10 Best Natural Wonders in Bali
Escape to Bali's Most Beautiful Natural Landscapes
Bali’s great attractions are a fine blend of natural wonders, ranging from highlands with active volcanoes to flowing waterfalls, peaceful lakes, and forested mountains. Set in harmony with the environment are centuries-old manmade marvels, from vast expanses of flowing green rice fields to majestic temples. And there’s even more hidden under the surface of the Indian Ocean, with Bali’s coral gardens and rich marine biodiversity.
Bali’s packed with great natural attractions that you might not be able to discover in just a single visit. Here’s a compilation of Bali’s best natural wonders. Consider it a bucket list for nature lovers. Don’t worry if you could only visit a few on your last visit, make this a checklist for your next.
1. Menjangan Island and West Bali National Park
Pristine coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and forests
Good for: Photo, Adventure
You can find Bali’s national park in the north-western part of the island. It’s a densely forested area that spans 74 square miles and was the original endemic habitat of the Bali myna, also known as the Bali starling. Some hotels in the area, such as The Menjangan by LifestyleRetreats and the Naya Gawana Resort & Spa, offer nature tours to the park as part of their guests’ experiences.
The inner areas of the park comprise savannahs and rainforests while mangrove swamps border the northern coasts. Offshore, there’s also Menjangan Island which has pristine coral reefs, making it one of Bali’s best snorkeling sites.
Location: Sumber Klampok, Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia
Menjangan Island and West Bali National Park
2. Ubud and Campuhan Ridge
Photogenic river valleys with sweeping views
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Most of Ubud is made up of cool highlands, with natural scenes of green river valleys filled with flora and fauna. Scenic valleys in and around the Ubud area include Petanu, Campuhan, and Ayung. Ayung also happens to be one of Bali’s premier whitewater rafting destinations. Adventure and sightseeing tours allow you to experience Bali’s nature in this region from up close with common sightings of exotic birds and local wildlife.
The Campuhan watercourse is actually the confluence of 2 smaller rivers, while the Campuhan Ridge features with a mellow hiking trail across rolling hills. These valleys are easily all must-visit places for nature lovers in Ubud.
Location: Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Ubud and Campuhan Ridge
3. Jatiluwih
Glorious green rice terraces down the hillsides
Good for: Budget, Food, Photo
The regency of Tabanan in Bali’s mid-west is one of the island’s greenest areas, with natural forests bordering the lush highlands and the West Bali National Park. Generally known as the island’s major rice-producing region, there’s one specific area in Tabanan, known as Jatiluwih in the village of Wangaya, that’s famous for offering vast expanses of manmade wonders: rice fields.
The site covers over 600 hectares and was once a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site candidate. The flowing green hillsides with Batukaru Mountain looming in the background are a truly remarkable sight. You can take in the view over coffee and snacks from the many small restaurants run by locals.
Location: Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia
Open: Daily from 6 am to 7 pm
Jatiluwih
4. Batukaru Temple and mountain
History and culture meet nature
Good for: History, Photo
A few miles up from the popular Jatiluwih rice fields in Bali’s central-west is the majestic temple complex of Batukaru. Batukaru is highly regarded by Balinese Hindus as one of the island’s key mountain temples. All around the complex, you can find cool tropical forests, which make it a great sightseeing destination for a mix of culture, history, and nature.
A holy water source within the temple is fed by natural springs, and its multitude of shrines with tiered roofs and ancient sculptures covered in green moss make it a truly exotic sight to behold. The adjacent forest features a nature trek that climbers can only go on with an official permit.
Location: Jl. Suweta No.18, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Batukaru Temple and mountain
5. Bedugul, Beratan, and Bali Botanical Gardens
Lovely lakes, tropical flowers, and a very ancient tree
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Beratan is one of Bali’s 3 mountain lakes, famous for its iconic lakeside temple, known as Ulun Danu Beratan. The highlands and lakeside area are great for photo opportunities. The lake itself offers water sports action, too. The other 2 lakes, Buyan and Tamblingan, are surrounded by dense forests and feature campgrounds and nature treks.
Another must-see in the Bedugul region is the Bali Botanical Gardens. They’re a popular choice among visitors looking for great scenery, with vast collections of tropical flower nurseries and orchards. Those traveling with kids will also find lots to see and do here, with a bamboo forest, cactus house, and a giant banyan tree that’s hundreds of years old. Read more
Location: Jl. Kebun Raya, Candikuning, Kec. Baturiti, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82191, Indonesia
Bedugul, Beratan, and Bali Botanical Gardens
6. Kintamani and Mount Batur
A dramatic active volcano and caldera lake
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
As one of the best panoramic mountain viewpoints on the island, the highland village of Kintamani promises incredible views over the active Batur volcano and its magnificent caldera lake. Head to the ridge of Penelokan for a different angle. The vastness of the range, with patches of dark volcanic ash and starkly verdant green forests on its hillsides, is as dramatic as it gets.
Also in the area is the vast Danau Batur caldera lake, the Batur Temple, and a collection of small resorts with hot springs and great views. Kintamani also has a good selection of restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Indonesian and Balinese cuisines with views of the caldera.
Location: South Batur, Kintamani, Bangli, Bali, Indonesia
Kintamani and Mount Batur
7. Lempuyang Temple and mountain
A steep climb to epic views
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo, Budget
Go on a pilgrimage to East Bali’s Lempuyang Temple, named after the mountain on which it is located. The temple sits at the peak of the forested mountain inhabited by hordes of timid gray long-tailed macaques. The climb is for the fit, as you need to ascend 1,700 steep steps to get to the top.
The higher you get, the better the views, as you enjoy panoramas across the green forested slopes and neighboring Mount Agung, Bali’s highest mountain. The prize view is found at the temple at the mountain’s peak, where you’re rewarded with views of the ocean in the distance. You’re also likely to encounter sightings of exotic birds along the climb.
Location: Jalan Pura Telaga Mas Lempuyang, Tri Buana, Abang, Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Lempuyang Temple and mountain
8. Tegallalang rice terraces
Stunning views of rural Bali in shades of green and gold
Good for: Couples, Photo
A particularly rewarding highlight of Ubud is the viewpoint at the traditional craftsmen’s village of Tegallalang, some 6 miles north of the Ubud town center. The main road is lined with multiple local art shops, cafes, and restaurants that make good use of the incredible views for their shoppers and diners. The beautiful green rice terraces adorn the hillsides of the valley and are visible from some parts of the road.
Both sunrise and sunset can be dramatic here. Near harvest time, the rice terraces of Tegallalang take on a beautiful, vibrant shade of green. After harvest, it’s a radiant yellowish gold. You can even take the path down to the paddies and explore the valley at your leisure. Read more
Location: Jalan Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
Tegallalang rice terraces
9. Bali’s waterfalls and springs
Vast and thundering falls in the middle of the jungle
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
Many of Bali’s finest waterfalls are particularly remote, surrounded by the dense jungles of the island’s interior. Their far-flung locations simply add to the sense of adventure. Some of the most particularly beautiful and dramatic ones are the waterfalls of Gitgit and Singsing and the cool springs of Yeh Sanih in North Bali. In Bali’s central west, there’s the Blahmantung falls in the Tabanan regency.
Most waterfalls and springs in Bali are set against dense foliage, and sightings of exotic birds and wild orchids are commonplace. The surrounding neighborhoods of these falls mostly feature lush orchards and local fruit plantations, which are often equally beautiful sights to behold.
Location: Jl. Raya Bedugul - Singaraja, Gitgit, Kec. Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81161, Indonesia
Bali's waterfalls and springs
10. Nusa Lembongan
Fantasic underwater wonders to explore
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
For a great offshore experience and to discover great underwater beauty, Nusa Lembongan features crystal-clear waters that are superb for snorkeling and diving. Lembongan has a collection of great snorkeling sites, such as Crystal Bay, Manta Point and Toya Pakeh, where sunfish, mantas and sea turtles have become common sightings.
If you’re a nature lover but don’t dive, you can still get the opportunity to experience the coral gardens teeming with tropical fish through ‘marine walk’ tours as well as submarine safari adventures that are part of fun cruises. Nusa Lembongan is connected to its sister island, Nusa Ceningan, by a yellow bridge that stretches over a narrow strait.
Location: Nusa Lembongan, Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia
Nusa Lembongan
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