GEMBLENG WATERFALL BALI - A Complete Guide

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.

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.

Click here for the exact pin location on Google maps.

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 & guide
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Drinking water
Petrol

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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 compared to other waterfalls on the island and the extensive view and backdrop are absolutely stunning no matter what time you visit.

On rare occasions, there are still religious ceremonies performed at Gembleng Waterfall. During these times the waterfall is closed to the public.

GEMBLENG WATERFALL ENTRANCE FEE

This particular waterfall is a holy place and it was originally 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 tourist destination.

There is no official ticket price to visit the falls, but a donation is welcome. It’s up to you how much you’d like to spend but something around 20,000 IDR is acceptable ($1.40).

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WHAT TO EXPECT

You can expect to plunge into infinity-style rock pools with the most epic view of the jungle and nearby rice fields. 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.

MUST READ: 21 BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP

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 wish 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, formed 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 and 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:

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:

WHAT TO PACK FOR BALI

When visiting Bali, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;

Sunscreen – the Balinese sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.

If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;

GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.

BEST TOURS IN BALI

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free

Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!

MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES

Bali Travel Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary
Bali Waterfalls Guide: Best Bali Waterfalls
Bali Beaches Guide: Best Beaches In Uluwatu
Nusa Penida Guide: Things To Do In Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan Guide: Things To Do In Lembongan
Nusa Ceningan Guide: Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan

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!

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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