Best months to visit
JulyAugust
May, June and September are the sweet spot — dry, sunny, sea 27-28 °C, lighter than the July-August Western-summer crowds. April and October are gentler shoulder months. December-February is the wettest with daily afternoon storms but still hot and beach-usable; January is most affected by flight disruptions when volcanic eruptions occur.
Best for
Beach
May-September — sea 27-29 °C, lowest rainfall, reliable sun. South coast surf beaches (Uluwatu, Padang Padang) at their best; Sanur and Nusa Dua calm year-round.
Hiking
May-September — Mount Agung, Mount Batur sunrise hikes, and rice-terrace walks (Tegallalang, Jatiluwih) are coolest, driest and clearest.
Sightseeing
May-September — temple visits (Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Lempuyang), waterfalls and rice terraces are at their photogenic best with low rain.
Climate notes
- Northwest monsoon wet season (October-March): warm humid air from the South China Sea brings 200-290 mm of rain per month, with daily afternoon thunderstorms. December-February is the peak.
- Southeast monsoon dry season (April-September): cooler dry air from Australia; rainfall drops to 60-150 mm/month. June-September is the driest, brightest, and most popular travel window.
- Equatorial warmth: temperatures stay 25-29 °C all year; sea surface 27-30 °C. There is no real winter.
- Volcanic interior: Mount Agung (3031 m, active) and Mount Batur (1717 m, active) define the central highland weather and occasionally disrupt flights when erupting (2017-2019 eruptions stranded thousands).
- Microclimates by elevation: Ubud (200 m) is 2-3 °C cooler and noticeably wetter than the south coast; Bedugul (1200 m) and Kintamani (1500 m) drop to 14-18 °C at night.
- Cyclone-free: Bali at 8°S is south of the equator but the Indonesian archipelago largely sits below the typical SW Indian / SE Asia cyclone tracks. Tropical depressions occasionally pass.
Temperature (min / max °C)
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Rainy days per month
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Regional notes
- South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu): driest part of the island, tourism core. Surf is best May-October on the SW coast.
- Ubud and central Bali (200-700 m): noticeably wetter and more humid; lush rice country. Mornings often clear, clouds build mid-afternoon.
- Mountain interior (Bedugul, Kintamani at 1200-1500 m): cool, often misty, with the highest rainfall on the island. Nights drop to 14-18 °C.
- East Bali (Amed, Tulamben, Padangbai): noticeably drier than the south thanks to Mount Agung's rain shadow — excellent diving year-round.
- North Bali (Lovina, Singaraja): drier than the south in the wet season, with calmer black-sand beaches and dolphin watching.
- Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan (offshore SE): drier than mainland Bali, savanna-like in places — popular for diving with manta rays and mola mola.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Bali?
May-September — the dry SE monsoon. June-July-August are the most reliable months with low rain, comfortable humidity, and warm sea. May and September are the best mix of dry weather and lower crowds.
Can I visit Bali during the rainy season?
Yes — many do for the lower prices and lush green landscape. Expect 20-26 rainy days per month October-March, mostly as short heavy afternoon storms. Mornings are often bright. Sea is at its warmest then; temple and waterfall photos are most dramatic.
Is Bali at risk from volcanic eruptions?
Mount Agung and Mount Batur are both active. Mount Agung's 2017-2019 eruption sequence caused multiple multi-day Denpasar airport closures. The volcanoes are continuously monitored; check the BNPB (national disaster agency) and airline status before travel during eruption phases.
Does Bali get cyclones or tsunamis?
Cyclones essentially no — Bali sits below the typical SE Asia cyclone tracks. Tsunami risk exists from Sunda Trench earthquakes and occasional submarine landslides; the 2018 Lombok earthquake series caused minor coastal effects in north Bali.
When is the best month for surfing in Bali?
May-October on the SW coast (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin) — dry season swells from the Indian Ocean. November-April on the east coast (Sanur, Keramas, Nusa Lembongan) — wet season Pacific swells with offshore wind.
Why is Ubud so much wetter than Kuta?
Ubud sits at 200-300 m elevation in central Bali, where moisture rising over Mount Agung produces orographic rainfall. Kuta is on the dry south coast with lower elevation. Ubud receives 30-40 % more rain annually.
Do I need a sweater for Bali?
Only for high country (Bedugul, Kintamani at 1200-1500 m) where evenings drop to 14-18 °C, and for early-morning Mount Batur sunrise hikes (8-12 °C). Coastal Bali is T-shirt weather year-round.
What is the difference between Bali and Lombok climate?
Lombok is drier than Bali in the dry season — Mount Rinjani creates a stronger rain shadow on the south Lombok coast (Kuta Lombok). Wet seasons are similar. Many travellers add Lombok in July-August for genuinely lower rainfall.
Climate data: Open-Meteo · 2020–2025