Bali divides neatly into two seasons: a dry period from May to October and a wet period from November to April. The divide matters more for outdoor activities - beach days, temple hikes, and rice terrace walks - than for cultural visits, which remain rewarding year-round. For most travellers, the shoulder months of May, June, September, and October offer the clearest skies, manageable crowds, and prices that haven’t hit peak levels.
Best Months at a Glance
- Best overall: May–June, September–October (dry, quieter, good value)
- Peak season: July–August (dry but crowded and expensive)
- Wet season: November–April (rain most afternoons, prices drop 25–40%)
- Surf season Kuta/Seminyak: April–October
- Surf season Canggu/Medewi: November–March
Dry Season: May to October
Bali’s dry season brings reliable sunshine, low humidity by Indonesian standards, and calm seas on the south and west coasts. Temperatures sit between 26°C and 32°C throughout. This is the window for snorkelling off Nusa Penida, sunrise hikes on Mount Batur, and comfortable long days in the rice terraces around Tegalalang and Jatiluwih.
May and June are particularly rewarding. The rains have stopped, the landscape is still green from the wet season, and international tourist numbers haven’t yet reached their July peak. Accommodation in Seminyak and Ubud is easier to secure and noticeably cheaper than in high summer. September and October share much of the same character - the crowds from July and August have thinned, prices ease back down, and the weather remains dry and clear.
July and August are a different proposition. These are the school holiday months for Australia, Europe, and North America, and Bali feels it. Ubud’s Monkey Forest, the Tanah Lot temple complex at sunset, and the beach clubs of Seminyak all become noticeably busier. Flights from Australia and Singapore typically cost 20–30% more than in shoulder months, and well-reviewed villas and boutique hotels can be booked out weeks in advance. If you’re travelling in July or August, book accommodation at least three months ahead.
One exception worth planning around: Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu New Year, usually falls in March. On Nyepi day, Bali’s international airport closes for 24 hours, streets are empty, and a genuine island-wide silence settles in. It’s a remarkable experience if you’re already on the island, but arriving or departing around this date requires careful planning. The exact date shifts each year - check the Balinese Saka calendar before booking.
Wet Season: November to April
Bali’s wet season doesn’t mean continuous rain. Showers typically arrive in the afternoon, often between 2pm and 5pm, and clear by evening. Mornings are frequently sunny. The practical impact is that outdoor activities need to be scheduled for the morning, and some mountain viewpoints are cloud-covered for days at a time.
The upside is real: prices drop approximately 25–40% across accommodation and some tour operators. Terraced rice fields turn their most intense green. Temples are less crowded, and the island generally moves at a slower pace. Travellers willing to work around the afternoon rain find Bali in the wet season genuinely pleasant.
The exception is December to January, when rain intensity peaks. Some years bring flooding to low-lying areas of Denpasar and parts of Seminyak. If you’re visiting over Christmas and New Year, be aware that prices actually spike again - this is a second peak period for domestic and Australian visitors - before falling sharply in January and February.
Surfers should note that the wet season brings the best swells to Canggu, Medewi, and the west-facing breaks. Kuta and Seminyak’s beach-break surf is better from April to October.
Month-by-Month Summary
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Wet, heavy rain | Low | Low |
| February | Wet | Low | Low |
| March | Wet, easing late month | Low–Medium | Low–Medium |
| April | Transitional, some rain | Medium | Medium |
| May | Dry, green landscape | Medium | Medium |
| June | Dry, clear | Medium | Medium–High |
| July | Dry, hot | Very High | High |
| August | Dry, hot | Very High | High |
| September | Dry, clear | Medium | Medium–High |
| October | Dry, easing to transition | Medium | Medium |
| November | Wet season starts | Low–Medium | Low–Medium |
| December | Wet, holiday spike | Medium–High | Medium–High |
Galungan and the Festival Calendar
Galungan is a 10-day Hindu festival marking the victory of dharma over adharma, celebrated across Bali roughly every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar. During Galungan, temples come alive with offerings, family compounds display tall bamboo penjor poles, and traditional ceremonies fill village streets. The date shifts each year - check the current Balinese Pawukon calendar before your trip if witnessing this is a priority. There is no bad season to experience it; the festival atmosphere is worth planning a visit around whenever it falls.
Plan Your Trip
For Borobudur-style temple visits and beach days in the same trip, book for May or June and secure accommodation in Ubud and Seminyak at least six weeks ahead. If July or August is unavoidable, reserve your villa or boutique hotel three months in advance and expect to pay peak rates from approximately IDR 800,000 per night upward for mid-range options as of 2026. Surfers targeting Canggu or Medewi should plan for November to March and check swell forecasts via Surfline or Magic Seaweed closer to travel. For Nyepi, confirm the exact date from the Balinese Saka calendar and book a Bali-based hotel that will be operational through the shutdown day.