From rainy season to dry season, our Bali weather guide will help you decide when is the best time to visit Bali & construct the perfect itinerary to make the most out of your island vacay.
Located right by the equator, Bali is blessed with a tropical climate, stable temperatures (ranging from 26 to 32℃), 80% relative humidity and long sunshine hours all year-round. But the question that’s often asked is: when is the best time to visit Bali? Well, the answer depends heavily on what you want to do during your time in Bali, and how the seasons (wet or dry season) will affect your plans. So, to help you make the right decision and plan your itinerary, here’s our month-by-month guide to Bali weather. Whether you’re visiting during wet or dry season, we’ve got you covered – just don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, sunnies and maybe even a raincoat…
DRY SEASON IN BALI: April to October
Dry season in Bali is from April to October each year, which is also the peak summer holiday season. This is the busiest time for tourism on the island, especially July, August and September, due to lower rainfall and longer hours of sunshine. The dry season is not to be mistaken with the summer season though – dry season in Bali is actually considered winter, and although you’ll be blessed with blue skies and warm weather each day, you’ll also experience cool winds that lower the temperature slightly.
Because of this, dry season in Bali is the perfect season for outdoor and water-based activities, as the heat is generally tolerable (never really exceeding 32℃) and the humidity is at its lowest. And whilst dry season peaks in August and September (the lowest chance of rain), you might see some days with a welcoming light rain and cool breeze to offset the heat. Expect sunshine, beach days and plenty of opportunities for a sunset cocktail!
April weather in Bali
April marks the start of dry season and the official end of Bali’s wet season (hooray!). Since it’s the tail-end of the rainy season, you might still see some showers with high humidity, but in general, you can expect clear, sunny days, with high temperatures reaching a whopping 35ºC. With this glorious climate and fewer crowds, April is a great time to visit Bali’s famous spots peacefully.
The weather in Bali in April is usually dry with some showers. Temperatures and humidity can be quite high.
May weather in Bali
Since it’s still not quite high-season, May is one of the best months to visit Bali. With relatively fewer tourists, plus temperatures still reaching up to 32ºC with nine hours of sunshine each day, you and your travel pals can spend quality time freely exploring the island. The chance of rain is much lower, and the ocean is at its warmest, so it’s the perfect time for leisurely swims, hiking through the jungles, or ticking off all of Bali’s best attractions. End each day by catching the sunset at one of Bali’s best beach clubs before going for an al fresco dinner on Jimbaran beach…
The weather in Bali in May is warm and mostly dry, making it perfect for exploring the island.
June weather in Bali
June is one of the driest months in Bali, with warm weather, blue skies, lowering humidity and slightly longer days. It’s a great time for exploring inland Bali, as well as getting involved in water sports. With the offshore winds at their best between June and October, surfers can take to waves at some of Bali’s best surf breaks along the southern coastline. Beginner surfers will also find plenty of spots to work on their surf skills, from Jimbaran and Kuta, all the way to Canggu too.
The weather in Bali in June is warm and sunny, with offshore winds perfect for water sports in the south.
July weather in Bali
July in Bali is the peak of high-season, with tourists flocking to the island for school holidays and summer vacations. In terms of the weather, July is much the same as June: longer days and warm (but not too hot) temperatures, with little chance of rain. With perfect weather and that high-season buzz, expect plenty of events, parties and fun things to do all over the island to keep everyone happy.
The weather in Bali in July is simply perfect – best for high season adventures and school holiday fun!
August weather in Bali
One of the busiest times for tourism, August is Bali’s driest month – you won’t need to pack your raincoats or umbrellas at this time of year! With the southern monsoon ramping up the winds, August is the month when you’ll see locals heading down to the beach carrying gigantic kites to spend the day flying them high up in the skies. Although it seems like just a leisurely pastime, it is in fact an important Balinese tradition, believed to ward off pests and evil spirits. Head east to one of Sanur‘s beaches for the best seat in town. Otherwise, take to the town and party at the iconic high season events in Seminyak and Canggu. August is a prime month to party in Bali.
The weather in Bali in August is warm, dry and windy. Spot kites and don’t miss those high season parties!
September weather in Bali
Not too hot, and not too rainy – September is Goldilocks’ kind of weather! Perhaps the best time to visit Bali if you’re after lots of sunshine paired with a cool breeze, September offers the best of both worlds: fewer visitors post-high-season, and fabulous weather. With a maximum temperature of 31ºC, approximately nine hours of sunshine per day and no slippery ground from recent rains, it’s the perfect setting for a hike or waterfall hunt in the north. Try going for a sunrise hike up Mount Batur, followed by an adventure to a secluded waterfall.
The weather in Bali in September is warm without the rain – and fewer visitors post-high-season too!
October weather in Bali
Bali’s temperatures throughout the month of October usually sit somewhere between 24ºC and 31ºC. It’s right between dry and wet season, so the amount of sunshine decreases and chances of rain increases by the end of October. But with the relatively calm breezes, warm water temperatures and abundant sea offerings, October is one of the best months to try your luck at fishing in both the sea and fresh waters.
The weather in Bali in October is warm with just a few rains. It’s one of the best times for fishing!
WET SEASON IN BALI: November to March
Before we divulge into rain and thunderstorms, we should point out that Bali’s weather is generally fantastic all year round – if you can wear bikinis, boardies and flip flops during any month of the year, that’s got to be good, right? Just be prepared that they might get a little drenched during November to March… Hello, Bali’s rainy season! Expect abrupt moody downpours of rain (sometimes localised), then the skies clear and you are left with a perfect hot day and blue skies, with temperatures rising up to 35ºC. The wet season is all about high humidity and heavy rainfalls, but these downpours sometimes last only a matter of minutes to hours (often overnight or early mornings), meaning you can be very lucky and still continue with your island adventures. Plus, there’ll be far fewer crowds to deal with!
November weather in Bali
November is very similar to October in terms of temperature, but with a slightly higher chance of rain (still lower compared to the rest of the wet season). Rain is often on and off by now (usually quite light too), so it’s just luck of the draw on whether you will see any rain or not. Generally speaking, all normal activities can continue in November as this is just the start of the rainy season (and sometimes it arrives quite late anyway!). The amount of sunshine in November starts to decrease, but there is still plenty of time to pack in plenty of tanning and awesome day trips to outdoor attractions, like Hindu temples, the Ubud Monkey Forest or Uluwatu‘s famous beaches.
The weather in Bali in November is humid and sometimes rainy, so it’s best for day trips to nearby attractions.
December weather in Bali
The monsoon season starts to pick up in December – heavier rains and less sunshine. But fret not – when it rains, it doesn’t last all day. Instead, random rainstorms will come and go within a matter of hours. This means that there’s still plenty to see and do without the need for an umbrella! In December, Bali welcomes many families and kids for the year-end holiday season, with family-friendly Christmas and New Year events, and tours (indoors and outdoors) to keep everyone happy. A shopping trip, spa day, cafe-hopping or a day out at an indoor-outdoor venue are just some of the fun things you can treat yourself to in Bali in December.
The weather in Bali in December is often rainy, so it’s best for indoor attractions (like shopping & food tours!)
January weather in Bali
With January being Bali’s wettest month, the greenery is well and truly blooming in time for the new year. Much like December, early January will still be quite busy with tourists flocking to the island for a Christmas and New Year getaway – hence why this month is still considered a peak season. So with a typical day only getting six hours of sunshine, we suggest making the most of it by trying a whole bunch of activities that offer shelter from any downpours, like a Balinese cooking class, getting a new do at a top salon, or shopping ’til you drop at Canggu’s hippest boutiques… You don’t need a whole lotta sunshine for that!
The weather in Bali in January is often quite rainy with regular downpours, so it’s best for indoor activities.
February weather in Bali
Another month that’s usually peppered with downpours, Bali’s weather in February is usually very similar to January, and you should be prepared for frequent rain and spending a cosy day indoors. Celebrating Valentine’s Day can be tricky, as it’s hard to predict whether a picnic on the beach is going to get rained off or not! Either way, there is plenty to do in Bali, rain or shine. A little tip for you: go all out on an ahhh-mazing pampering sesh at one of Seminyak or Canggu‘s best spas.
The weather in Bali in February is often rainy, so it’s best for indoor activities.
March weather in Bali
March is what’s called the ‘transition season’ – AKA the start of the refreshing change from wet season to dry season. The temperatures tend to drop a little (as does the humidity), and the rainfall reduces too. For sun-seekers, you’ll be pleased to hear that March welcomes an increasing number of sunshine hours, and more opportunities to spend the day outdoors. In between the showers, hike Ubud’s emerald rice paddies, walk through the marigold fields in Karangasem, or wander the farms of Bedugul – the lush landscapes will be positively thriving after all that rain!
The weather in Bali in March marks the end of wet season, so it’s a great time to trek through Bali’s lush landscapes!
Source: https://thehoneycombers.com/bali/bali-weather-wet-dry-season/
