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Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale Shark Snorkeling, Saleh Bay
New experience
1 DaySmall groups
A multi-tier mainland waterfall near Sempe village, named the 'talking water' by locals.
Ai Beling lies in the hills of Moyo Hulu district, inland and south of Sumbawa Besar near Sempe village. Fed by streams off the southern mountains, the water spills out of gaps in the rock and tumbles down a long staircase of stone tiers into shallow pools you can stand under.
The name comes from the Sumbawa language and means roughly talking water, after the constant rushing sound that locals say carries to villages well over a kilometre away.
It sees mostly domestic visitors and stays quiet, so you often have the tiers and pools largely to yourself on a weekday.
Getting there
From Sumbawa Besar it is around a 1.5-hour drive south along the Sumbawa to Lunyuk road toward Sempe village, roughly 38 km. The last section is rough, so a motorbike or a car with decent clearance is best, followed by a short walk down to the falls. Hiring a local driver or guide makes it far easier to find.
Best time
The dry season from May to September gives safer footing on the rocks and clearer water with a steady flow. Avoid going right after heavy rain, when the current strengthens and the path turns slippery.
Good to know
Wear shoes with grip for the wet, mossy tiers and take care on the rocks near the falls. Bring your own water and snacks, as there are few facilities, and carry small cash for any local fee or parking.
No. Despite the name overlap with Moyo Island, Ai Beling is on mainland Sumbawa in Moyo Hulu district, reached by road from Sumbawa Besar rather than by boat.
Yes, the lower tiers form shallow pools you can wade and cool off in. The rocks are slippery, so move carefully and avoid the falls when the flow is strong.
It is doable independently with GPS, but signage is limited and the final road is rough. A local driver or guide saves a lot of hassle and supports the nearby village.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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