Suwat Waterfall: The azure blue hidden gem
Suwat Waterfall is a stunning hidden gem that’s less than 30 minutes from Ubud, and has the most beautiful azure blue waters that you can possibly hope for! Suwat Waterfall is located north east of Ubud, and there’s plenty of sights worth seeing along the way.
You might recognise the rustic bamboo rafts floating on the topaz blue waters as you’re surrounded by thick forest vegetation. It’s not hard to see why people feel so at peace at Suwat Waterfall. You’ll occasionally find these azure blue gems dotted over South East Asia, and they are incredibly spectacular attracting people from all over the world!
Consider reading my complete guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Best tours in Ubud:
| Don’t miss some of the best tours in Ubud, whether you’re after some adventure or a serene escape, there’s something for you. Ubud waterfall tours – for insta famous waterfalls or serene retreats, have a look here! Quad biking in Ubud – if you’re after adrenaline adventure, this is for you! Ubud Hot Air balloons – for scenic, stunning views, have a look at this experience White water rafting – a lot of fun for thrill seekers! Rice Terraces tour – for a serene escape, have a look at this tour. |
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Suwat Waterfall Gianyar Bali
This hidden treasure of a cascade that is Suwat Waterfall can be found in Bali’s Gianyar regency, not too far from Ubud (a 27 minute drive to be exact). Ubud, also sits in the Gianyar regency, so it’s a short journey. It remains relatively untouched by the tourist crowd, making it one of the more serene waterfalls to explore and with it’s beautiful blue waters, it’s surely one of the best waterfalls to visit. There’s a fantastic natural pool for a refreshing swim and capturing picturesque moments. And guess what? You’ll have the chance to ride on those iconic bamboo rafts, creating the perfect holiday memory at Suwat Waterfall.
Suwat Waterfall Hike
The pathway leading to Suwat Waterfall is quite straightforward and guides you through a brief bamboo forest, with lush tropical vegetation accompanying your journey.
You can take a dip in a spacious natural pool, and there’s even a cavern concealed behind the waterfall for the adventurous souls to venture into – if you dare! Suwat Waterfall, also recognized as Air Terjun Suwat amongst the locals in Bahasa and is a hidden gem waiting for your exploration!
Nearby…
Nearby is Taman Sari Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall, and Goa Rang Reng Waterfall. Perhaps it’s worth a pit stop to some of these hotspots?
TIP: If you want to stay in a hotel nearby, have a look at the Best Eco Lodges in Bali.
This Bali waterfall is open to tourists all year. But be wary of the water levels during the rainy season or monsoon season: it is safer to visit Suwat Waterfall during the dry season. The dry season in Indonesia is usually from May to October.
A lot of Balinese waterfalls are sacred sites, for various reasons. Sometimes this is because the water has the divine blessing of a sovereign ruler, or for the tradition of Melukat, which is about the sacred act of cleansing and purifying yourself. You can read more about Melukat below.
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit! Below is a shot of Waterfall Kanto Lampo – famous for having the Balinese guides!
If you’re brave… get in!
Go swimming! Ever heard of a waterfall massage? Head to the edge of the waterfall and gently ease yourself under the cascade for a pressure massage – not unlike the spas you’ll encounter all across Europe. We love it – we’re doing it every day!
Be careful though, the centre of Suwat Waterfall can have torrents of water falling down so you don’t want to jump in too quickly! Whilst I’m sure it won’t leave a mark, just be sure to look after yourself.
Suwat Waterfall Entrance Fee & Tickets
The entry fee to Suwat Waterfall is IDR 50,000 per person (£2.60 or $3 USD).
The admission fee for Suwat Waterfall is IDR 50,000, which is generally a tad more expensive than other water falls, likely in thanks to its more developed site; complete with wooden paths & walkways and a bamboo bridge!
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
Suwat Waterfall Opening Hours
Suwat Waterfall is generally open from 6am-6pm every day. Don’t hike back in the dark after the sun has set as it can get a little treacherous – not at all recommended. For this reason, I have included sunrise and sunset time in the ‘Weather’ section below.
Visiting Suwat Waterfall location & map
Make sure you save the location to your google maps so you know where to go!
Suwat Waterfall to Ubud: 27 minutes drive
The drive from Ubud is not that far but it does depend on traffic, so bear this in mind. Still, either way, it’s less than an hour’s drive!
Suwat Waterfall Map:
How to get to Suwat Waterfall Bali
Suwat waterfall is located just 27 minutes form Ubud Bali, so it’s less than an hour drive or taxi ride away.
Ubud to Suwat Waterfall: 27 minutes drive
You can either rent a scooter, hire a private car or book onto one of the famous waterfall tours on a day trip (have a look below).
Make sure you have insurance for the moped (ensure your rental company covers this), and make sure you have general travel insurance well. Better safe than sorry!
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Consider reading my full guide on the 21 waterfalls near Ubud you must visit for other ideas of places you should visit!
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Suwat Waterfall Restaurant
The nearest restaurant is Pakersian Restaurant which is a short 5-10 minute drive away from the waterfall, consider stopping here for a quick bite if you need to!
Best Ubud hotels & Eco Lodges
Looking for unique and interesting hotels? Have a look at my posts on Best Eco Lodges in Bali!
Sacred Cleansing: Melukat
Melukat, in Bahasa Indonesian is known as “melukat” or “melukatan,” is a traditional cleansing ritual that our local tour guide told us about when exploring these stunning Balinese waterfalls. Apparently it helps the local Balinese achieve physical, mental, and spiritual purity. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Bali, is how spiritual the locals are, with their daily blessings and incense sticks, it’s very lovely to see and watch little old ladies on the street prepare blessings for others to buy by folding banana leaves and adding flowers. The word “melukat” is broken down into “lukat” meaning “to cleanse” or “to purify.”
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
The tradition of Melukat:
- Purpose: Melukat is meant to cleanse from physical impurities and also purify the soul. Our guide also told us it gets rid of negative energies / spirits, and restores balance and harmony in life. You would typically do it at any big life events, illnesses, or after attending funerals.
- Process: Usually the melukat is done at a sacred water source, such as a river, a natural spring, a temple pond, or yes, you guessed it, a waterfall. I am told they tend to choose sites which are spiritually charged and are believed to have the power to purify and cleanse.
- Offerings: Offerings are a normal part of the melukat ceremony and used daily in Balinese culture; it’s wonderful to see people leaving offerings at different points throughout their homes, on the roads, outside your hotel rooms. The offerings often include flowers, rice, fruit, and almost always, incense. The offerings are a symbolic way of showing gratitude and they also hope to appease the deities and spirits that oversee the ceremony.
- Prayers and Chanting: It is typical that a priest or a knowledgeable elder prays or chants during the ceremony. Chanting is meant to amplify the prayers, who knew?
- Symbolism: A little bit similar to baptism, immsersing yourself in water is meant to cleanse you of both physical and spiritual impurities; it is thought that water absorbs negative energy.
- Traditional Attire: It is traditional to wear ceremonial clothing, which I got to wear once myself; it is usually white! I was dressed in a sarong, a lace top and a sash to keep it all together.
- Blessings and Protection: After the melukat, participants are blessed by whoever is hosting the ceremony (usually the priest or elder) and this is meant to give the individual protection and positive energy.
- Community involvement: Melukat ceremonies are often very sociable, and you are like to have your family members, friends, and neighbours coming together.
- Continuation of Tradition: Melukat is a deeply rooted Balinese tradition that continues to be practiced alongside other rituals and ceremonies in Balinese Hinduism. The Balinese people have very rich religious lifestyles and welcoming communities.
Have a look at my other Bali & Indonesia guides:
21 Ubud waterfalls you must visit
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Read more about Ceking Rice Terrace near Ubud, pictured below.
Best tours to the epic Suwat Waterfall
There are plenty of companies that will take you on an Ubud Waterfall Tour, or a Waterfall Tour in East Bali. A lot of the waterfalls tours will take you to other destinations and activities in the area on a full day tour, such as Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint, Tirta Gangga, and Mount Agung, although often trips can be customised, especially if it’s a personalised tour.
There are a tonne of attractions you could visit and things to see. You might want to visit local villages & parks, or spots such as:
- Ceking Rice Terrace (aka Tegallalang Rice Terrace)
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall
- Nungnung Waterfall
- Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking,
- Water rafting
- Banjar Mancingan Rice Trekking
- Tibumana Waterfall
Don’t forget to watch (or get on) some of the famous Bali swings for a fun afternoon out in Bali. There are also tours a little further out, like Nusa Penida if you’re interested, it is highly recommended!
Keep an eye out, you’ll likely spot tonnes of rice fields and luscious palm trees. It’s a great ride through the less touristy, and perhaps more authentic, Balinese countryside, an experience you should do at least once when you’re in Bali.
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
When it comes to Bali tours, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Have a look at my other Bali & Indonesia guides:
Lahangan Sweet: Epic East Bali viewpoint of Mount Agung
Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Have a look at my full guide on the 21 other waterfalls near Ubud you must visit:
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
When to visit Bali?
Weather in Ubud
Ubud Weather in January:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in February:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in March:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 13
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Ubud Weather in April:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in May:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in June:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 28°C (82.4°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in July:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 3
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in August:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Ubud Weather in September:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in October:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 11
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in November:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 16
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Ubud Weather in December:
- Average Temperature (Celsius): 27°C (80.6°F)
- Rainy Days: 18
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Travel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!
If you want to book onto a Ubud Waterfalls tour, have a look here, I always compare prices on Viator and Get Your Guide.
That’s it! I hope you found it useful and let me know how you get on! If you want to see more video content, have a look at my posts on Instagram.
Have a look at my other Bali & Indonesia travel guides:
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
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