Tembeling Beach and Natural Pools: Are They Worth it?

Once a hidden gem, Tembeling Beach and its famous natural pools have become one of Nusa Penida's newest hotspots for both tourists and locals.

The pools are filled with crystal clear spring water and sit at the bottom of a huge cliff overlooking the ocean.

After putting it off for a few years, we finally got around to visiting Tembeling Beach. Here’s our honest review and a complete guide to getting there.

How to Get to Tembeling Beach

There are two parking areas at Tembeling Beach. A large parking area at the top of the road, then a smaller parking area closer to the beach that can only be reached via a steep and narrow road.

Here is the Google Maps pin for the top parking area.

When you reach the top parking area, you'll spot some locals hanging out in a small hut by the roadside. They will advise you to park here and either walk down or take a motorbike taxi.

If you’re travelling by car or aren't 100% confident riding your scooter/motorbike down a steep hill, we recommend you take their advice.

Motorbike Taxi:

There’s no set price for a motorbike taxi so you’ll have to use your best negotiation skills. We’ve heard people paying anywhere between 75,000 to 100,000 IDR per person for a return journey.

The drivers are experienced, but it's still a steep and bumpy journey. They'll drop you in the bottom parking area and wait for you there. You can request your return trip back up at any time.

Walking Down:

Walking isn’t completely out of the question. But it’s a long steep trek down which will take at least 30 minutes each way. Although well-shaded, the walk will be tough on a hot day.

It's not impossible to hike down in flip-flops, but the road can be steep and slippery in sections so trainers would be better.

It’s also possible to walk down and get a motorbike taxi back up, but again you’ll have to negotiate the price with the drivers at the bottom.

Riding Down Yourself:

If you’re experienced at riding a scooter in Bali, you can politely decline the advice of the locals and drive down to the bottom parking area by yourself.

We chose this option and made it down safely. But we have to admit that it was one of the toughest roads we’ve driven on in Bali. It’s a roughly 12-minute drive down a largely unpaved single-lane track with a steep incline.

The narrow road makes it difficult to pass people driving the opposite way. Some sections are flat while others are very steep, so it's crucial to have good brakes on your bike.

We'd only recommend braving this road by yourself if you’re extremely confident in your driving ability and if you have a scooter that’s in good condition.

We've been driving in Bali for a couple of years and had a near-new vario which definitely helped. But we also have friends who are experienced drivers and still choose not to drive themselves.

The Final Stretch:

Whether you walk, taxi, or drive yourself down to the bottom parking area, you still need to complete the final stretch on foot.

There's a 5 minute walk down 230 well-paved steps to reach the first natural pool at Tembeling Beach.

This walk is pleasant as you meander through Tembeling Forest and down a path neatly carved into the cliffside. You'll notice the air getting much cooler as the trees and the cliff keep it shaded from the sun.

What To Expect

When we last visited in early 2024, entry to Tembeling Beach was donation-based, so we gave 10,000 IDR per person. There’s a cash-only honesty box near the lower parking area.

There are two main pools you can swim in, each fed by natural spring water from beneath the ground. It’s not like the many hot springs on Bali mainland. The pools at Tembeling are cold and refreshing.

The first pool is bigger and deeper. There's even a small ledge above it where you can safely jump into the pool.

Don’t miss the small shrine next to the upper pool too. Known as Pura Taman Panca Gangga, it’s a reminder that Tembeling has been a sacred site long before it was a tourist attraction.

Our favourite part of Tembeling was the second pool overlooking the ocean. The stillness of the spring water pool makes a great contrast to the thunderous waves crashing against the rocks on the beach.

Aside from the pools, there’s a small beach with swings and a photo spot. It’s not the most impressive beach on Penida, but a nice addition while you’re there. However, if you're only coming here for the beach, you might be a little disappointed.

Before leaving, don’t forget to head through the cave on the other side to find the ‘secret beach’. A small swing is perfectly placed to enjoy the views out to sea.

The pools used to be a bit of a hidden gem, but more and more people are finding out about them so you can expect small crowds at peak times.

We arrived early in the morning (around 8am) and there were only a handful of people there (maybe 6 of us in total). We recommend you do the same as it was already getting much busier when we left around 9.30am.

Facilities at Tembeling are few and far between. There are two Asian-squat toilets near the pools, but these aren’t in the best condition so only use them as a last resort. If you plan on swimming, it’s best to have your swimwear on before you arrive.