Gembleng Waterfall (Air Terjun Gembleng) is a beautiful little waterfall on the less-touristy side of Bali. It’s not a huge waterfall but the infinity-style rock pools that you can plunge in and enjoy the breathtaking views make it well worth visiting.
I have put together this complete guide to help plan your adventure including how to get here, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive at these stunning falls.
RELATED ARTICLE → 2 WEEK BALI ITINERARY
Want cheap flights to Bali? Check out CheapOair to book now and travel for less!
Have you got travel insurance for Bali? We all know accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS GEMBLENG WATERFALL
Gembleng Waterfall is located in the Karangasem region, and in the village of Sidemen on the east side of Bali.
From the main tourist hubs of Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta, it’s approximately a 2.5-hour drive. If you happen to be staying in Ubud, it’s a shorter distance which takes around 2 hours.
I can also recommend spending a couple of days at Hideout Bali, an incredible bamboo home in Sideman, and from here, it’s only a 30-minute drive to reach the waterfall.
HOW TO GET HERE?
The best and easiest way to get to east Bali is by scooter or by car.
If you are staying in the Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, or Ubud region, I recommend renting a scooter and making the 2.5-hour drive out to Karangasem in East Bali.
Don’t feel confident riding a scooter? Another great option for getting around Bali is to hire a private car and a driver for the day and experience all that the island has to offer.
Includes:
- Experienced Driver
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Mineral water
- Petrol
BOOK NOW → PRIVATE CAR WITH DRIVER
ENTRANCE FEE
This particular waterfall is a holy place and it was originally a place used by the Balinese people to carry out the tradition of melukat (cleaning themselves).
Over time, Air Terjun Gembleng began to open up to the public and is becoming an increasingly popular waterfall tourist destination.
There is no official ticket price, but a donation is welcome. It is up to you how much you’d like to spend but I recommend something around 20,000 IDR ($1.40).
BEST TIME TO VISIT
This is one of the few waterfalls in Bali where in my opinion any time of the day is a good time to visit.
It’s way less busy here than at other waterfalls and the view and backdrop are stunning at all times of the day.
On rare occasions, there are still religious ceremonies performed at Gembleng Waterfall. During these times the waterfall is closed for the public.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You can expect to plunge into infinity-style rock pools with the most epic view of the jungle, rice fields, and on clear days even the ocean. It’s truly a picture-perfect hidden gem.
To get to Gembleng Falls you actually walk up to it, unlike most Bali waterfalls which you walk down to. There are around 60 shallow and easy stairs that will lead you right to the top.
To get to the rock pools you need to walk across a suspended wooden bridge and scramble over some rocks. Watch out and take care because they can be quite slippery, but it’s not too far and the view at the end is 100% worth it.
While visiting, keep in mind this is a holy place for Balinese people so treat it with respect and pay attention to politeness, especially when meeting locals. They are sharing their beautiful country with you after all.
The natural infinity pool at the top is where you’ll be able to capture the best shots, and of course, be sure to go for a swim to cool off in this freshwater paradise.
Put your explorer’s cap on and go for a wander to the higher set of falls, or make your way down to the lower plunge pool. There is so much beautiful nature to find!
TIPS FOR VISITING
At the top of you will find a little Warung selling drinks, snacks, beers, and even Arak (local alcoholic spirit), so I recommend bringing some extra cash if you want to purchase something.
Definitely bring your swimmers, sunscreen, a towel, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet or flip-flops. And the number one thing you can’t forget is your camera!
RELATE ARTICLE → BEST CAMERA GEAR FOR TRAVEL
SUMMARY
Air Terjun Gembleng is a piece of art made by nature. A perfect little slice of paradise in paradise. Its incredibly beautiful scenery, as well as the history of the place, give it a very special, almost magical vibe.
Enjoy the atmosphere and the clear water in the natural jacuzzi while you relax and let your eyes wander over the tropical forest and rice terraces that surround you.
WHERE TO STAY
I would recommend spending a couple of days in the small coastal town of Amed when visiting East Bali. From Amed to these beautiful falls, it’s approximately a 1-hour drive.
Amed has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of my personal favorite places to stay in Amed to suit the needs of luxury travelers, budget backpackers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
LUXURY: GRIYA VILLAS & SPA
MID RANGE: BAYU COTTAGES
BUDGET: TITI SEDANA HOMESTAY
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN AMED, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
EAST BALI TOUR
Another alternative when planning a visit to East Bali is to book a full-day tour to see all the highlights.
The Best Of East Bali Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.
This tour covers some of the best highlights in East Bali including Pura Lempuyang Temple, Ujung Water Palace, Tirtagangga Water Temple, and more!
BOOK NOW → BEST OF EAST BALI TOUR
WHERE TO NEXT?
Ubud is not too far away from this location and boasts many amazing things to do such as rainforest yoga retreats, traditional arts and crafts, other-worldly rice terraces, raging waterfalls, monkey forests, and much more.
Ubud is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature for a few days away from the rat race. Whether you want to unwind and relax or adventure and explore, Ubud offers the best of both worlds.
Click on the links below to discover awesome things to do in and around Ubud:
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces
- Mount Agung Sunrise Viewpoint
- Ubud Elephant Sanctuary
- 10 Best Restaurants In Ubud
- Yellow Waterfall
- Hideout Bali Jungle Villa
AIRBNB BALI
Another option for accommodation when visiting East Bali is to stay in an Airbnb, which has some great deals!
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
BEST TOURS IN BALI
MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES
- Bali Travel Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary
- Bali Waterfalls Guide: 7 Best Bali Waterfalls
- Bali Beaches Guide: Best Beaches In Uluwatu
- Nusa Penida Guide: 15 Things To Do In Nusa Penida
- Nusa Lembongan Guide: 5 Things To Do In Lembongan
- Nusa Ceningan Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan
LONELY PLANET BALI
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Bali Guide!
BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET BALI
JOIN MY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
Do you have any questions about this post?
Join my Facebook Community and send me a message at any time for a quick response!
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
Do you want to travel full-time and get paid along the way?
Teaching English online is one of the easiest and most flexible jobs out there! Become a Digital Nomad, choose your own hours, and work remotely from anywhere in the world by teaching English online. All you need is a laptop, good WiFi connection, a TEFL certificate and you’re good to go!
Click here to get your TEFL certificate with MyTefl
MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!