Banyumala Twin Falls
The amphitheatre. The most beautiful swim in Bali.
Last updated July 2026
Quick Facts
- Where: Wanagiri, above Lake Buyan, about 2 hours from Ubud over the Bedugul pass
- Entry: Around 30,000 IDR plus small parking fee
- The walk: A steep 15 to 20 minute descent on mixed steps and dirt path, slippery when wet, sturdy shoes essential
- Swimming: Yes, in a wide, clear, shallow-edged pool that is arguably the most beautiful swimming spot on the island
- Drone: The bowl is tight and the spray is real; the better aerial work is at the nearby Wanagiri lake viewpoints
- Best window: Morning, before the day trippers crest the mountain
The Vibe
Twin cascades veiling down a green amphitheatre wall into a clear pool, with smaller side falls threading through the moss. It feels engineered for beauty and is entirely natural. The mountain air is noticeably cooler than the lowland falls, and the crowd, filtered by the drive and the descent, skews to people who really wanted to be here.
The Shot
The full amphitheatre from the pool's far edge, wide and slow-shuttered, with a swimmer for scale. Morning overcast is your friend here; the bowl holds even light and the greens go luminous. A polariser transforms the pool colour. Budget a full hour of shooting; this is the most complete single composition on the list.
Photo tips for Banyumala Twin Falls
Best timing+
Early morning gives the best chance of quiet water and fewer people in the pool, especially because the north-Bali access keeps casual visitors away.
Where to shoot+
Use the descent for tree-framed reveals, then shoot the twin curtains wide with swimmers for scale. The side springs and pool details are part of the story, not just the main drop.
Gear note+
A wide lens and CPL/ND combination helps with the pool glare and silky-water shots. Wear grip shoes; the access can be steep, wet and uneven.
What Recent Visitors Say
Among the best-loved waterfalls in Bali, with reviewers consistently calling it worth the long drive and ranking the swim above every rival. The recurring practicals: the descent is genuinely steep and rough in sections, water shoes earn their place, and it has grown busier every year, so morning arrival matters now in a way it didn't five years ago.
Verdict
Fourth, and the best combined swim-and-shoot on the island. It only sits below the top three because they each offer something singular, while Banyumala offers everything very, very well.
Region Note
A committed day from the Ubud pack over the Bedugul pass. Pair with the Wanagiri Hidden Hills viewpoints and Ulun Danu Beratan temple, or fold it into a Munduk overnight. From the south coast packs, this is an overnight, not a day trip.
Unlock the exact route, shots and combinations.
Photos, precise shot angles, drone rules, route pairings and timing notes unlock with the Waterfall Shortlist.