A paradise for adrenaline junkies, Kroya Waterfall is located within the Sambangan Secret Garden in the northern jungles of Bali. Surrounded by vibrant green vegetation, the fall’s crystal white water plummets down a 12-metre rock face into a deep pool of iridescent blue water. It’s an impressive sight and arguably one of Bali’s most beautiful waterfalls. Adding to its utopian qualities, the waterfall is also nature’s version of a thrill-inducing water park.
One of nine waterfalls located in the Sambangan Secret Garden, which is also home to the famous Aling Aling Waterfall and Blue Lagoon, Kroya Waterfall is unique because the water pours down a smooth crevice, forming a natural water slide. While the thought of sliding down the 12-metre waterfall might seem a little crazy when you first arrive, it’s actually incredibly safe and, more importantly, extremely exhilarating.
Before braving the slide, you’ll be able to get your adrenaline going by leaping five metres into the pool of water at the base of the waterfall. After enjoying a refreshing swim, you’ll then make your way to the top of the waterfall with your guide. They will provide you with a life jacket and position you correctly to ensure you slide down safely. The first slide is a bit of a shock to the system, so I recommend going again to fully appreciate the experience. I also recommend aiming to arrive as early as possible, ideally at 8am, because by 10am it gets quite busy and you will have to queue before jumping and sliding.
After sliding down Kroya Waterfall, you’ll then be able to swim towards Kembar Waterfall, sliding through rock pools along the way. You can jump ten metres down Kembar Waterfall before making your way to Pucuk Waterfall, where there is a fifteen-metre jump.
Kroya Waterfall: Entry ticket
In order to visit Kroya Waterfall, you need to buy a ticket to Sambangan Secret Garden. You can either book just an entry ticket, which costs 20,000 rupiah, or you can book a trekking tour. I highly advise that you buy one of the trekking tickets when visiting Kroya Waterfall because otherwise you won’t be able to slide down it or swim in the pool. There is a booth at the entrance of the site where you can purchase trekking tickets and the guides will be waiting there to take you.
If you do book a trekking ticket, these are the options:
Short trek
The short trek costs 125,000 rupiah per person and includes Aling Aling Waterfall, Kroya Waterfall, Kembar Waterfall and Pucuk Waterfall. The trek includes the jumping, swimming and sliding at Kembar Waterfall as well as the ten-metre and fifteen-metre jumps at Kembar Waterfall and Pucuk Waterfall. They suggest between one and two hours for this trek. Please bear in mind that the short trek does not include the Blue Lagoon.
Medium trek
The medium trek costs 250,000 rupiah per person and takes between three and four hours. The trek commences with a hike through the rice paddies that surround Sambangan Secret Garden, stopping at a local’s house for a fresh coconut drink and some music along the way. If visiting the Blue Lagoon is a high priority for you (which it should be) you’ll need to book onto this trek or the long trek. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to relax for a while and take a dip in the pool. Be sure to venture into the cavern, where another hidden waterfall can be found. After this, you’ll be able to see Aling Aling Waterfall from the top before venturing down to experience everything that’s included in the short trek.
Long trek
The long trek costs 500,000 rupiah per person and includes everything mentioned in the short and medium treks as well as three more waterfalls: Cemara Waterfall, Dedari Waterfall and Canging Waterfall. I did not do this trek so I’m unable to provide any further information or photos on these waterfalls. They recommend five to six hours for this trek.
Kroya Waterfall: Where to stay
I strongly recommend staying at Shanti Natural Panorama Hotel, which is located just five minutes from the Sambangan Secret Garden. Sitting high in the mountains, the hotel feels serene and secluded, and it is the perfect place for a few days of escapism. Spread across two floors, the rooms are like mini jungle houses with the bedroom on the first floor and an al fresco lounge area on the ground floor. The infinity swimming pool and restaurant both overlook the jungle, offering spectacular views.
Staying at Shanti Natural Panorama Hotel means that you can easily visit the Sambangan Secret Garden more than once and it also means you’ll be well-placed to drive to the other famous waterfalls located in the north of Bali, such as Sekumpul Waterfall, Banyumala Twin Waterfall and Gitgit Waterfall.
Kroya Waterfall: How to get there
If you aren’t staying at the Shanti Natural Panorama Hotel, you can either book onto a tour, which will include a transfer from your hotel, or you can hire a scooter. These are available to rent from most hotels and guest houses and cost between 70,000 and 100,000 rupiah a day. The drive from Seminyak takes about three hours.
The entrance to Kroya Waterfall is marked as Aling Aling Waterfall on Google Maps – see the point on the map below. This is where you can purchase your tickets and there is also a fairly big car park at the entrance where you can park your scooter for a small fee.
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