When is the best time to travel to Bali?
Holidays in Bali offer stunning beaches, fascinating temples and beautiful rice terraces.
But when is the best time to travel to Bali?
Below you can read more about Bali’s weather, climate and the best travel times.
Note! The guide below is for guidance only.
The climate of Bali
Bali is a year-round resort that you can travel to at any time.
Bali is located in a tropical climate zone just off the equator.
The island does not have similar seasons as we have in Finland. Instead, the Bali year is divided into two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
- The dry season is from April to September.
- The rainy season is from October to March.
Bali is located in a tropical climate zone, so the weather is warm all year round. Temperatures range from 22 degrees (average minimum temperature) to 31 degrees (average maximum temperature).
The higher you go, the cooler the weather becomes. In general, highland and mountainous areas (e.g. Ubud, Munduk and Sidemen) are thus cooler and wetter than lower coastal areas (e.g. Sanur, Lovina and Amed).
There are also many active volcanoes in the highlands of central Bali, as the island is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire known for its volcanoes and earthquakes, among other things. For example, in the fall of 2017, the 3,142-meter-high Agog volcano erupted, which is also the highest mountain in Bali.
Bali’s dry season
The dry season is from April to September.
The dry season is characterized by long sunny periods and occasional light rains.
Temperatures are usually lower than during the rainy season. Humidity is also lower, so the dry season is a particularly pleasant time to travel due to the weather.
The dry season is during the high season in Bali, but also in December and early January, visitors arrive on the island to spend the winter holidays.
These months are especially well suited for a variety of outdoor activities, as the weather is usually clear and the waters clear. Snorkeling conditions are at their best during the dry season.
Bali rainy season
According to Bridgat, the rainy season is from October to March.
Bali is an excellent holiday destination all year round, although the rainy season brings with it slightly more varied weather compared to the dry season.
There is, of course, more rain during the rainy season, but there are also plenty of sunny hours. Often the rains come at night, with rainy days during the day. However, if it rains during the day, the sun usually reappears within a couple of hours.
During the rainy season, temperatures are relatively high, as is humidity, and coastal areas also wind more than during the dry season. The wind creates excellent surfing conditions on the east coast, especially the westerly wind in December.
The island also offers plenty to do and see during the rainy season. However, during the rainy season, it is not possible to hike in the highlands or climb volcanoes.
Bali weather month by month
January
The first month of the year is rainy, humid and warm. Bali receives an average of more than 300 mm of rain during January, making it the wettest month of the year.
It rains less on the coast than in the central parts of the island and in the mountains, so the weather can be very different in different areas at the same time. So be sure to check the weather information in advance, as it may be raining in some areas while the sun is shining in others.
February
February is similar in many ways to January in terms of weather, but there is normally a little less rain.
The air is warm and humid. Although February is drier than January, the average rainfall is 250 mm. There are a lot of sunny hours nonetheless.
March
As spring begins in Finland, rainfall in Bali will begin to decrease. The sky can still be quite cloudy, but the sun is increasingly visible from the holidays of the clouds.
The temperatures are pleasant, but the humidity is still high and can make you feel a little awkward. In the highlands, temperatures are lower and it can even get cold in the evening / night, so you should also pack warm clothes. March is the last month of the rainy season, so it is considered the month of change.
April
The first month of the dry season is a quiet time for tourism in Bali.
The humidity is about 65%. The weather is clearer and the temperatures higher, and April is actually one of the sunniest months of the year. At this point, the winds are starting to subside on the coasts, so snorkeling and diving conditions are at their best. Rainfall is significantly lower than in previous months, so due to good weather and low visitor numbers, April is an excellent time to travel to the island.
May
In May, humidity is low and temperatures are at their highest, which is a pleasant combination for many holidaymakers.
The sky is sunny and the sea water clear, there are fewer tourists and snorkeling conditions are at their best.
June
Humidity is at its lowest between June and October. The sun seems to shine all day from the cloudless sky and the air is very warm.
June is usually a very dry month, but rainfall is still not uncommon, especially in the highlands. The high season has not yet begun at this stage, so there will be fewer tourists than in the coming months.
July
In July, the sun shines from the blue and cloudless sky. This month is perfect for an active holiday. For example, you can explore the underwater world on diving trips, go on an exciting bike ride or just laze on the beach tasting colorful cocktails.
July is the peak month of the Bali high season. Summer holidays are starting in Europe, and many holidaymakers are heading to Bali just this month.
August
August is one of the driest and sunniest months of the year. The average rainfall is only about 50 mm.
Also in August, the conditions are excellent for all kinds of activities. Rain rarely and little, if at all. When the evening comes, a light breeze rises, which feels pleasant after a hot day. Like July, August is a popular travel month for tourists.
September
September is still a dry season, so sun, high temperatures and very little rain are expected. Light rain usually falls on the afternoon and evening hours.
September is the perfect month for those who enjoy long beach days. The high season is slowly starting to pass, so the beaches and attractions are no longer as congested.
October
In October, the rainy season begins to announce itself. The air is still warm and rainy, but short and heavy showers are starting to become more common.
Humidity rises towards the end of the month, and the likelihood of rain increases. However, temperatures are still high.
November
November is the quietest time of the low season, which may be due to more varied weather.
At this point, we are already clearly on the side of the rainy season. Showers come and go, but are thankfully relatively short. The humidity is up to 80% this month and the temperatures are quite high.
Although there will be a lot of rain, there are still good opportunities for sun worship.
December
December is characterized by short but heavy rains. Admittedly, there can be long periods of sunshine between rains, and temperatures are still very high.
The air is very warm and sweaty because the sky is cloudy and the humidity can rise to as high as 85%. Due to heavy rains, small floods are also possible. Although December is one of the wettest months, the Christmas and January holiday season brings a lot of visitors to the island.
Want to travel to Bali?
In 2017, the travel site Tripadvisor voted Bali the best travel destination in the world. The island really deserves the recognition it has received, as it offers a tremendous amount of wonderful and unforgettable experiences.
Are you planning a trip to Bali?
