During my trip to Bali, I was traveling with one of my friend who absolutely loves nature—especially waterfalls and suggested we check out Tukad Cepung Waterfall, which, to be honest, was totally new to me. I’m usually more of a city-explorer kind of traveler, not someone who signs up for adventurous treks into nature. I don’t consider myself the “survivor” type, and challenging trails aren’t really my thing. But hey, this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially since I don’t often travel with adventurous friends. So, I said yes!
Thankfully, we had a private driver throughout most of our trip—including for this outing—so it was super convenient. When we arrived, we could leave all unnecessary stuff in the car and just carry the essentials. I thought my phone tripod would be one of those essentials... but spoiler alert: it really wasn’t really useful here. I’ll explain why in a bit.
But first, a very important tip—wear sandals, not slippers.
If you’re like me, you might assume the path would just be a typical uneven dirt trail. Nope. If you want to fully experience the natural beauty of Tukad Cepung, be prepared to walk right into the flowing water. Before reaching the actual waterfall, you’ll walk along a mix of man-made paths and slippery natural terrains. Once you hit the water, you’ll need to be extra cautious with every step—even if it looks shallow and clear, the current is strong, and the rocky ground underneath is unpredictable.
This is where proper footwear matters. Most of us were wearing slippers, and some of them got swept away in seconds by the strong current. If no one grabs it in time, you’ll end up walking barefoot the rest of the way. Not fun. So please, bring non-slip, sturdy sandals that can grip well on wet, rocky surfaces.
Also, a word of caution while walking: always feel the ground gently with your feet before stepping forward. There are stories of people accidentally stepping into deep holes or onto sharp rocks—so move carefully.
Despite all that, I have to say—it was totally worth it. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me an unforgettable memory. Tukad Cepung isn’t just a waterfall—it’s a hidden gem where the sunlight streams through the cave, creating magical rays that look straight out of a dream. A truly breathtaking scene that you probably seen in movies - I would’ve missed if I stuck to city streets.
Back to the Story: I Thought I Could Stay Dry… I Was So Wrong
So here’s where my rookie mistake came in—I thought I could stay dry or at least just get a little splashed if I avoided the main waterfall area and stayed away from deep water.
Totally wrong.
At Tukad Cepung, you don’t even need to go under the waterfall to get drenched—just being in the vicinity is enough to get you soaked!
After walking down a long man-made path and descending a flight of stairs, you’ll arrive at the beginning of the flowing stream. The current starts off manageable but gets stronger the closer you get to the waterfall.
At this point, you’ll have two options:
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The easy route (on the right) – shorter, more straightforward but less amazing.
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The challenging route (on the left) – longer, more rugged, but with stunning views and a more immersive experience.
Guess which one we took? Of course, the left one—because my nature-loving friend was super hyped to explore.
Let me tell you, the left path is no joke, I mean at least that's for me. But once you conquer it, the right path will feel like a walk in the park. The left trail is longer, and while the water is shallow, the current is surprisingly strong. I ended up using my phone tripod as a makeshift trekking stick to stay balanced—not the best tool, but better than nothing!
We had to navigate through tight, rocky passageways, some requiring us to crouch, others needing a bit of climbing. There are different sub-paths depending on your size and flexibility. My bigger-sized friend chose the climb route, while the other two of us went through the narrow gaps. That’s where things got wet—like, really wet.
The mist and tiny sprays from the waterfall inside those narrow cave paths are deceptively powerful. Before even reaching the main waterfall, we were already about 80% soaked just from the fine mist. And when we finally reached the waterfall inside the cave?
1000% soaked.
No joke—I could barely keep my eyes open from the water pouring down. If you’re carrying a phone that’s not waterproof and didn’t bring a dry pouch or any kind of plastic cover... you’ll probably regret it. Our bags were drenched. Nothing escaped the water. Everything gets wet here—your shoes, your clothes, your electronics, your dignity (😂).
But honestly? Still one of the most unforgettable travel experiences I’ve ever had.
Into the Cave: Beautiful Rainbows… and Soaked Clothes
As we ventured deeper into the cave, the sight was absolutely magical—sunrays streaming through the rocks, bouncing off the water, creating beautiful rainbow reflections. It felt surreal.
I had dressed up nicely, hoping to snap some cute photos. But honestly? It was way too wet to look glam. I ended up having to take off one layer of my top just to look somewhat photo-ready. So take it from me: just wear your bikini or swimwear here. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Also, it gets pretty chilly inside the cave, especially when you’re soaked from head to toe. So definitely pack a waterproof bag with a towel or dry clothes inside. You’ll want to wrap up the moment you leave the water zone, or you'll be shivering all the way back to the car.
And let me highlight one of the coolest parts—multiple rainbows inside the cave! They’re created by the light hitting the misty water, and while we managed to capture a few in our photos, they’re even better in real life.
By the end of it all, we were completely drenched. Even my phone tripod had a new job: holding our wet bags and clothes. If you don’t want to leave your stuff on the damp ground, bring something like a tripod, hook, or lightweight stand to hang your items on safely.
What to Bring to Tukad Cepung Waterfall (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)
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Waterproof Sandals
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Not slippers! You'll be walking through rocky, fast-moving water — sandals with good grip are a must.
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Bikini / Swimwear
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You will get wet — even if you don’t go under the waterfall. Dress like you're going swimming.
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Waterproof Bag or Dry Bag
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Keep your valuables and extra clothes dry.
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Towel & Change of Clothes
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You’ll want to dry off and warm up after leaving the water zone.
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Waterproof Phone Case / Ziplock Bag
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Protect your phone from splashes or complete soakage.
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Phone Tripod / Small Stand or Hook
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Great for photos and for keeping your wet bags/clothes off the ground.
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Trekking Stick or Walking Support (Optional)
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If you're not used to walking in strong currents, something to help balance is useful — even if it’s just a tripod like I used!
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Light Snacks & Hydration
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It’s a bit of a hike, so bring water and a small energy bar if needed.
Last but not least – a quick photo tip!
You won’t be alone in the cave — expect plenty of other tourists taking photos at the same time. If you want cleaner, postcard-worthy shots, here’s a pro tip: use AI tools to remove people from your photos afterwards. Total game changer!
Also, heads up: even my phone’s widest angle couldn’t fully capture the beauty of the cave. If you want to do the scenery justice, bring a wide-angle lens attachment for your phone, or even better, a waterproof professional camera. The scenic deserves it.
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