FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
Waterpark with a Purpose: Redefining Fun at Waterbom Bali
January 2025
Words by The Punch Editors
Photography by The Punch & Waterbom
In the heart of Kuta, Waterbom Bali awaits your visit. This waterpark was thoughtfully designed to blend with the island’s natural beauty. Every slide, every feature, echoes the rich flora and fauna of Bali, creating a perfect blend of thrill and excitement for its guests. With 25 slides, all maintained to international safety standards, Waterbom offers a one-of-a-kind experience. However, the true heartbeat of Waterbom is grounded in its commitment to sustainability.
Every corner of the park has practices aimed at reducing waste and easing the burden on natural resources. Organic farming is practiced on-site and the park proudly operates with a forward-thinking approach to self-sufficiency thanks to its innovative management systems. Impressively, 55% of Waterbom’s 5.1 hectares are preserved as jungle and botanical gardens, demonstrating their dedication to the environment.
The transformation at Waterbom didn’t happen overnight. With the guidance of sustainability consultants and a dedicated in-house ‘Green Team’, they made thoughtful changes, transitioning policies, infrastructure, and culture. Today, only 6% of their waste ends up in landfills, they operate a closed-loop water filtration system, use solar energy, and hold the first tourism operation to achieve carbon neutrality, a title they’ve proudly claimed since 2018. Their awards are numerous, from recognition by SBTi Science Based Targets Initiative to the PATA Grand Award for Sustainability and Social Responsibility in 2023 and Asia's Leading Water Park in 2024 in the World Travel Awards and TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards.
Waterbom’s CEO, Sayan Gulino grew up in Bali and he proudly acknowledges the sustainability management practices that make Waterbom one of the most environmentally responsible parks in the world.
A PASSED DOWN VISION
When Waterbom was founded, Sayan’s father, Santo Gulino had a vision for it to be a tropical oasis with consideration for the existing environment, one that mixed entertainment with nature. His guiding principle was simple yet deeply impactful: not a single tree would be cut down. Instead, they made bespoke slides so that they curved around the existing trees, making sure that the park’s green surroundings remained intact. In the 90s, he implemented the use of salt chlorination, pioneering eco-conscious practices long before they gained traction. At a time when Bali still basked in its unspoiled beauty, his respect for the land laid the groundwork for Waterbom’s long-lasting foundations.
Today, Sayan takes on that legacy, mixing modern innovations into his mission, and amplifying efforts to safeguard the island’s precious natural resources. Bali has always been Sayan’s sanctuary, a natural playground where spending time in the oceans, rivers, and mountains shaped his formative years. This rich connection fuels his sense of duty to propel him forward, making him determined not to let Waterbom contribute to the island’s challenges but to be a crucial part of the solution.
A BALANCE OF ECONOMY & ECOLOGY
At Waterbom, profitability must align with sustainability to protect its allure. Waterbom zeroes in on water, energy conservation, and waste management as their three main sustainability pillars. Recognizing the significant daily water consumption and the importance of water as a precious resource, Waterbom has integrated water conservation practices and uses a closed-loop filtration system, making sure that water is effectively recycled and reused through a complex network of pipes, functioning as the park's main water ‘artery’. The park also has additional water-saving measures, including push-button taps, a sewage treatment plant for irrigation systems using grey water for gardens, and rainwater harvesting tanks to ensure minimal water loss and maximum water conservation.
In addition, Waterbom focuses on energy decarbonization to reduce the park's overall carbon footprint. The company has invested in solar panels across the park and office areas, shifted from gas to electrical kitchen appliances, used LED lighting, installed Variable Speed Drives (VSD) and IE3 on water pumps, and minimized air-conditioning use times in offices. Waterbom also promotes low-carbon transportation options for employees by offering financial incentives. So far 65 employees, or 17.5% of staff have made the shift to electric bikes, resulting in significant carbon avoidance.
Waste separation at the source means the team can process all rubbish in the park’s onsite waste management facility, allowing onsite processing of organic materials into compost which is used for the park’s tropical gardens. And has enabled Waterbom to achieve a record low of only 6.7% waste sent to landfills in 2023, with 93.3% of their waste materials recycled.
THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE
One of the greatest challenges for Waterbom lies in rallying support for sustainability. The team seeks like-minded allies, demonstrating that sustainability is not only attainable but also mutually beneficial for everyone involved. With a vision to achieve net zero by 2033, Waterbom invites every employee to embark on this journey, providing accountability through transparent communication and collective responsibility.
This leaves no room for greenwashing–it’s about honest reporting, open accountability, and using every assessment as an opportunity to grow and improve. Waterbom aims to inspire other hospitality and tourism businesses to review their operations, be part of the solution, and join the mission.
SEWING SEED OF THOUGHT
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an essential part of Waterbom’s growth, expanding its influence well beyond the park’s gates. The true magic unfolds through initiatives like the Seed of Thought program, which creates a future investment in the sharing of knowledge with a young eco-conscious audience. The team is deeply engaged, sharing knowledge and collaborating closely with partners.
As the younger generation steps into a world of environmental awareness, Waterbom’s Seed of Thought program opens the door for students from diverse backgrounds to discover the relationship between ecology and economy. Offering free workshops at the park on achieving this delicate balance to youth and students, the program shows that success isn’t solely measured in profit but in the respect we show our planet. Here, education transforms into a journey, where learning blends with enjoyment. Through Seed of Thought, students immerse themselves in interactive sustainability experiences, and afterward, they enjoy the park’s thrilling slides–showing that environmental consciousness can be fun and engaging. In this lively water park setting, education and entertainment coexist together, creating unforgettable moments of discovery.
PRESERVING BALI'S MAGIC FOR TOMORROW
Bali stands at a crossroads, and Waterbom is determined to lead by example in this whirlwind of rapid development and urbanization. After three decades of growth, they use their platform to responsibly inspire other businesses and sectors to adopt a mindful approach to construction. Waterbom blends the island’s spirit into every park corner, celebrating its rich culture and lush flora. By showing how sustainable practices can thrive within a waterpark, they aspire to help inspire others, demonstrating that sustainable development is not only possible but necessary, all while honoring the timeless vibrancy of Bali’s natural environment.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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