Best Time to Visit Bali: Month-by-Month Weather & Crowd Guide

There's no single "best" time to visit Bali. The answer depends on what you want from your trip.

Chasing perfect beach weather and waves? Looking for budget prices and fewer crowds? Want to experience traditional ceremonies? Each season offers different advantages.

Bali has two main seasons (dry and wet), but the reality is more nuanced. Shoulder months offer sweet spots, festivals happen year-round, and surf conditions vary by coast.

Here's your complete month-by-month breakdown of Bali weather, crowds, prices, and what to expect so you can pick the perfect time for your trip.

Understanding Bali's Seasons

Bali sits 8 degrees south of the equator, giving it a tropical climate with two distinct seasons.

Dry Season (April - October)

• Less rain, more sunshine

• Cooler temperatures (relatively)

• Higher tourist numbers

• Higher prices

• Better conditions for most activities

Wet Season (November - March)

• Daily afternoon rain

• Higher humidity

• Fewer tourists

• Significantly cheaper prices

• Lush green landscapes

Temperature stays fairly constant year-round: 26-31°C (79-88°F). The main variable is rainfall.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January: Peak Rainy Season

Weather: Heavy rain, high humidity, 26-30°C

Pros:

• Cheapest accommodation rates

• Very few tourists

• Lush green rice terraces

• Great for waterfalls (full flow)

Cons:

• Daily rain, sometimes all day

• Some areas flood

• Limited outdoor activities

• Beach conditions poor

Crowds & Prices: Low crowds except New Year's week. Prices drop 30-50% after first week.

Activities: Indoor focused - spas, cooking classes, museums, cafes. Good month for wellness retreats.

Verdict: Skip unless you're okay with rain or looking for serious budget savings.

February: Still Wet But Improving

Weather: Regular afternoon rain, humid, 26-30°C

Pros:

• Low tourist numbers continue

• Cheap prices

• Starting to dry out late month

• Good surf on west coast

Cons:

• Still raining most afternoons

• Humidity very high

• Some beach clubs close for maintenance

Crowds & Prices: Very low. One of the cheapest months.

Activities: Surf lessons (bigger waves during wet season), yoga retreats, cultural experiences.

Special Events: Nyepi (Balinese New Year) sometimes falls in February - entire island shuts down for 24 hours of silence. Fascinating cultural experience but plan around it.

Verdict: Good for budget travelers and surfers who don't mind rain.

March: Transition Month

Weather: Rain decreasing, 27-31°C, still humid

Pros:

• Weather improving weekly

• Prices still low

• Crowds manageable

• Late March feels like early dry season

Cons:

• First half still rainy

• Unpredictable weather patterns

• Some businesses still in low season mode

Crowds & Prices: Low to moderate. Prices start rising late month.

Activities: All activities become more viable. Good month for photography (dramatic clouds).

Verdict: Underrated shoulder season. Late March is a sweet spot.

April: Dry Season Begins

Weather: Significantly drier, 27-32°C, sunny mornings

Pros:

• Excellent weather

• Moderate crowds

• Prices not peak yet

• Perfect beach conditions

• Great visibility for diving

Cons:

• Easter week can be busy

• Prices creeping up

Crowds & Prices: Moderate. 20-30% below peak season prices.

Activities: Everything. Beach days, temple visits, hiking, diving, surfing.

Special Events: Galungan and Kuningan (major Balinese holidays) often in April. Streets decorated with penjor bamboo poles.

Verdict: One of the best months. Great weather without peak crowds.

May: Perfect Conditions

Weather: Dry, sunny, 27-32°C, low humidity

Pros:

• Ideal weather

• Lower crowds than Jun-Aug

• Reasonable prices

• Perfect for all activities

• Excellent surf on west coast

Cons:

• Starting to get busier

• Some popular spots require advance booking

Crowds & Prices: Moderate to high. Prices 40-60% of peak.

Activities: Peak conditions for diving (Nusa Penida, Amed), surfing, hiking, everything.

Verdict: Top tier month. Many consider this the absolute best time.

June: Early High Season

Weather: Dry, sunny, 26-31°C

Pros:

• Consistent good weather

• Long daylight hours

• All businesses fully operational

• Great surf and dive conditions

Cons:

• Tourist numbers increasing

• Prices rising

• Popular spots getting crowded

• Need to book ahead

Crowds & Prices: High. Approaching peak prices.

Activities: All activities excellent. Best month for volcano sunrise treks (clear skies).

Verdict: Excellent weather but starting to feel crowded.

July: Peak Season Part 1

Weather: Dry, sunny, 25-30°C (coolest month)

Pros:

• Guaranteed good weather

• Coolest temperatures

• Everything open and operating

• Festivals and events

Cons:

• Very crowded

• Expensive (peak pricing)

• Long lines at popular temples

• Traffic terrible in South Bali

• Need reservations everywhere

Crowds & Prices: Highest of the year. Expect peak prices.

Activities: All activities but expect crowds. Book diving and tours well in advance.

Special Events: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Verdict: Great weather, terrible crowds and prices. Avoid unless school holidays dictate timing.

August: Peak Season Part 2

Weather: Dry, sunny, windy, 25-30°C

Pros:

• Reliable sunshine

• Excellent wind for water sports

• Busy nightlife and social scene

Cons:

• Most expensive month

• Maximum tourist crowds

• Traffic gridlock in tourist areas

• Popular spots overcrowded

Crowds & Prices: Absolute peak. Highest prices.

Activities: Best month for kitesurfing (consistent wind). Diving conditions excellent but crowded.

Verdict: Only come in August if you have no choice. Weather is great but the crowds ruin it.

September: Sweet Spot Returns

Weather: Dry, sunny, 26-31°C

Pros:

• Weather still excellent

• Crowds dropping significantly

• Prices decreasing

• Easier to book restaurants and activities

Cons:

• Some wind (good for kite surfing, choppy for swimming)

• Still relatively expensive early month

Crowds & Prices: High to moderate. Prices drop 20-30% from August.

Activities: All activities with better availability. Great surf on east coast.

Verdict: Excellent shoulder month. Nearly perfect conditions without peak crowds.

October: Last of Dry Season

Weather: Dry but occasional rain late month, 27-32°C

Pros:

• Still mostly sunny

• Low crowds

• Prices dropping

• Shoulder season deals

Cons:

• Rain possible late month

• Some uncertainty in weather

• Humidity increasing

Crowds & Prices: Moderate to low. Good value.

Activities: All activities still good. Late month might see reduced diving visibility.

Verdict: Underrated month. Good weather with off-season pricing starting.

November: Rainy Season Starts

Weather: Increasing rain, humid, 27-32°C

Pros:

• Very low crowds

• Cheap prices (30-40% off)

• Landscape turning green

• Good surf

Cons:

• Rain becoming frequent

• Higher humidity

• Some beach clubs close

• Outdoor activities limited

Crowds & Prices: Low. Prices dropping significantly.

Activities: Indoor focus. Good for cultural experiences and wellness.

Verdict: Okay for budget travelers who don't mind rain.

December: Holiday Rush in Rainy Season

Weather: Rainy season fully underway, 26-31°C

Pros:

• Christmas/New Year festivities

• Green landscapes

• Festive atmosphere in tourist areas

Cons:

• Daily rain

• Expensive (Dec 20-Jan 5)

• Crowds during holidays

• Flooding in some areas

Crowds & Prices: Mixed. Dead first two weeks, packed last two weeks with peak prices.

Activities: Limited by rain. Indoor activities and covered venues.

Verdict: Avoid unless you specifically want tropical Christmas. Dec 1-15 is good value, Dec 20-31 is expensive and rainy.

Choosing Your Best Time

For best weather overall: May, June, September

For fewest crowds: January, February, November

For best value (price vs weather): April, May, September, October

For surfing west coast: May - September (dry season swells)

For surfing east coast: November - March (wet season swells)

For diving: April - October (best visibility)

For hiking/trekking: April - October (dry trails)

For budget travelers: January - March, November

For families: April, May, September (good weather, manageable crowds)

For digital nomads: April - October (dry season), avoid Jul-Aug crowds

Special Considerations

Nyepi (Balinese New Year)

Falls in March or April. The entire island shuts down for 24 hours:

• No flights in or out

• No driving or walking outside

• No lights, electricity, or noise

• Hotels can't serve guests (meals in rooms only)

It's an incredible cultural experience but plan your trip around it. You'll be confined to your hotel for 24 hours.

Ramadan and Eid

Bali is Hindu, but neighboring Java is Muslim. During Eid holidays, Indonesian tourists flood Bali, causing local crowd spikes and higher domestic flight prices.

School Holidays

Indonesian school holidays (June-July, December) bring domestic tourists. Australian school holidays (December-January, June-July) bring Australian families.

Micro-Climates and Regional Differences

Bali's weather varies by region:

South Bali (Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu): Drier, sunnier

Ubud and Central Bali: More rain, cooler temperatures

North Bali: Less rain even in wet season

East Bali: Different wind patterns, drier during wet season

If it's raining in Seminyak, it might be sunny in Sanur (15 minutes away). Bali's microclimates are wild.

Final Recommendations

First-time visitors: Come in May or September. You get excellent weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices.

Returning visitors: Experiment with shoulder seasons (April, October) or embrace wet season for a different experience.

Budget conscious: February and November offer 50%+ savings if you can handle rain.

Surf trips: Plan by which coast you're surfing. West coast (Canggu, Uluwatu) peaks May-Sep. East coast (Keramas) peaks Nov-Mar.

Wellness retreats: Any time works, but April-October has better outdoor yoga weather.

The truth? Bali works year-round if you set expectations correctly. Even "bad" months have 4-6 hours of sunshine daily and offer unique advantages.

Planning your Bali trip? No matter when you visit, staying healthy and energized helps you make the most of your time. Reset Room Bali offers year-round wellness support for travelers dealing with jet lag, heat exhaustion, or just needing an energy boost.