Best Time to Visit BALI
Updated: Apr 7, 2018
The best time to go really depends on your own personal preferences. There are a few factors that will influence your decision, depending on where you want to go and what you want to do. The following should help you decide when you think the best time to go to Bali will be.
Bali is located 890 km south of the equator so the weather is mostly a tropical warm (Avg 31C or 87.8F) and humid (75%) all year round. With the high 75% humidity, it can often make it feel a lot hotter. Even in the monsoon or wet seasons, in this tropical paradise, it is still likely it will be sunny for a good part of the day.
I believe the best time to go to Bali can be just before and after high season, May / June or September / October. It’s still in their dry season, it’s less humid and room prices can be LOT cheaper than during high season. Bali seems to be a lot more relaxed, restaurants are less crowded and with fewer crowds, to me, that’s more enjoyable. You will still find some pretty decent priced flights as well.
If you're planning a trip to Bali, one of the first things you'll need to decide on is when to go. Weather is one of the main considerations, but it's also a good idea to know when the peak and off-peak tourist seasons are, as well as significant annual events and festivals that may affect your travel plans or the cost of your flights and accommodation.
Bali is generally a fantastic place to visit year round, so the best time to visit Bali really comes down to your own personal preferences, although there are a number of factors that may influence your decision. Depending on the kind of experience you want to have, where you'll be visiting and the types of things you want to do while you're there, the best time to visit Bali will differ. Consider the following factors to decide what you think will be the best time to visit Bali for you.
Bali Weather
Dry season: May – October
Wet season: November – April
Indonesia is so close to the equator that it doesn't really have a summer and winter, but it does have a wet season and a dry season. The dry season is generally considered the best time to visit, so it's the peak tourist season, however many Australians take their holidays in Bali during the wetter months of December and January, since that's when our own peak holiday season falls.
The weather in Bali is hot and humid all year round, but humidity and downpours increase during the wet season. During the dry season, coastal areas often experience pleasant cool breezes in the evenings.
When is the best time of the year to visit Bali?
Best Time for Good Weather on Bali: Bali has good weather during the dry season of April to October. This is when the island has the least rain, the most sun, and the lowest humidity. However, Bali is a good destination any time of year. There is more rainfall from November to March but rain is often followed by sunny clear skies.
Best Time for Beaches, Swimming, and Suntanning: April to October are the sunniest driest months with lots of sun. But you can get good beach weather any month of the year.
Best Time for Sightseeing and Outdoor Activities: May to September offers the driest weather when the interior of the island is easiest to explore.
Best Time for Diving: April to June (good), September to November (best).
Best Time for Saving Money: The best time for deals and discounts on hotels is February to early June and late September to early December when there are fewer tourists on the island. The price of food and transportation doesn’t change much in low season.
High Season (July, August, late December, early January): The busiest time of year. Book hotels months in advance.
Shoulder Season (February, June, September, October, November, early December): Great deals to be found on hotels if book early. The island is slower than the peak season but there’s still plenty of life if you’re looking for nightlife and busy restaurants.
Low Season (March, April, May): The quietest months on the island and when you’ll find the cheapest rates on hotels.
Best Time for Surfing on Bali: The best time to surf on Bali is during the dry season which usually runs from April to September. This is when the waves at the western beaches are at their best. During the wet season of November to March the winds switch direction and the best breaks are at the less impressive eastern beaches.
Bali Weather by Month
As a tropical destination, Bali's weather is generally fairly mild and pleasant year round however the major seasonal difference falls between the wet and dry seasons. The wet season falls from November to April and is a little hotter and definitely more humid, with brief but heavy torrential rainfall during the day, however this rainfall does little to impact on tours and activities. The dry season falls from May to October and is certainly thought of as one of the best times to visit Bali as the sun is always out and the ocean inviting. Although the weather is better for sun-baking, swimming and outdoor activities it also means that Bali in general is a lot busier..
Bali Temperature by Month (high in Celsius)
Bali Rain by Month (mm)
January Weather in Bali: The rainiest month of the year. Rain usually comes in the late afternoon or through the night and lasts for 5 to 30 minutes. The sun often returns shortly after. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Rainfall: 340mm. Days with Rain: 16)
February Weather in Bali: Almost as rainy as January with the same bursts of rain followed by sun. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Rainfall: 310mm. Days with Rain: 15)
March Weather in Bali: Still wet but typically plenty of sunshine for hitting the beach. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Rainfall: 210mm. Days with Rain: 14)
April Weather in Bali: Definitely drier than the previous months and humidity has decreased too. (Average Max Temperature: 31°C. Average Rainfall: 90mm. Days with Rain: 12)
May Weather in Bali: This is now entering the driest period of the year. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Rainfall: 80mm. Days with Rain: 9)
June Weather in Bali: Great beach weather with lots of sun. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Rainfall: 70mm. Days with Rain: 5)
July Weather in Bali: Great beach weather with lots of sun. (Average Max Temperature: 28°C. Average Rainfall: 60mm. Days with Rain: 4)
August Weather in Bali: Great beach weather with lots of sun. (Average Max Temperature: 28°C. Average Rainfall: 30mm. Days with Rain: 3)
September Weather in Bali: Great beach weather with lots of sun. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Rainfall: 40mm. Days with Rain: 4)
October Weather in Bali: Great beach weather with lots of sun though the odd downpour becomes more common. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Rainfall: 60mm. Days with Rain: 8)
November Weather in Bali: Getting rainier but still lots of sun for hitting the beach and sitting by the pool. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Rainfall: 110mm. Days with Rain: 11)
December Weather in Bali: One of the rainier months but rain storms are usually short lived and most day will still see lots of sun. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Rainfall: 250mm. Days with Rain: 13)
Peak & Off Peak Seasons In Bali
Peak and off peak seasons may also affect your decision on when to travel to Bali as the most popular times are not only the busiest but also more expensive. July and August are usually the busiest periods of the peak season with many families holidaying during school holidays and the same can be said for the Christmas/New Year period. Off peak seasons are cheaper in an attempt to attract more visitors and some of the best deals can be had between March and October.
Surfing
Although surfing in Bali is fantastic throughout the year, some hot spots perform better under different weather conditions or can get dangerously busy in peak periods. From April to October, surfing is at its
best on the west coast while from November to March, the east coast offers better conditions. Unsurprisingly, the dry season is more popular for surfing but is also quite busy, with many spots getting crowded.
Festivals
Part of the attraction when visiting Bali are some of the vibrant events and festivals that are held and New Year's Eve is one of the biggest. A highly celebrated event by the locals, Bali comes alive with fireworks, music, dancing, food and a festive spirit shared by locals and tourists alike. One of Bali's more surprising events are the Negara Bull Races, where highly decorated bulls and chariots compete against each other between July and October.
