Are you in Bali and still not tired of the many waterfalls? Then I can recommend the Ulu Petanu Waterfall in Gianyar. This waterfall is less crowded than the famous Leke Leke and you can also swim here. Want even more peace and quiet? Check out the Campuhan Antapan Waterfall; during our visit at the end of the day, we had it completely to ourselves.
Swimming at the Ulu Petanu Waterfall
It’s around noon when we arrive at the Ulu Petanu Waterfall. It’s very quiet. In fact, when we get into the water, we’re almost alone. People walk by, but they head to a cave further along. Only after we’ve been in the water for more than 10 minutes, a large group of people arrives out of nowhere, so you really have to time it right here. The water comes up to about our waists and there are quite a few large rocks. Not the best for swimming, but perfect for cooling off. The real die-hards can try to get behind the waterfall. It’s not easy walking under such a heavy flow of water!
Accessibility of Ulu Petanu Waterfall and entrance
The Ulu Petanu Waterfall is easy to reach for those who are reasonably mobile. You will need to descend a number of steps and climb back up when you leave. Once at the bottom, you walk over large tiles placed in the water towards the waterfall. There are changing huts available. The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR* per person. You can stay at the waterfall for as long as you like. Take your time; who knows, you might find a moment when you feel like you’re all alone in the plunge pool, just like we did.
Combining Ulu Petanu with a water temple
The Ulu Petanu Waterfall is about a 10-minute drive from the famous Pura Tirta Empul. I prefer not to visit this temple because it gets so crowded. Our guide takes us to Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu, a beautiful water temple that still seems undiscovered. This temple is also nearby, only about a 5-minute drive. If you visit the Ulu Petanu Waterfall, it’s a great idea to combine it with one of the two temples mentioned above.
