April is where Bali turns. The wet season loosens its grip, Kintamani mornings start to clear, the Bukit surf wakes up and the island’s rice country is still bright green from months of rain. It is one of the best-value months of the year, with one catch: Australian school holidays.
For the country-wide overview see visiting Indonesia in April. Below is the Bali-specific view, and the whole year sits in our best time to visit Bali table.
Weather: Coast, Ubud and Kintamani
Southern Bali typically gets roughly 90-130mm of rain in April, a fraction of January’s total. Days are mostly bright and humid, 30-32C, with occasional evening storms. Ubud remains slightly wetter and still delivers the lush green that photographers want. The north coast and Amed are drier again.
In Kintamani, highs sit at 21-25C and nights at around 15-16C. Mornings clear far more often than in the wet months, which is good news for sunrise hikes on Mount Batur and for views over the caldera from the rim villages. Still allow for cloud on any single morning, and check BMKG the day before.
School Holidays and Crowds
Most Australian states take two weeks of school holidays in April, and in some years Easter falls in the same window, which fills Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Canggu with families. Outside those weeks, April is relatively quiet, and prices are medium. Our practical rule: look up your state’s term dates before you book, and move your trip a week to either side if you can. Easter in 2027 falls in March, so April 2027 is less exposed to it than in some years.
Surf Season Opens
April is when the Bukit Peninsula starts to wake up. Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Bingin pick up southeast swell, mornings go offshore, and the Kuta and Legian beach breaks clean up and suit beginners. The full season builds through May to September. Our surfing in Bali guide lists breaks by ability. Canggu works too, though the wet-season crowds have thinned, which makes lineups friendlier.
Diving and Nusa Islands
Diving visibility improves across the south coast as river runoff drops, and Nusa Penida’s waters begin to clear. Manta rays remain reliable at Manta Point year-round, and the snorkelling conditions at Nusa Penida improve through the month. See Bali diving for sites by season. Fast boat crossings are generally smoother than in January.
Culture and Events
There is no major island-wide ceremony in April most years, but temple odalan happen all the time, and Kartini Day on 21 April sees schoolchildren in regional dress. Check our Bali festivals page for the Galungan cycle, as dates move each year.
What to Do
April suits a mix: early rice terrace and waterfall mornings, afternoon beach time, then evenings around Uluwatu cliffs and Jimbaran. A guided Uluwatu day tour or Bali day trips cover the Bukit. For a base, see where to stay in Uluwatu or where to stay in Canggu.
Packing and Booking Tips for April
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light layer for early Kintamani mornings and a rain jacket for the odd evening shower. If you are surfing, book board hire or lessons a few days ahead during school holiday weeks, as the best instructors fill up quickly. Choose accommodation near your main activity, since Canggu to Uluwatu can take over an hour in traffic. Our Bali getting-around guide explains driver and scooter options.
Verdict
April is the sweet spot for travellers who want drier weather without paying peak rates. Avoid the school holiday fortnight and you get Bali at its easiest.