If you’re looking for a waterfall in Bali that isn’t crowded, I’ve got the perfect spot for you. A waterfall that’s not only peaceful but also quick and easy to reach. I’m talking about Campuhan Antapan Waterfall; a modest little waterfall just under a kilometer away from the famous Leke Leke, one of the most well-known waterfalls in Bali.
Campuhan Antapan, the little brother of Leke Leke
We arrive at Leke Leke Waterfall at the end of the day and it’s already getting dark. Since it takes about 15 minutes to walk down the stairs to Leke Leke, we decide to visit its little brother instead: Campuhan Waterfall. This one is very close by and there’s convenient parking. From the parking area, it’s only a 1 to 2-minute walk to the waterfall. The path takes you across beautiful green terraces with open wooden huts where you can relax. You descend slightly to the water level, cross a small bamboo bridge and voilà: there you are, face to face with Campuhan Antapan!
Cooling off in the plunge pool of Campuhan Antapan
Campuhan Antapan is different from many other waterfalls in Bali. Most Balinese waterfalls are tall and narrow, but Campuhan Antapan features three streams of water cascading down about 10 meters. The water flows into a small plunge pool, which is a perfect spot to cool off on a hot day. When we visit, the water comes up to about our waists, but I imagine the pool gets deeper after heavy rainfall. From the plunge pool, the water continues down over small, terraced formations toward the river.
Photographing Campuhan Antapan Waterfall
We hang around until it gets really dark, enjoying the peacefulness and beauty of this serene place. I’m busy taking photos and searching for flat rocks to place my camera on. I want to take long-exposure shots, but I didn’t bring a tripod. That’s not really a problem, as long as I can find a flat enough surface. Since it’s already getting dark, I don’t need any ND filters. In that sense, the conditions are just right for photographing a waterfall!
Campuhan Antapan or Leke Leke?
Leke Leke may be more impressive with its height of over 32 meters, but Campuhan Antapan is likely to be much quieter. We visit at the end of the day and have the whole waterfall to ourselves; there’s no one else around. If you have plenty of time, it’s definitely worth checking out both waterfalls. But if you’re not a fan of climbing stairs or if you have limited mobility, Campuhan Antapan is the better option. The stairs at Leke Leke are quite steep and often slippery.
Parking at Campuhan Waterfall and entrance fee
Parking at Campuhan Waterfall is free. When we arrive, the ticket booth is just about to close, but we manage to pay the entrance fee of 20,000 IDR (as of 2024) and continue on to the waterfall. Keep in mind that the narrow road leading to the waterfall can be challenging if you’re arriving by car. During our visit, a lot of water was flowing over the road, causing part of it to erode and leaving large potholes. On the way back, our driver struggles to get the car back up the hill, which is a bit nerve-wracking with a steep drop right next to us. If that sounds like something you’d rather avoid, you can always ask your driver to drop you off a few hundred meters earlier and walk the rest of the way.
