Is Whitewater rafting in Ubud Worth It? Honest Review & Guide

Are you planning a trip to Bali and wondering if whitewater rafting in Ubud is really worth it? As someone who loves adventure and nature, I could not wait to try rafting for the first time. The result? I absolutely loved it.

In this blog post, I’ll review my rafting experience so you can decide if it’s right for you. I’ll also share some tips on how to prepare for your rafting adventure.

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Whitewater Rafting in Ubud: My Experience

​​When booking a guided activity, the first thing I usually do is check out online reviews and opinions.

I personally prefer DIY travel, but rafting on the Ayung River isn’t something you can just do on your own. So, while browsing online sites dedicated to rafting in Bali and experiences on Get Your Guide, I came across the same name multiple times.

I booked this tour through Get Your Guide, and the company offering it is Graha Adventure. They provide all kinds of activities you’d expect in Bali: rafting on the Ayung River, kayaking, ATV rides in the jungle, rice paddy trekking, and Mount Batur sunrise hikes. Their address is Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, and it’s the starting point of your whitewater rafting activity. 

The Arrival at Graha Adventure

This tour offers hotel pick-up and drop-off for up to a certain number of participants. If you’re traveling alone or in a small group, booking a Grab scooter ride to the Graha Adventure base might be more convenient.

You can choose your preferred time between 8 am and 2 pm, though the best time is around 10 am. This way, you can take the tour and return just in time to enjoy the lunch included in the ticket price.

I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your tour time. Once you get to the Graha Adventure base, head to the reception desk to confirm your presence and pay for the tour if you haven’t done so in advance. Be sure to bring some cash with you. Then, you’ll wait for your guides to call you and provide the rafting equipment.

Preparation Before the Tour

In the meantime, the Graha Adventure base offers changing facilities where you can get ready if needed and wooden tables where you can rest while waiting for your rafting time.

When it’s time, your guides will provide you with a safety helmet, a life jacket, and a paddle. They’ll have you put them on right away, even though there’s still at least 30 to 40 minutes before the rafting begins. Once you’re ready, you’ll board an open cart with other participants to take you to the drop-off point, where you’ll start your walk downstream to the river bank.

The Downstream Walk to the River

Depending on the season, it might have rained the day before, making the downhill path quite muddy. Be sure to bring sturdy flip-flops that provide good traction and make you feel secure while walking.

You’ll walk in a single line with the other participants, and it’s the kind of situation where if one person falls, everyone might. Although the walk may seem long, it’s part of the fun.

You’ll be entirely surrounded by dense jungle, towering trees, and the occasional animal peeking out. During the walk, you might regret putting on your helmet and life jacket right away, as there’s still some time before the rafting begins, and it can get hot.

Once you reach the riverbank, the guides will arrange for six people to board each raft, with one guide and six participants per raft.

The Rafting Experience Itself

The rafting activity lasts about two hours and covers 10 km in what feels like the setting of a theme park attraction designed to recreate a jungle experience—only this time, it’s real life. 

The Ayung River, which you’ll be navigating, is the longest in Bali. The section you’ll raft is perfect not only for first-timers but also for rafting experts.

Along the way, there are plenty of small challenges, from rocks where you might easily get stuck (and you will) to rapids providing “that” adrenaline rush and mini-waterfalls that might cause you to fall inside the raft.

Pre-Rafting Instructions & Guides

Before setting off, the guides will teach you the four main commands they’ll shout at different points during the experience. This way, you’ll always know what to do in case of a sudden rapid.

Rafting is fun, but the Indonesian guides definitely enhance the experience. With their constant smiles and playful spirit, they’re completely unpredictable and can be hyper-competitive.

They might organize a raft race and do everything they can to get you stuck on a rock or block your raft (all while keeping in mind safety measures)

They’re also essential because they can store your belongings in a waterproof bag, so you can bring your phone or sunglasses without worrying about them getting wet.

Views and Natural Beauty

During the rafting, about halfway through, you’ll have the chance to stop and bathe under a mini-waterfall. This is the time for photos and videos. If you’ve been to Bali before, you’ll know that guides have a unique talent for capturing content; mine was no exception. He took terrific videos! 

After the waterfall, you’ll stop at another point where you can refresh yourself with a coconut or other drinks—you’ll need it unless you have brought something to drink with you. Then, the rafting continues for another hour until the endpoint.

The scenery throughout the experience is unforgettable. The entire river valley opens before you, covered with lush, dense green trees. On the rock walls, you’ll notice centuries-old carvings, weirdly shaped trees, and other waterfalls throwing in the river.

Aside from the moments when you need to paddle or hold on because a rapid is approaching, you can relax for a few seconds and take in the views of the Ubud nature.

Post-Rafting Return

Once the experience is over, you’ll be pretty tired—let’s be honest, rafting is exhausting, and you’ll feel it in your arm muscles (unless you’re used to it). You’ll need to return to the pick-up point, which means retracing the same path you took earlier, but uphill this time.

This is perhaps the part many dislike because after two hours of rafting, another uphill climb isn’t exactly what you’d want to do.

Once you arrive, you’ll be taken back to the Graha Adventure base, where you can shower and change into dry clothes. Towels and plastic bags for wet clothes will be available near the changing rooms. 

Once you’ve changed, you can enjoy the buffet included in the ticket price. The buffet exclusively offers Indonesian cuisine, and you’ll need to pay separately for drinks.

What’s the Price For this Experience?

This tour offers a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled time, providing you with almost complete flexibility in case you need to change your plans. If you book through Get Your Guide, you can pay upfront in your currency. 

The price is around IDR 450,000 or $27, including everything from transportation to the river to equipment, access to the changing rooms, and a lunch buffet. Based on my experience, the tour offers excellent value for the price paid, and I would highly recommend it even if you’re on a budget.

Is Whitewater Rafting in Ubud Worth It? 

Absolutely yes. I’m a first-timer, so I don’t have any comparisons to make, but it was one of the highlights of my time in Ubud.

From what I’ve heard from more experienced rafters, rafting in Ubud is still fun and one of the best activities to try out, despite the level not being particularly challenging. If you love nature and outdoor activities, you definitely won’t regret spending half a day surrounded by the sensational jungle of Ubud.

If you’re traveling solo, it’s also a great way to meet other travelers. You’ll be in a group of six on the rafts, and after an experience like this, where you share sweat, physical effort, and laughter, you might make some amazing connections.

Is Rafting in Ubud Safe for Beginners?

I might not be the best person to answer this question. I feel safe on the backseat of a motorbike driven by a Balinese navigating Ubud’s traffic, which says a lot about me. However, I’ll share a comment from a friend who was so scared before getting on the raft but later told me she would have regretted not doing it. 

As mentioned, whitewater rafting on the Ayung River is not particularly difficult; therefore, it’s also very safe. The guides ensure that the commands are understood and executed correctly before setting off, and they are always attentive (even though they have a lot of fun themselves) to make sure participants feel secure. It’s definitely a safe experience.

Safety tips for first-timers

1. Listen to your guide’s instructions before and during the rafting trip. Their commands might sometimes seem counterintuitive based on what you see ahead, but trust that they know the river well and are guiding you safely.
2. Secure Your Belongings: While it might be tempting to hold onto your phone for pictures and videos during the rafting, it’s safer to keep it stored away. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture photos during the waterfall stop.
3. Hold On Tight: When not paddling, grip the safety rope attached to the raft. This will help prevent you from falling out during sudden movements.
4. Communicate with Your Guide: Let your guide know if you feel unsafe during the rafting experience. They are there to ensure you have the best experience possible and can make adjustments to improve your comfort.

When is the Best Time to Go Whitewater Rafting in Ubud?

It may seem counterintuitive, but the best time to go whitewater rafting is probably during the rainy season, when the river levels rise and water spills over the rapids. 

However, I understand that planning a trip to Ubud during the rainy season may not be ideal, even though I had such a great time during my rainy season trip. 

To avoid days of heavy rain, consider visiting Bali right after the rainy season, in March or April. This can be the perfect time to enjoy the island’s more favorable weather and high water levels for a better rafting experience. 

By the way, Graha Adventure organizes tours throughout the year, so you’ll have a blast no matter when you go.

What to Wear for Rafting in Ubud

It’s probably obvious, but you’ll definitely get wet, so keep that in mind when choosing your clothes in the morning. The best outfit for the rafting experience is a pair of leggings or shorts, sturdy flip-flops, a bathing suit, and a crop top. 

What to Pack for Rafting in Ubud

You’ll be required to leave all your belongings in the lockers, and you can bring your phone if you want. While there’s nothing you absolutely have to pack, here are some items that may be useful:

• SPF Cream: Apply before and after the experience, as you’ll spend an hour in the sun.
• Water: I suggest bringing water on the raft and securing it in the guide’s backpack. You’ll likely be dehydrated after the experience, and you’ll have a 25-minute walk uphill to do.
• Phone/Camera: You can bring your phone or camera, but be aware that it might get wet. Store it in the guide’s waterproof backpack.

Post-Rafting Essentials:

• Travel-Size Toiletries: Pack shampoo, conditioner, and any other haircare products you might need, as the changing rooms only have shower gel.
• Body and Face Cream: Bring any skincare or body care products you want to use after showering.
• Towel: Although towels are provided, bringing your own is always a good idea.
• Clothes to Change Into: Bring a fresh set of clothes for after your rafting adventure.

What Could Be Improved

While I loved most aspects of this tour, here are a couple of things that could be considered drawbacks:

• The 20-25 Minute Uphill Hike: The hike from the river to the pick-up point can be challenging, but another option may not exist. Of course, if we want to enjoy such an authentic experience, we need to be prepared to handle some additional exercise.

• Lunch Buffet: If I had to point out something that could be improved, it would be the buffet. It doesn’t offer many choices and has only Indonesian food. The quality is average. However, since it’s included in the ticket, it’s still a very minor drawback overall.

I hope this review has encouraged you to book a whitewater rafting experience in Ubud while providing guidance on what to expect and how to prepare for the experience. Rafting is a fantastic way to spend time in nature while discovering a hidden side of the Ubud River valley.

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