Short answer: the best time to visit Bali is the dry season, from about April to October. July and August are the driest months, but also the busiest, so May, June and September are often the best balance of good weather and fewer people.
The rest of the year, roughly November to March, is the wet season. That does not mean it rains all day. It means more showers, higher humidity and a bigger chance that a boat trip or a sunrise hike changes plan. Below you find each month, with the numbers behind it and what it means for your days out.
Bali has two seasons
Bali lies about 8 degrees south of the equator. It does not have summer and winter like Europe or Australia. It has a dry season and a wet season, set by the monsoon winds.
- Dry season, about April to October. Less rain, lower humidity, more sun. The driest stretch is usually July to September.
- Wet season, about November to March. More rain, mostly in heavy showers. December, January and February are the wettest months.
- April and October are transition months. The weather can go either way.
The temperature hardly changes. On the coast it is warm in every month, and the sea is warm enough to swim all year.
One thing to keep in mind: these are averages. Some years the rain starts early or stops late, and a dry month can still have a few wet days. Check the forecast a few days before you travel, not months ahead.
The numbers: rain and temperature per month
These are the long-term averages for the weather station at Denpasar airport (Ngurah Rai), in the south of the island. They come from the 1991 to 2020 climate normals published by the Japan Meteorological Agency for that station.
| Month | Average rain (mm) | Average temperature (°C) | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 351 | 27.9 | Wet |
| February | 290 | 28.0 | Wet |
| March | 231 | 28.0 | Wet, getting drier |
| April | 107 | 28.1 | Transition |
| May | 95 | 27.8 | Dry |
| June | 68 | 27.2 | Dry |
| July | 28 | 26.5 | Dry |
| August | 36 | 26.3 | Dry |
| September | 59 | 26.8 | Dry |
| October | 64 | 27.6 | Transition |
| November | 131 | 28.2 | Wet, getting wetter |
| December | 327 | 28.0 | Wet |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, climate normals for Denpasar/Ngurah Rai, 1991 to 2020. Checked 30 October 2026.
The airport is on the coast. Inland and higher up, the picture changes, as you can read further down.
Bali month by month
January
The wettest month of the year, with about 350 mm of rain on average at the airport. Expect showers most days, sometimes long ones. Mornings are often the driest part of the day, so plan temples, rice fields and markets early and keep the afternoon flexible.
The sea can be rough, and fast boats to Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands are more likely to be delayed or cancelled. In 2027 Galungan falls on 13 January and Kuningan on 23 January, two of the most important Balinese Hindu celebrations. You see bamboo poles (penjor) along the roads and families on their way to the temple.
Ernest’s tip for the rainy season: it is quieter, with fewer tourists. Rain can get in the way of some plans, for example a walk through the rice fields becomes hard. In his experience the rain usually lasts one to two hours, and then the sun comes out again.
February
Still wet, with about 290 mm on average. Fewer visitors than in December and January, so this can be a quiet month for a relaxed trip. Waterfalls in the north and centre carry a lot of water, which looks impressive, but paths can be slippery. Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, which can bring more visitors from Asia around that week.
March
The rain starts to ease, with about 230 mm on average. In 2027, March has two dates you must know:
- Nyepi, Monday 8 March 2027. The Balinese New Year (Saka 1949). From 6 am on 8 March to 6 am on 9 March the whole island stops. No traffic, no lights, no activities. Visitors stay inside their hotel, and the airport is closed. The evening before, on 7 March, many villages hold ogoh-ogoh parades with large statues.
- Idul Fitri, 10 and 11 March 2027. The end of Ramadan, a national holiday in Indonesia. Many Indonesians travel, so domestic flights, ferries and roads get busy in the days around it.
Do not book arrival or departure on 8 March. Plan your tours around 7 to 9 March, and ask your hotel what they offer during Nyepi.
April
A transition month, with about 107 mm of rain. Often a good mix of sun and short showers, green fields and fewer people than in summer. Easter (28 March 2027) can make the start of the month a bit busier.
May
The dry season has usually started. About 95 mm of rain on average. Many people see May as one of the best months: dry enough for most plans, still green, and before the July and August peak. A good month for a round trip, day tours to the north and east, and the boat to Nusa Penida.
June
Drier again, with about 68 mm. Days are sunny and evenings a little cooler. From the end of June it gets busier with school holidays in several countries. If you want a sunrise trek on Mount Batur, the dry months give the best chance of a clear view.
July
The driest month on average, with about 28 mm of rain. It is also one of the busiest months. Book drivers, tours and boats as soon as you know your dates. Popular places such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Kelingking on Nusa Penida are crowded in the middle of the day. Go early.
Ernest’s tip: from May to August the weather is perfect, he says, but Bali is busier and there is more traffic on the roads.
August
Still very dry, about 36 mm, and the coolest month with an average of about 26 °C at the airport. In the hills it can feel fresh in the evening. Busy, like July. In 2027 a second Galungan falls on 11 August and Kuningan on 21 August. Indonesian Independence Day on 17 August brings flags and local events.
September
Dry, about 59 mm, and quieter than July and August once European schools are back. For many travellers this is the best month of the year: sunny, calm seas on most days and fewer people at the viewpoints.
October
A transition month, with about 64 mm of rain on average at the airport. The first heavier showers can come in the second half of the month, especially inland. Still a good month to travel, with prices and crowds lower than in summer.
November
The wet season starts. About 131 mm of rain on average, often in short, heavy showers in the afternoon or evening. Mornings are usually fine for tours. A quiet month with green rice fields.
December
Wet again, about 327 mm on average, and busy around Christmas and New Year. Book early. Plan beach days and boat trips with some slack, because the sea can be rough.
Ernest’s tip: as in January, the rain usually passes after one to two hours in his experience. Rain can still get in the way of some plans, for example a walk through the rice fields.
The weather is not the same everywhere on Bali
The airport numbers tell you about the south coast: Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and Sanur. The rest of the island can be quite different.
- Ubud and central Bali. Higher than the coast, a little cooler and usually wetter. Afternoon rain is common in the wet season.
- The mountains: Munduk, Bedugul, Kintamani. Clearly cooler, especially early in the morning and at night. Clouds and mist can hide the lakes and the view of Mount Batur, even in the dry season. Bring a light jacket.
- North coast: Lovina. Usually drier than the south and the mountains.
- East: Amed and Sidemen. Amed is on the dry side of the island. Sidemen lies in a green valley with more rain.
These are general patterns, not a forecast. Local weather can change within a short drive.
In Ernest’s experience these regional differences are right. His estimated drive times, which depend on traffic:
| Route | Estimated drive time |
|---|---|
| Ubud to Munduk | About 2 hours, sometimes 1.5 hours |
| Seminyak to Munduk | About 3.5 hours |
| Uluwatu to Munduk | About 4 hours |
| Munduk to Amed | About 3.5 hours |
Estimates as given by Ernest on 31 October 2026.
Crowds and prices
The weather is only half the question. The other half is how busy it is.
- Busiest: July, August and the weeks around Christmas and New Year. Book flights, hotels, your driver and boats early.
- Busy around holidays: Easter, Chinese New Year and Idul Fitri. Idul Fitri mainly affects domestic travel and ferries.
- Quieter: February, March (except Nyepi week), May, June, September, October and November.
Hotel prices usually follow the crowds. Outside the peak months you often get more choice and lower rates.
Islands and boats: when to plan Nusa Penida, Lembongan and the Gilis
If you want to take the fast boat to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or the Gili Islands, the dry season gives the calmest seas. In the wet season boats can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough. Keep a spare day in your plan, and do not book a boat on the last day before your flight home.
On Nusa Penida the path down to Kelingking Beach is steep and gets slippery after rain. In the wet season most people stay at the viewpoint at the top.
Ernest books fast boat tickets and drives you to the harbour.
What the season means for your plans
| Plan | Best months | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and swimming | April to October | The south coast can have rough water and rubbish washed up in the wet season |
| Day tours to temples and rice fields | All year | In the wet season, start early |
| Mount Batur sunrise | Dry season | Cloud can block the view in any month |
| Nusa Penida and other islands | April to October | Keep a spare day in the wet season |
| Waterfalls in the north | End of the wet season, or the dry season for safer paths | Paths can be slippery after rain |
| Round trip of 7 to 14 days | May, June, September | Fewer people than July and August |
Packing for the season
- Dry season: sunscreen, a hat, light clothes, a light jacket or sweater for the mountains and early starts.
- Wet season: a light rain jacket or poncho, shoes that can get wet, a dry bag for your phone on boat trips, and insect repellent.
- For temples, any month: something that covers your shoulders and knees. A sarong is usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance.
Before you travel
- Foreign tourists pay a Bali levy of IDR 150,000 per person, once per trip. You can pay online before you travel at lovebali.baliprov.go.id or at the counter at the airport. Payment is cashless only. (Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Check the entry rules for your nationality with the Indonesian immigration service before you book.
Ernest’s tip
- For the best weather, plan your trip in the dry season.
- From May to August the weather is perfect, but it is also busy, with more traffic on the roads.
- The rainy season is quieter, with fewer tourists.
- In the rainy season a shower usually lasts one to two hours, and then the sun comes out again.
- Rain can get in the way of some plans, for example a walk through the rice fields.
Plan your days with Ernest
Not sure which month suits your plans, or want a driver for the days you are there? Guests have recommended Ernest since 2018. Send him your dates on WhatsApp and he will tell you what to expect for that time of year. Use the trip planner or look at the day tours, such as Ubud and central Bali or North Bali and Munduk.
About the author: Ernest was born on Flores and lives near Uluwatu. He drives guests in his own 7-seat car and plans day tours and longer trips across Bali and the islands. More about Ernest.
Last updated: 1 November 2026. Weather figures are long-term averages and do not predict any single year.