Suwat Waterfall, Bali – Secret Natural Pool Near Ubud

Located in a small town of the same name, Suwat waterfall in central Bali is one of those off-the-beaten-path type places. A 15 metre high waterfall leisurely drops from the jungle clifftop into a deep natural pool. Suwat waterfall features a hidden cave just behind the falls and large mossy boulders reminiscent of a fairytale. 

To fully experience the majestic Suwat waterfall, make sure to put aside a couple hours of your day. To make the most of your trip, follow my guide below.

READ MORE | Make sure to visit Tukad Cepung waterfall, one of the most unique waterfalls in Bali

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How to Get to Suwat Waterfall Bali

Topping off the north end of the waterfall trail that includes Tibumana and Kanto Lampo waterfall, Suwat waterfall is located just 30 minutes drive east from the yogi capital of Ubud. If you are visiting from the Canggu or Seminyak area, the drive will take you 1.5 hours and take you through some hectic traffic. 

Google maps directions are quite accurate here, so don’t worry, it won’t lead you astray.

Suwat Waterfall Location

Transportation to Suwat Waterfall Bali

Rent a Scooter

The fastest way to get to Suwat waterfall is by scooter. As the main form of transportation in Indonesia, this will get you from A to B the most efficiently. If you plan to rent a scooter, just ask at your accommodation. Make sure you have an international driver’s license from your home country, and at least a couple of lessons on how to properly drive a scooter. The roads in Bali can be dangerous, so this will help set you up for success. 

BOOK | Cheap Bali Scooter Rental

Hire a Car and Driver

If renting a scooter is not your jam (I don’t blame you), then opt to hire a car and driver to take you to Suwat waterfall. This service starts at $40 USD. Ask your villa owner or hotel concierge and they can set you up with one. In my opinion, it’s overpriced, so renting a car with a driver should be your last option. 

BOOK | Private Car with Driver

Suwat Waterfall Entrance Fee

The Suwat waterfall entrance fee is 15,000 IDR (about $1.10 USD). There is also a dirt parking lot free of charge.

Suwat Waterfall Opening Hours

Suwat waterfall is open 8AM – 6PM daily. Make sure to check for local holidays as normally these types of attractions will be closed.

What to Expect at Suwat Waterfall Bali

Once you’ve arrived safely in the parking lot, you will immediately notice the small ticket booth before the entrance to the waterfall. Pay your fee and continue through the instagrammable entrance gate made of wicker. 

Make your way through the bamboo forest along a simple path. Down a few sets of easy stairs and you will make it to the landing with a small warung offering soft drinks and instant noodles, showers and a restroom. 

To the left, you will see Suwat waterfall framed by ancient mossy boulders. These rocks have fascinating carvings of turtles and fish and make for a cool photograph in and of itself. In order to reach the epic falls, you will need to do a bit of a scramble over these boulders, so please if you are not sure of foot, it may be wise to stay in the rest area. 

Once you’ve made it through, you will be graced with a beautiful 15 meter high rush of water, that features a large natural pool, and raft to float on. Swimming is allowed here so make sure to bring your swimmers and if you want a true Indiana Jones moment, check out the cave hidden behind the falls. 

We were the only foreigners here, with a group of local boys enjoying their morning off. Take some time to explore every nook and cranny and chat with locals if you are up for it, they are very friendly. 

Best Time to visit Suwat Waterfall Bali

The best time to visit Suwat waterfall is between 8am and 11am to avoid many other visitors. Although this is one of the lesser busy waterfalls in Bali, it’s popularity is growing. 

Why not visit the beautiful Tibumana Waterfall, Bali at the same time

Photography at Suwat Waterfall

If you are a photographer and visiting Suwat waterfall, I wouldn’t be overly concerned with getting the best light here. No matter what time of day you go, the falls will likely be in shadow since the area is densely forested. 

After visiting, I feel confident in recommending a wide-angle lens for this location. The waterfall, natural pool and boulders are all quite wide and short in composition, so you’d be smart to bring a 16-35mm. I used a 24-70mm lens in all the photos taken in this blog, so you can see what I mean by how narrow it feels. 

There are a couple of great photo spots to consider. The first one is just on top of the large boulder overlooking the waterfall. Have your subject stand there, as the falls and natural pool make for a beautiful backdrop. 

Secondly, off to the right-hand side of the boulders is a long thin rock. Be careful walking out on this, as it’s really not very safe due to the moss growing on top. Your subject can stand here and look up into the light and the ravine behind gives a great sense of depth.

Because the cavern is quite dark, raising your ISO will be necessary. Lower your shutter speed to get a nice smooth waterfall, if you desire.

What to Bring to Suwat Waterfall Bali

With any attraction, it’s always a good idea to prepare and bring a few items that will make your trip better.

Here are my recommendations:

CAMERA WIPES | This is so important! Don’t leave your hotel without it. I went through quite a few wipes trying to keep the mist from the waterfall off my lens

Where to Stay in Ubud

You will likely already find yourself in Ubud on your Bali itinerary so this is a great starting point for your trip. It’s a 30 min drive east to Suwat waterfall. 

Ubud is full of beautiful and unique places to stay, but here I’ve whittled it down to my favourites:

STONE HOUSE | Upscale guest house complex, with traditional open-air living rooms, beautiful bathtubs, continental breakfast, and a common area that comes with a large pool. Prices and availability.

THE UDAYA RESORT | My 5-star resort option. Comes equipped with a large infinity pool, spa, organic restaurant, and anything else you could possibly imagine. Prices and availability.

More Tropical Bali Inspiration

12 TOP THINGS TO DO IN EAST BALI | Discover all the epic things to see in this region including temples, stunning viewpoints, water palaces, and more.

LAHANGAN SWEET, BALI | Located on top of a mountain overlooking Mount Agung on one side and the East Bali coastline on the other. Lahangan Sweet is a must-visit location.

BUKIT CINTA, BALI | One of the best viewpoints of Mount Agung, Bali’s active volcano. Go for sunrise and you won’t be disappointed

TIBUMANA WATERFALL, BALI | Who can resist a picture-perfect Bali waterfall? Check out this gem located a 30-minute scooter ride from the yoga centre of Ubud 

TUKAD CEPUNG WATERFALL, BALI | A unique waterfall nestled inside a mossy cave in central Bali

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