In a nutshell
- The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season (April through October). Temperatures are usually 77–86°F (25–30°C) and the sun shines all day — rain is very rare.
- April, May, September, and October are our favorite months, since there are even fewer tourists than during the peak season from June through August.
- If you don’t mind a few rainy days, the shoulder months of March and November are also a solid choice — Bali is less crowded and prices tend to be lower.
Bali Travel Season at a Glance
- Best time to visit: April to May, September to October
- Dry season: April to October
- High season: June to August
- Shoulder months where travel is still great: March and November
- Best time for snorkeling and diving: June to October
- Best time for surfing: March to October
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The months of April to May and September to October are the best time to visit Bali. That’s when you get the best weather and there are fewer tourists than during high season.
Between April and October, Bali is in its dry season. Temperatures hover around 25–30°C (77–86°F). You’ll also get the most sunshine and can enjoy swimming in the ocean.
High season runs from June to August. This is when many families with kids fly to Bali. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, it’s best to skip this travel window. That said, there are still a few lesser-known spots on Bali that don’t get too busy even then.
During the shoulder season between the dry and rainy seasons (March and November), the weather is still good. It just tends to rain a bit more often. If that’s not a dealbreaker for you, you can look forward to fewer tourists.
We visited in March and were totally happy with the weather. It only rained on three days, and even then just for a few hours. The rest of the time we had mostly sunshine.
Of course, there’s never any guarantee of good or bad weather.
What is the climate like in Bali?
The climate across the entire island is tropical. That means temperatures stay mostly between 26 and 28°C (79–82°F) year-round. Only in the mountainous regions in the north is it usually a few degrees cooler.
The weather in Bali only differs between the dry season and the rainy season. The months within each season are therefore very similar to one another.
During the dry season, it’s hot, sunny, and dry. During the rainy season, it’s also hot, but the high humidity makes the weather feel much more muggy, and it rains on multiple days.
Climate chart for Bali
Rainy season in Bali
During the rainy season, it rains on average 13–16 days per month in Bali. On those days, there is usually a heavy downpour lasting 1–2 hours, after which it clears up again. So you can still go on day trips to the most beautiful sights in Bali. And for the rainy spells, there are also some great activities in Bali.
That said, it does sometimes happen that it rains all day on certain days and you can’t really do anything. But as a rule, it doesn’t rain every single day.
Something else to keep in mind: during the rainy season, the ocean is usually rough. That means snorkeling is rather difficult, and a lot of trash gets washed up onto Bali’s beaches. Humidity is also even higher than during the dry season, making the weather very muggy.
If none of that is a dealbreaker, you can absolutely visit Bali during the rainy season too.
Best time to visit the neighboring islands of Lombok and the Gili Islands
A road trip around Bali pairs perfectly with the neighboring islands of Lombok and the Gili Islands, which are also part of Indonesia.
The best time to go to these islands is also during the dry season, between April and October. Lombok and the Gili Islands are much less crowded than Bali. So you can visit Lombok and the Gili Islands even during high season between June and August without a problem.
How to get from Bali to Lombok
The holiday of Nyepi in Bali
Nyepi is Bali’s Day of Silence. It is the most important Balinese holiday. On Nyepi, everyone is quiet, stays home, and keeps the lights off. The Balinese believe that on Nyepi, evil spirits pass by the island. But if the spirits see no one, they assume the island is empty and move on.
The Nyepi rules apply to tourists as well. So don’t forget to factor this day into your planning when deciding on the best time to visit Bali.
Nyepi always falls sometime in March and lasts 24 hours — from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning. In the days leading up to Nyepi, there are big festivals and processions with lots of music and dancing.
If you’re heading to Bali in March, one of our travel tips for Bali is to arrive a few days before Nyepi. That way you can catch the festivities.
What do you need to know as a tourist during Nyepi?
- You are not allowed to leave your hotel in Bali.
- You should be as quiet as possible.
- You should keep the lights off.
- Internet service doesn’t work in some years on Nyepi.
- No planes land or take off.
- ATMs are switched off.
Our tip: Find yourself a nice hotel in Bali with a pool and stock up on enough food and drinks the day before. Then you can spend Nyepi in total comfort.
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Bali
Which month is best for Bali?
Our favorite months for Bali are April, May, September, and October. We especially recommend Bali as a travel destination in May.
All four months fall right in the dry season with great weather and they’re not part of peak season — so you’ll deal with noticeably fewer crowds than during the high season in June through August.
When is peak season in Bali?
Peak season in Bali runs between June and August. During the summer school holidays, Bali sees the highest number of visitors — especially families traveling with kids.
When is a trip to Bali cheapest?
Flights and accommodations are generally somewhat cheaper during the rainy season between November and March than during the dry season.
If you want to combine lower prices with mostly good weather, the best time to go to Bali is during the transitional months between the rainy and dry seasons (March and November).
It’s always worth checking prices before you commit to a travel window — good deals during the dry season do pop up. You can find everything about your travel costs in our article on travel costs for Bali.
