Best Time to Visit Bali

The best time to visit Bali is between April and October, the island's dry season. Although the weather is ideal for travellers, the island is also subject to soupy, humid days throughout the year. Many shops offer sales and promotions; restaurants are less crowded in those mid-season months. You’ll be treated to lush showers of rain, overcast skies and thick clouds, ready to relinquish the rain. From June and August, the island is treated to sweeping gusts of winds. What’s especially beautiful about this season is the sight of hundreds of Balinese kites dancing in the wind – and why not? This is “kite season” as the Balinese locals call it. This is the time Bali is the busiest.

Peak Season of Bali (July-August, December)

If mixing with the festive crowds of people or spending your time on a bustling beach sounds right to you, then July-August and Christmas-New Year are two of the best time to go to Bali, while also being the busiest slots in Bali’s calendar. July-August gives you a pleasant mix of rain and dry weather, with occasional showers and long sunny days. The weather of Bali in winter provides lush showers, and an increase of around 90mm of rainfall for the island.

Shoulder Season of Bali (February, May, June, Oct-Dec) 

Many travel experts agree that the best month to visit Bali is during the shoulder season months like May, June, and September, when the weather is still great but the crowds are far more manageable. Shoulder season invites you to enjoy great weather, at cheaper prices. The streets hum with energy but are not so busy to be called overcrowded. Very often, you’ll find that you can visit iconic temples, landmarks and other tourist spots without worrying about jam-packed crowds.

Low Season (January-March) 

After the song and dance of New Years and Christmas, Bali settles down to a quiet simmer in the first 3 months of the year. Bali during low season is unapologetically rainy, and you’ll often need a raincoat or umbrella in hand if you choose to step out. Lower hotel prices and lesser crowds, though, are a great reason to start the year in Bali.

The Climate of Bali

April to October – The Dry Season

Temperature: Avg. of 31 degrees Celsius high to 27 Celsius degrees low

Weather: When deciding on the best time to see Bali, you should consider what kind of experience you want—if you love sunny beach days and outdoor activities, the dry season is the best time to visit to Bali, but if you enjoy cultural festivals and lush landscapes, the wet season can also be a great choice. Bali’s dry season is a big favourite amongst travellers across the globe. The weather in dry season of Bali draws in large crowds of foreigners during this season. Southeast winds carry warm, dry air on their wings from Australia to Bali’s sunny shores. The skies are bluer than you’ve ever seen, and the air is crisp. The sunny weather of the day tapers down to cooler temperatures in the evenings, the humidity is low, and the sea is primed for all kinds of adventure water sports. Catch the perfect curl of the wave when you surf or dive into the waters to explore a coral kingdom – this is after all the best climate to visit Bali.

Significant events: With the arrival of the powerful southeast winds, Bali prepares, kite in hand, for the annual Kite Festival during the July-August period. If you’re in Bali during the start of the season (April) don’t miss out on the Ubud Food Festival. In June (you’ll hear it before you see it) attend the Nusa Dali Blues festival – a big musical event in Bali, where many local and international bands play. In July, take a break from flying kites to visit the Bali Art Festival and in August, celebrate Bali’s Independence Day with the locals.

Highlight locations:

This is the optimum time to be in Bali if you enjoy sun, adventure, and beach-hopping. The weather is the ideal time to visit Bali for:

• Uluwatu & Nusa Dua: Clean blue waters and picturesque cliffs are the ideal places to explore Bali in the dry season.
• Gili Islands: The best time to go to Bali for snorkelling and diving in these beautiful islands is during the dry season when the waters are at their best.
• Mount Batur Sunrise Trek: If you are an avid hiker, this is the best time to go to Bali from a height, with stunning vistas at sunrise.
  
  

Why you should visit now: Combine spectacular weather, festival after festival and the perfect beach wave and you’ve got the recipe for a great vacation.

Know before you visit: Although this is the dry season, expect some rainfall or showers, so, carry sunblock and an umbrella!

Tips: Book your tickets and hotels in advance during this season. Owing to the dry season’s popularity amongst tourists, you may find things more expensive.

November to March – The Wet Season

Temperature: Avg. of 27 degrees Celsius high to 25 degrees Celsius low

Weather: Steamy and just a little sticky – this is Bali’s wet season. Weather in the wet season of Bali means skies are grey, gloomy and overcast, the waves are a little rougher and the entire island goes from festive and celebratory (during the Christmas-New Year period) to quiet and contemplative (January and February). Many tourists do prefer this season as rates are cheaper and the crowds are manageable. Downpours of rain can soak this island from December to February. Although the beaches aren’t in the best condition, there are other sports like canyoning and white water rafting that are options for thrill seeking tourists.

Significant events: Bali may be shorter of tourists this season, but the island is just as busy with festival and experiences for locals and holidaymakers. November brings the Makepung Buffalo Races in Jembrana, West Bali. December is a month of great celebration – add the Denpasar festival to your Christmas and New Year agenda. January, February and March are quieter, but in March you’ll experience a whole new level of silence with the occurrence of Nyepi day – a day when all locals stay silent and are discouraged from using any light. Making it one of the best time to visit Bali for cultural experiences and festivals.

Highlight Locations

Though it rains, the wet season remains an ideal time to visit Bali, with fewer people around and richly colored landscapes. The things to see and do during this best time to go to Bali are:

• Ubud: Cultural encounters and rice terraces with lush coverages make it the best time to see Bali for anyone in need of calm.
• Sidemen Valley: This off beat treasure is stunning in the rains, with its misty green hills.
• Tirta Empul Temple: A religious experience, even better when the crowd is not so thick.

Why you should visit now: Rainy showers make for a beautiful island, and you’ll also have tourist spots largely to yourself as Bali is less crowded during this season. making it one of the best time to visit Bali for most travellers.

Know before you visit: Try not to make this a beach trip! The weather in the wet season of Bali makes the sea too rough and the debris from Christmas and New Year celebrations usually leave the beaches dirty. Most travellers don't consider this one of the best time to visit Bali, when considering a beach gateway.

Tips: Swap the beach for a relaxing spa day!

If you want to make the most of your trip, choosing the best month to go to Bali can be crucial, as each season brings its own unique charm, from sun-kissed beaches in July to peaceful temple visits in January. While the dry season is often considered the best season to visit Bali, many travellers find the wet season equally rewarding, as it offers incredible green landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation prices. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, knowing the best time to visit Bali helps you plan your itinerary better, ensuring you experience everything from thrilling water sports to spiritual retreats without any unexpected weather disruptions. Now you can browse through our Bali Tour Packages and get all of your Bali trip needs fulfilled. Book flight tickets and hotels for your trip.