is that the Bali Swing is very near the entrance to this waterfall and thus if you want the extra dramatic Instagram shot that it provides – you might want to do that before you walk down to the waterfall and get all sweaty.
Photography Tips At Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung Waterfall is incredibly photogenic but if you want to get the best possible pictures you might want to consider:
Taking a wide-angle lens. This is a big waterfall and there’s not a lot of space to back up and get a wider point of view, so make sure to take a wide-angle lens if you want to get it all in the frame.
Taking a tripod. The best waterfall photos tend to be long exposures where the water gushes flow together into one creamy texture. You can’t hand hold for this kind of shot, you need a tripod.
Taking an ND-filter. If you want long-exposure photos in the bright light of day, an ND-filter is your friend.
Taking a CPL-filter. This will help get the water and sky looking the shade you want it to. Youc an combine a CPL with an ND in most filter systems to get amazing effects.
What To Take To Nungnung Waterfall
It’s a good idea to take a few things with you when you visit Nungnung Waterfall and these include:
A bathing suit – if you want to swim, you can and the water is fresh and pleasantly cool. However, do watch out for the current as it can be surprisingly strong.
A change of clothes – there are changing rooms in the car parking area and you’re likely to get very wet during your visit to the waterfall. As soon as you get near Nungnung Waterfall the power of the falls creates a fine mist that will soak you through.
A rain poncho – given the length of the hike to and from the waterfall, it’s best to bring something to keep yourself relatively dry on the trip.
Dry bag – if you’re bringing anything that you’d prefer to stay dry, you will want a dry bag to pack your stuff in.
Snacks and drinks – you can buy things in the parking lot but once you’re down by the waterfall, you’re on your own. It helps to have some cold drinks and small snacks on hand.
Shoes with grip – whether or not it rains, the rocks can get a bit slippery as can the steps, so it’s best to have shoes that can keep you upright.
Other Waterfalls To Visit In Bali
Tibumana Waterfall
This hidden waterfall is one of the most beautiful, in our opinion, in Bali. You can get some amazing Instagram shots here and even frolic with butterfiles in the right season.
Just don’t swim in the waterfall here as the water can knock loose large stones which then fall down on people below. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
This multi-tiered waterfall has an incredible rock formation for the water to flow over and it makes for amazing images (particularly long-exposure shots).
It’s quite easy to get to Kanto Lampo and that makes it a great choice for a family day out near Ubud.
Suwat Waterfall
This hidden gem near Ubud is one of our absolute favourites. It’s super easy to get to and incredibly dramatic.
We have no idea why it’s not more popular, but you can be certain that it will be soon. Don’t miss out on Suwat Waterfall.
Gitgit Waterfall
This attractive waterfall is the absolute opposite of Nungnung Waterfall in terms of accessibility and it’s one of the easiest falls on the island to get to.
Gitgit is super popular with visitors though and you will want to get there early in the day if you want to see it without big crowds of people.
Tegenungan Waterfall
This gorgeous waterfall is in the base of a steep ravine and it’s a great place to spend some time admiring the power and majest of nature in Bali.
It’s incredibly popular with local visitors, mind you, and we’d recommend making this the first stop on your itinerary if you don’t want to share it with large crowds.
FAQs
Is Nungnung Waterfall Worth Visiting?
Yes! In fact, we can’t think of how visiting Nungnung Waterfall in Bali would result in a bad experience, as long as you’re physically fit enough to get there in the first place.
It can be a bit of a challenge to reach Nungnung waterfall but once you do, this hidden gem offers a magical atmosphere and it’s one of the best waterfalls of them all if you enjoy a powerful waterfall cascade.
Air Terjun Nungnung also provides amazing photo opportunities and stunning views among the lush jungle of Northern Bali.
If you’re thinking of a day out in the rice terraces, we’d recommend that you combine it with a visit to Nungnung Waterfall as it’s a truly beautiful waterfall.
How Many Steps Are There At Nungnung Waterfall?
To get near Nungnung Waterfall, you will need to tackle quite a lot of steps after paying the entrance fee in the car park.
There are over 500 steep stairs to get to Nungnung Waterfall and in the rainy season you need to take your time or you could easily slip on the slippery path.
We recommend wearing water shoes or shoes with strong grip and slowly climbing up or down to minimize any chances of injury.
This natural wonder is worth the effort of the climb and in fact, many say that it’s “half the fun” of a visit to Nungnung Waterfall as it makes the view even more worthwhile!
What Is The Most Stunning Waterfall In Bali?
This is completely subjective and some lists have placed Nungnung Waterfall as the most impressive in Bali, while others have opted for Gitgit Waterfall or Sekumpul Waterfall, instead.
We have to confess that we think it’s going to be hard to be unimpressed with a waterfall here in Bali, particularly if you visit during the rainy season when the water is at its strongest.
Nungnung Waterfall is one of our favourites and it’s not far from our favourite monkey forest, the Sangeh Monkey Forest, so it’s a great place to add to your Bali itinerary if you want to explore the area between Central Bali and Northern Bali.
How To Arrange A Holiday Trip To Nungnung Waterfall?
We’d recommend that you visit Nungnung Waterfall by arranging a tour or private driver through the awesome Bali Res Centre which is a local specialist travel service.
They can also help you book flights and arrange accommodation here in Bali and they will ensure that you get very competitive pricing.
One reason that we love the Bali Res Centre is that when you work with them, you ensure that your holiday spending stays in Bali and isn’t sent overseas to enrich a multinational corporation at the expense of the island’s economy.
Final Thoughts On The Impressive Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung Waterfall in Bali is not the easiest place to get to on the island but it’s one of the most impressive places you could visit and because it’s hard to get to, it’s one that you’re not going to share with too many other visitors.
The Bali Swing is also right next door to the Nungnung Waterfall which means you can get two incredible experiences in the same trip without trying very hard.
If you’re looking to enjoy a waterfall that offers something a bit extra when compared to other Bali waterfalls, Nungung Waterfall is it.
