Lata Tembakah: The Complete Waterfall Guide (2026)

Lata Tembakah is one of Terengganu's biggest waterfalls, and if you're from the East Coast you've probably already heard of it. Tucked inside the Lata Tembakah Recreational Forest near Jerteh in northern Terengganu, this is a 50-metre, multi-tiered cascade with clean cold water, a proper trail, and enough pools at different levels to keep a whole family busy for a full day. It draws weekenders from Terengganu, Kelantan, and Pahang — and honestly, the reputation is earned.

Who is this place for? Pretty much everyone — families with older kids, hikers who want a moderate day out, campers looking for a proper forest stay, and anyone who just wants to sit under cold mountain water after a long week. The trail to the top tier is about an hour of easy walking, almost flat, crossing the stream a few times along the way. No ropes, no scrambling — just a nice shaded walk. That said, some of the pools are seriously deep, so you need to know where the safe spots are before you let the kids run in.

Best time to come: March to September, during the dry season. The park closes from November to February for monsoon season — no exceptions, so plan accordingly.

Quick Facts

• Location: Lata Tembakah Recreational Forest, off Jerteh, northern Terengganu (GPS: 5.58616, 102.4498)
• Entrance Fee: Adults RM 2.00 | Children RM 1.00 | Senior Citizens / Disabled FREE | Non-Citizens RM 10.00
• Opening Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (one source says 8:30 am — arrive by 8 to be safe)
• Closed: November to February (Monsoon Season)
• Trek to Top Tier: Approximately 1 hour, easy trail
• Waterfall Height: 50 metres
• Tiers: 7 tiered levels (one visitor report says 5 — expect at least 5, possibly 7)
• Swimmable: Yes, at selected tiers — some pools exceed 4 metres depth, hazardous zones are marked
• Camping: Allowed — RM 5.00 per person per day
• Facilities: Toilets, changing rooms, gazebos, food stalls, surau, chalets, souvenir shops

Getting There & Parking

Lata Tembakah is about 30 km from Kuala Besut, 24 km south of Jerteh town, and 118 km from Kuala Terengganu. From Jerteh town itself, you're looking at roughly 30 minutes by car. The road is clearly signposted so you won't be squinting at your phone the whole way — just follow the signs once you're in the area.

You can get here by personal vehicle or taxi. Public transport directly to the site isn't listed in any source I've seen, so if you're coming from out of state without a car, arrange a taxi or grab a friend with wheels. Parking at the site is ample, and as far as can be confirmed, there's no separate parking fee on top of your entrance ticket.

Fees & Opening Hours

Entrance fees are collected by Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Terengganu (the Terengganu State Forestry Department) — this has been the case since 1 January 2013. Rates are straightforward: RM 2 for Malaysian adults, RM 1 for children, free for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and RM 10 for non-citizens.

Official opening hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. One source puts the opening at 8:30 am — to be safe, aim to arrive closer to 8:00 am, especially if you want to beat the weekend crowd and the midday heat. Food stalls near the gate operate from morning until around 5:30 pm.

Hard rule: the park is closed from November through February during the Northeast Monsoon. Don't try your luck — flash flooding in this season is real, and the closure is there for a reason. Check with the Terengganu Forestry Department if you're unsure about conditions close to the shoulder months.

The Falls & Swimming

At 50 metres high with 7 tiered levels (sources mostly agree on 7, though one visitor counted 5 — either way, there's plenty to explore), Lata Tembakah isn't a one-and-done waterfall. Each tier has its own pool, and the character of the water changes as you climb. Lower tiers tend to be busier with families and kids; upper tiers reward the ones who made the hour-long walk.

The water is crystal clear, cold, and clean — that's consistent across every visitor report. There are plenty of rapids and smaller pools along the way that are perfectly good for a splash, and multiple spots suitable for swimming and wading depending on your comfort level. The trail crosses the stream several times, so you'll get your feet wet even before you reach the pools.

Here's the important bit: some pools exceed 4 metres in depth. The park has put up prohibition signage to mark the hazardous deep zones — do not ignore these signs, especially if you have young children. Stick to the shallower, marked safe areas for bathing. The cleaner upper tiers tend to be quieter and worth the extra effort to reach — as one visitor put it, the hiking trail is easy enough for anyone, so don't give up before you get there.

There's also a hanging bridge within the recreational forest — good for photos and for getting a different angle on the surrounding jungle canopy. Don't skip it.

Safety First

Let me be direct here because this is a river environment and people underestimate it every year.

• Deep pools: Several pools at Lata Tembakah exceed 4 metres in depth. Prohibition signs are there for a reason — respect them. Non-swimmers and young children should not enter unmarked pool areas.
• Slippery rocks: The rocks along the trail and in the pools are slippery. Wear water shoes or sandals with grip. Bare feet on wet rock is how people fall.
• Kepala air (flash floods): This is the big one. A kepala air is a sudden surge of water caused by heavy rain upstream — it can hit fast and without warning. The park specifically notes that a roaring sound from upstream is a danger signal. If you hear it, get out of the water immediately and move to higher ground. Follow forest officer instructions without question.
• Children in deeper areas: The park's own signage restricts children from the deeper pool zones. Take this seriously — 4 metres of water with current is not a paddling pool.
• Monsoon season: The park is closed November to February. There is no safe version of visiting during this period.

Water levels can rise fast even when it's sunny where you stand — watch the weather upstream, and get out of the water the moment it turns murky or debris starts flowing.

What to Bring

• Water shoes or grip sandals — non-negotiable on slippery river rocks
• Extra dry clothes and a towel — you will get wet
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Drinking water — bring more than you think you need for the hour-long climb
• Snacks or packed food (food stalls are available near the gate, but pack backup for the trail)
• Waterproof dry bag for your phone and valuables
• First aid basics — plasters, antiseptic
• Cash — entrance fee is RM 2 per adult, card likely not accepted at the counter

If you're camping overnight, a good water setup matters. The TAHAN 10L Water Container is solid for base camp — fill it up and you've got water for cooking and cleaning without endless trips to the tap. For rest stops along the trail or at the gazebos, the TAHAN Flexlite Highback Chair With Headrest packs light enough to carry in and makes the post-swim rest at camp actually comfortable.

Planning a full overnight? Run through our camping checklist before you pack — it'll save you that moment of realising you forgot your sleeping mat at 9 pm in the jungle.

FAQ

Is Lata Tembakah open right now?

Lata Tembakah is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm — but it is closed from November to February during the Northeast Monsoon season. If you're visiting near the start or end of those months, call the Terengganu Forestry Department to confirm current conditions before making the trip.

Berapa entrance fee Lata Tembakah? (How much is the entrance fee?)

Good question, and a cheap one — Malaysian adults pay RM 2.00, children pay RM 1.00, and senior citizens and persons with disabilities enter free. Non-citizens are charged RM 10.00. Fees are collected by Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Terengganu at the entrance.

Can you swim at Lata Tembakah?

Yes, swimming and bathing is a big part of why people come here. There are multiple pools across the tiers suitable for swimming. However — and this is important — some pools are over 4 metres deep and are marked with prohibition signs. Stick to the designated safe areas, especially with kids. The water is cold, clear, and clean in the dry season, which makes it genuinely excellent for a swim when conditions are right.

Is Lata Tembakah suitable for kids and families?

Yes, with supervision and common sense. The trail is easy and almost level, making it manageable for families. Facilities are good — toilets, changing rooms, gazebos, food stalls, and a surau are all on site. The key thing is to keep young children away from the deeper pool zones that are marked as hazardous. Choose the shallower, calmer pools for little ones, and always keep an eye on them near the water. Avoid bringing very young children during busy weekend surges when the pools get crowded.

Camp Nearby?

If you want to extend the trip beyond a day, Terengganu has solid options within reach. For island camping with a completely different vibe, check out our review of SEM Campsite Lang Tengah Island. Closer to the state capital, TWCampstay Kuala Terengganu is a good base if you're working your way down the coast. And if you're heading south after Lata Tembakah, Shukor Campsite, Dungun is worth a stop. All reviewed honestly — no sponsored fluff.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.