Putting together an Indonesian guide is challenging because there are many beautiful waterfalls throughout the country.
Sumatra, Java, and Lombok all have beautiful waterfalls.
If you explore, you’ll find that almost every island has at least one or two stunning waterfalls. Click on the links to get more information and directions.
Sumatra Waterfalls
Ponot Waterfall, North Sumatra
This might be the most famous Indonesian waterfall, with a height exceeding 250 meters (820 feet).
Ponot Waterfall, a 3-step giant waterfall in North Sumatra near the famous Lake Toba, can be visited on a day trip from East Toba after about 2 hours of driving.
Sipiso Piso Waterfall (North Sumatra)
One of the most beautiful waterfalls on Sumatra and one of Indonesia’s tallest falls.
This 120-meter-high giant flows into North Sumatra’s famous Lake Toba, surrounded by highland scenery and farms. You can visit this waterfall on a day trip from Medan or any road trip to Lake Toba and Sumatra.
If you have the time, the hike to the bottom is worth it. The walk takes 30-40 minutes one way, and at the bottom, you can take even better photos.
Mursala Waterfall (North Sumatra)
It’s the only waterfall in the world that runs directly into an ocean! It’s something you see only sometimes.
The King Kong waterfall is named after the island featured in the 2005 movie King.
East Java Waterfalls
Tumpak Sewu (East Java) Waterfall
You can take a day trip to Malang and visit this waterfall and a few others nearby on Java Island.
Tumpak sews a waterfall, a collection of a thousand more minor falls. The name is loosely translated as “many falls” in Javanese.
The waterfalls cascade into a jungle ravine shaped like a horseshoe, which looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park. This natural wonder is not to be missed!
Kabut Pelangi Waterfall (East Java)
There are many waterfalls in Java’s hills and mountains, but Kabut Pelangi is among the most beautiful.
This is an enormous cascade that’s located in a jungle amphitheater. In Indonesian, the name translates to ‘rainbow-mist waterfall.’ The size of this waterfall is wild.
The same area is home to Tumpak Sewu, but this waterfall requires more walking and is challenging. This giant Indonesian waterfall is worth the effort.
Kapas Biru Waterfall (East Java)
Another great waterfall is located in Lumajang near Malang. The hike only takes 30 minutes to complete one way.
The waterfall is set against a wall of orange rocks and surrounded by prehistoric jungles. There are also giant bamboo trees.
The name translates to ‘blue-cotton waterfall’ and is probably derived from the blue-hazed color of the falls at night.
West Java Waterfalls
Curug Cikanteh Waterfall, West Java
Curug Cikanteh, one of the largest waterfalls in the Ciletuh Geopark in West Java, is a giant.
It is part of a UNESCO-designated geopark in Indonesia. The waterfalls are a half-day drive from Jakarta. There are also some hotels nearby.
It takes some effort to get to the Geopark, which is 4-6 hours away from Jakarta or Bandung. However, once there, this waterfall can be reached in 15 minutes by driving, followed by 15 minutes of hiking. The falls can be seen up close by hiking up a steep path that takes 5-10 minutes.
Curug Cimarinjung Waterfall (West Java)
Ciletuh Geopark, West Java, has another famous waterfall.
You can get to this waterfall if you stay in accommodation within the Geopark. It takes 10 minutes by car and 5 minutes on foot.
Curug Cimarinjung has a 2 step waterfall and a lot of incredible viewpoints.
Curug Cikaso Waterfall, West Java
This unique limestone waterfall has a pool of greenish turquoise.
Curug Cikaso can be found in West Java, near the Ciletuh Geopark. You can reach the falls by driving for 1.5 hours and then hiking for 5 minutes if you stay at the Geopark.