Bali Weather Guide 2026 — Best Time to Visit by Month

Bali operates on two seasons: dry and wet. It’s a simpler picture than most travellers expect, and once you understand the basics, planning your trip — or deciding when to base yourself here — becomes straightforward. The honest headline: there’s no genuinely bad time to visit Bali. The dry season is easier, more predictable, and more expensive. The wet season brings afternoon rain and better value.

The Dry Season: April to October

Bali’s dry season runs from roughly April through to October, with July and August being the peak. During this period, days are reliably sunny, humidity drops to manageable levels, and rainfall is scarce — particularly in the south. Temperatures stay warm throughout, typically sitting between 26°C and 33°C (79–91°F) on the coast.

Looking for accommodation near key areas? book accommodation in Bali on Booking.com to compare options — from budget guesthouses to luxury villas near the main attractions.

The dry season is when Bali is at its most photogenic and most visited. The famous rice terraces are green and lush from the irrigation systems that keep them year-round, the surf is consistent on the west coast, and the island’s outdoor things to do in Bali — from volcano treks to snorkelling in the north — are at their best.

It’s also when Bali is at its most crowded and expensive. July and August — the Northern Hemisphere summer holidays — see the biggest tourist influx. Accommodation prices spike, popular restaurants fill up, and the roads between Canggu and Seminyak can become genuinely unpleasant. If you have flexibility, the shoulder months of April–May and September–October give you most of the dry season benefits without the peak-season prices and crowds. See our guide on where to stay in Bali for advice on which areas stay manageable during peak season.

The Wet Season: November to March

The wet season has a worse reputation than it deserves. Yes, it rains — typically in heavy afternoon downpours that last an hour or two — but the mornings are usually dry and bright, and the rain itself often clears quickly. Bali doesn’t become a grey, waterlogged destination during the wet season. It becomes a greener, quieter, cheaper version of itself.

December and January see the heaviest rainfall and the highest chance of all-day grey skies. February is similar. November is the transition month — still mostly dry, becoming progressively wetter through the month. March starts to ease.

The west coast surf — Batu Bolong, Old Man’s, Balangan — is stronger and more challenging in the wet season. The east coast and north become more appealing for surfing. Visibility for diving can be reduced around some of the more exposed dive sites, though Nusa Penida and Tulamben hold up well year-round.

Budget travellers who can tolerate the occasional rainy afternoon will find the wet season offers the best value of any time of year.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January

Peak wet season. Heavy afternoon rain likely most days. Quiet on the tourist circuit. Best prices of the year on accommodation. A strong option for budget travellers who don’t mind the rain.

February

Wettest month on average. The island is quiet. A good month if you want Bali without crowds. Ubud is notably rainy. The coast gets less rain but some grey days should be expected.

March

Rain easing. Nyepi (Bali’s Day of Silence) falls in March or early April — a fascinating day when the entire island shuts down, no one goes outside, and the airport closes for 24 hours. Book accommodation well in advance if you’re here for Nyepi.

April

Shoulder season beginning. Rain becoming intermittent. One of the better months to visit — dry season conditions without July/August prices. Galungan (a major Hindu festival) falls in April every six months and is worth timing a visit around.

May

Reliable dry conditions. Warm, sunny, lower prices than peak months. An underrated month to visit — the island is busy enough to be lively but not packed.

June

Dry season in full swing. Crowds building. Good surf on the west coast. Temperature stays warm without being oppressive — often the most comfortable weather of the year.

July

Peak season. Busiest and most expensive month. School holidays across Australia, Europe, and the US converge. Canggu and Seminyak are very busy. Book accommodation months in advance.

August

Continues peak season. Similar to July. The best weather of the year, and the most crowded. The Kecak fire dance performances at Uluwatu are particularly spectacular in the clear August evenings.

September

Crowds ease significantly after mid-September. Weather remains dry and excellent. One of the best months to visit — dry season conditions, shoulder prices, far fewer tourists.

October

Still predominantly dry, especially early in the month. Rain begins to appear from mid-October. Crowds are thin, prices are good. The last reliable month of the dry season.

November

Transition into wet season. Increasing rain, particularly in the afternoons and evenings. Still manageable — not dramatically wet. Quieter and cheaper. A reasonable choice for budget-conscious travellers.

December

Wet season, but with a Christmas and New Year spike in visitors and prices. The period around December 25 to January 1 sees a significant tourist influx despite the rain. If you want quiet and cheap, avoid Christmas week specifically.

Best Time to Visit: By Purpose

• Surfing (beginner/intermediate): May–September for consistent, manageable west coast swell. Batu Bolong and Canggu beaches are ideal. More forgiving conditions than wet season.
• Surfing (experienced): Wet season brings bigger, more challenging swell. October–March for proper surf at Padang Padang and Uluwatu.
• Diving and snorkelling: April–November for best visibility. Nusa Penida (Manta Point, Crystal Bay) is reliably good April–October.
• Budget travel: January–March (excluding Christmas week). Lowest prices on accommodation and the fewest tourists.
• Avoiding crowds: May, September, or October. Dry conditions without peak-season volumes.
• Photography / rice terraces: The fields are greenest December to March; lush and photogenic immediately after the wet season rains. Dry season fields are still beautiful but slightly more golden.
• Overall best: May or September. Nearly universally agreed upon as the sweet spot of good weather, reasonable prices, and manageable crowds.

What to Pack

Dry Season (April–October)

• Light cotton or linen clothing — synthetics feel oppressive in humidity
• High-SPF sunscreen — the Bali sun is strong even on cloudy days
• Light long sleeves for temples, cooler evenings, and air-conditioned restaurants
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Reef-safe sunscreen if you’re diving or snorkelling

Wet Season (November–March)

• Everything above, plus a packable rain jacket or small umbrella for afternoon downpours
• Quick-dry clothing — humidity is higher and things take longer to dry
• Waterproof sandals or closed-toe shoes for navigating flooded streets after heavy rain
• Waterproof bag cover or dry bags for electronics

Weather by Region

Bali isn’t uniform. The island’s central volcanic spine creates significant variation between north, south, east, and the highlands. Knowing which region you’re staying in is as important as knowing the season. Our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Bali covers each area in detail, including climate considerations.

The Coast: Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur

The tourist south has the most predictable weather. Dry season is reliably dry; wet season brings afternoon rain but mornings are generally clear. Temperatures are consistent: 28–33°C during the day, cooling to around 24°C at night. The breeze off the Indian Ocean keeps things from feeling unbearably hot even at peak summer temperatures.

Ubud and the Central Highlands

Ubud sits at around 300 metres altitude, making it noticeably cooler than the coast — 25–30°C during the day, dropping to 18–22°C at night. It’s also significantly rainier, even in the “dry” season. Rainfall in Ubud is higher year-round than the coast, and the wet season can bring persistent grey days. Pack a layer for evenings.

North Bali: Lovina and Singaraja

North Bali is in the rain shadow of the central mountains, which makes it the driest region on the island. It also tends to be less developed and significantly quieter. Temperatures are similar to the south. A practical choice for travellers who want to escape crowds and humidity, though with fewer facilities and a longer drive from the main tourist areas.

East Bali: Amed, Candidasa, Sidemen

The east coast is generally dry year-round, with the best visibility for diving around Tulamben and Amed. The mountainous interior around Sidemen is beautiful but considerably wetter and cooler than the coast. Worth knowing if you’re planning to stay in the area for an extended period.

The Mountains: Mount Batur and Mount Agung

If you’re doing the Batur sunrise trek — one of Bali’s most popular activities — go between April and September. Cloud cover is the main enemy on a summit trek; wet season mornings can be clear but it’s riskier. The summit of Batur sits at 1,717 metres and will feel genuinely cold before sunrise — 10–15°C. Bring a proper layer regardless of the season.

Conclusion

Bali has no truly bad months — only trade-offs. The dry season gives you the easiest conditions and the best range of activities, at the cost of higher prices and more tourists. The wet season makes everything cheaper and quieter, with the only real downside being daily afternoon rain that rarely lasts long enough to ruin a day. For most travellers, May and September are the practical optimum: dry conditions, reasonable prices, manageable crowds.

Check our guide to the best places to visit in Bali for location-specific advice on timing your visits to each part of the island, including which spots are worth visiting year-round and which are season-dependent.