Best time to visit Bali: weather month by month
Bali is warm all year, so the real question is rain, crowds and what you want to do. Here is what the climate data says, month by month, and which season suits which trip.
- Dry season
- roughly April to September/October
- Wet season
- roughly November to March
- Busiest periods
- July, August, Christmas and New Year
- Nyepi 2027
- Monday 8 March 2027
The short answer
For the best weather, go between April and October. July and August are the driest months, but also the busiest and most expensive. May, June and September usually give the best balance of dry weather, calmer seas and fewer people.
The wet season (November to March) is not a reason to stay at home: prices are lower and the rice terraces are at their greenest. Expect humid days and heavy showers, and keep a spare day in your plans for boat trips and the Mount Batur sunrise hike.
Weather month by month
Average temperature and rainfall at Ngurah Rai airport, from the long-term climate normals of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Daytime temperatures in the lowlands are typically 28–32 °C all year.
| Month | Average temperature | Rainfall | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.9 °C | 351 mm | Wettest month, humid, greenest rice terraces |
| February | 28.0 °C | 290 mm | Still very wet, fewer visitors |
| March | 28.0 °C | 231 mm | Rain easing; Nyepi in 2027 falls on 8 March |
| April | 28.1 °C | 107 mm | Start of the dry season, good value |
| May | 27.8 °C | 95 mm | One of the best all-round months |
| June | 27.2 °C | 68 mm | Dry, pleasant, crowds start to build |
| July | 26.5 °C | 28 mm | Driest month, peak season |
| August | 26.3 °C | 36 mm | Dry and busy; book early |
| September | 26.8 °C | 59 mm | Dry, fewer people than in August |
| October | 27.6 °C | 64 mm | Mostly dry, the first storms arrive |
| November | 28.2 °C | 131 mm | Wet season begins |
| December | 28.0 °C | 327 mm | Wet; busy and pricey around Christmas |
The start of the dry season moves from year to year and differs across the island. Treat the table as a long-term average, not a forecast.
The best months for each activity
| Activity | Best time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Batur sunrise hike | June to September | Best chance of a clear sunrise; it is about 14–18 °C at the top, so bring a warm layer |
| Nusa Penida day trips | April to November | Seas are more often rough from December to March |
| Manta ray snorkelling | All year | Mantas are seen year-round, but boats are cancelled more often in the wet season |
| Mola mola diving | July to October | Peak sightings July to September, in cold upwelling water |
| Surfing on the west coast and Uluwatu | April to October | Dry-season swell and offshore winds |
| Surfing on the east coast (Sanur, Nusa Dua) | November to March | The wet-season wind pattern suits the east side |
| Green rice terraces | Tegallalang: January to March; Sidemen: April–May and September–October | Depends on the planting cycle of each area |
Holidays and crowds
- Peak season is July and August and the period around Christmas and New Year. Flights, villas and popular tours sell out first.
- Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, falls on Monday 8 March 2027. For 24 hours nobody may go out, lights stay off and there is no traffic. In 2026 the airport closed from 06:00 to 06:00; the notice for 2027 has not been published yet. Plan to stay at your accommodation that day.
- Lebaran (Idul Fitri) is on 10–11 March 2027, with collective leave on 9, 12 and 15 March. Expect very heavy domestic travel that week, right after Nyepi, so book transport and boats early.
- Mountains are cooler: in Kintamani and on Mount Batur early mornings can be 15 °C or less.
Which season suits you
- First trip with beach, temples and day tours: May, June or September.
- Families tied to school holidays: July and August work well, but book accommodation and tours months ahead.
- Lower prices and green landscapes: January to March, with flexible days for boats and hikes.
- Divers looking for mola mola: July to October.
Tours for this topic
Nusa Penida: Manta Ray Snorkelling & Kelingking
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Sources and fact-check
We checked the facts in this text on 24 Oct 2026 against these sources. Rules, prices and timetables change, so check them before you travel.
- Japan Meteorological Agency – climate normals, Ngurah Rai (station 97230) (opens in a new window)
- Lonely Planet – Best time to visit Bali (updated 24 Jun 2026) (opens in a new window)
- Setneg – SKB 3 Menteri: national holidays and collective leave 2027 (15 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
- Antara Bali – Ngurah Rai airport closed 24 hours for Nyepi 2026 (13 Mar 2026) (opens in a new window)
- nusapenida.org – Nusa Penida diving guide: mola mola and manta season (updated 20 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
- Seek Sophie – Things to know before you hike Mt Batur (10 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
- Bali Holiday Secrets – Tegallalang rice terraces (29 Jun 2026) (opens in a new window)
- Bali Holiday Secrets – Sidemen (4 Aug 2026) (opens in a new window)
Not sure what to choose?
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