The Bali Swing has become one of the island's best-known photo activities: a set of oversized swings strung from tall frames above a jungle valley or rice terrace near Ubud, with a seat that carries you out over the drop and back again. The idea is simple and the setting does the rest. You sit or stand on the swing, a guide gives you a push, and you fly out over the treetops with the valley spread beneath you, while a staff photographer or your companion captures the moment. Many visitors wear long, flowing dresses or scarves that the wind lifts as the swing moves, and the sites often provide fabric for this if you do not bring your own. Most sites add other photo set-ups, such as nests, platforms, gates and rope bridges, and some include a cafe with valley views, so the visit can stretch beyond the swing itself. The rides are gentle enough for most adults and many older children, but they are not a theme-park thrill, and the quality of the experience depends heavily on the time you go, because each swing usually has a queue and a time limit. The ticket sold for this entry is the swing admission itself, and the exact inclusions, such as which swings or photo sets are covered and whether a drink is provided, vary between sites, so check the ticket details when you book. The swing is a pleasant fit with a day that also takes in the Tegallalang terraces, the water temple at Tirta Empul or a coffee plantation. If you are not comfortable with heights, this is not the activity for you, although the harness and the guides make it safer than it appears.
Timing and queues
Swing sites are busiest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, when tour buses arrive and each swing can have a wait. Going soon after opening gives you shorter queues, softer light for photos and cooler temperatures. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays. If your plan is mainly about photographs, choose a morning slot and take clothes in strong colours, since bright fabric stands out against green foliage. In the wet season, a rain shower can pause the swings and make the ground slippery, so bring a light jacket and non-slip shoes.
Safety and comfort
Staff fit a harness or safety line, check it before each ride and operate the push, so you can focus on the view. Ask for a gentler push if you are nervous, and leave phones and loose items with a companion or in a secured bag, because anything in a pocket can fall into the valley. Weight and age limits vary between sites, so confirm them when booking if you are travelling with young children or larger groups. Remember that swings are weather-dependent and may be closed in storms or high wind.
Combining it with the rest of the day: the swing sites cluster in the hills north and west of Ubud, near the Tegallalang terraces and the coffee plantations of the area, and a morning swing followed by a walk among the terraces and an afternoon at Tirta Empul makes an easy loop of around six hours with a driver. Most swing visits last one to two hours depending on the queue, which makes it a flexible add-on rather than a full-day commitment. Expect to find a cafe and shops at the site, and carry a little cash for tips and extras.
What to expect
The experience
Giant swings over a jungle valley or rice terrace near Ubud, with guides who push and secure you, and extra photo set-ups at most sites.
Best time
Soon after opening on a weekday, when the queues are short and the light is soft.
How long
One to two hours depending on the queue.
Tips
Wear or bring a flowing dress or scarf, secure phones and loose items, ask for a gentle push if nervous, and check the inclusions when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photo lovers and couples who want a thrill with a view.
- Families
- Suitable for many older children; check weight and age limits when you book.
- Couples
- One of the most photographed activities in Ubud; go early for the best light.
- Pair with
- Tegallalang terraces and Tirta Empul water temple.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
How does the Bali Swing work?+
You sit or stand on a large swing hung from a tall frame above a valley. A guide secures you and gives you a push, and you swing out over the view while someone takes your photo.
When is the best time to visit the Bali Swing?+
Soon after opening on a weekday. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is busiest, with queues for each swing.
Is the Bali Swing safe?+
Staff fit harnesses and operate the swings, which makes it safer than it looks. Anyone uncomfortable with heights may still find it intimidating.
What should I wear?+
Flowing dresses or long scarves look best in photos, and many sites lend fabric. Wear non-slip shoes and avoid carrying loose items on the swing.
What does the ticket include?+
The ticket covers swing admission. The exact swings, photo sets and any drink differ between sites, so check the ticket details when you book.
