HALO JEMBER - Damar Wulan Waterfall offers a beautiful view with clear water that comes from a natural mountain spring. The fresh air, green surroundings, and peaceful atmosphere make visitors want to stay longer. It’s a perfect place to relax while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Damar Wulan Waterfall is one of Jember’s natural destinations that hasn’t been developed, so the area still feels very natural and untouched. This makes it special for visitors who prefer quiet, uncrowded places. The fresh air, the gentle sound of the water, and the green scenery make the waterfall a refreshing place to visit.
The main attraction of Damar Wulan Waterfall is its natural beauty, which comes from its untouched environment. The waterfall is about 15 to 20 meters tall, with clear water that flows into a natural pool below. This pool is perfect for playing in the water or simply soaking. The water flow stays steady all year, but it becomes stronger during the rainy season from November to March. The waterfall is surrounded by tall trees, so the area feels cool even during the day. The beautiful view makes it a nice place to rest, have a picnic, or take photos. “Now that not many people visit like before the pandemic, the area feels quiet and clean again,” said Iwan, the head of Pokdarwis (a tourism-focused business unit managed by the village government) in Sumbersalak Village.
The facilities at Damar Wulan Waterfall are still very limited. One reason is that there is no entrance fee to visit the waterfall. Due to this, there are no public toilets, trash bins, or changing rooms available in the area. For parking, visitors usually use the yards of residents who are willing to allow people to park there. There are also no food or drink stalls around the waterfall. So, it is strongly recommended to bring food and drinks from home or buy them before entering the village area.
To visit Damar Wulan Waterfall, visitors can start their trip from the centre of Jember, with a distance of approximately 30 to 40 kilometres. It’s best to use a motorbike to go there, because the road is narrow. If using a car, visitors need to park quite far from the location. There is no official parking or staff, because not many people visit since the pandemic. Because of that, residents no longer depend on this place to earn money from tourism.
Right now, there is no official ticket or entrance fee set by the local government or any manager. However, visitors can park their vehicles in the yards of local people to keep them safe. Most visitors give a small amount of money as a thank-you for the parking. Damar Wulan Waterfall does not have official opening hours, but it is recommended to visit between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
To help make a trip to Damar Wulan Waterfall more enjoyable, here are some tips to follow. First, wear shoes that are not slippery, especially if it rains. Second, bring food and drinks from home because there are no food stalls near the waterfall. Third, try to visit in the morning to enjoy the fresh air and good sunlight for taking pictures. Fourth, don’t come during the rainy season because the path can be slippery or the water might be stronger, which can be unsafe. Fifth, bring a small bag for your trash to keep the area clean.
Although the facilities are limited, visitors can still enjoy many activities. Besides enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air, people can go trekking, take photos, or relax near the waterfall pool. In addition, this waterfall is often called the "local version of Niagara Falls," making it an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts to capture the natural beauty.
Since the area is still natural and undeveloped, visitors are also expected to follow some basic rules, even if they are not written. Don’t throw trash around, don’t damage plants, don’t write or draw on the rocks, and don’t take things like stones or plants from the area. Additionally, it is not recommended to bathe with soap or detergent to maintain a clean water ecosystem.
Author: Delia Enggar Sugiana
Editor : Dwi Siswanto