Bali rewards those who time their visit right. The dry season (May–Oct) transforms the island — bright skies, calm seas, and vibrant energy. Our month-by-month guide tells you exactly when to go.
Bali runs on a simple two-season clock — dry (May to October) and wet (November to April) — but the real decision is less about avoiding rain and more about avoiding everyone else avoiding rain. July and August have the best weather of the year, and half of Europe and Australia already knows it.
For most travelers, September is the answer nobody expects but everybody should consider. It delivers virtually the same conditions as August — 9 hours of daily sunshine, just 10mm of rain across the entire month — while the school-holiday crowds have already gone home and prices have eased back from their peak. May and June are the other overlooked months: dry season has just begun, beaches and surf breaks are already excellent, and rates haven't caught up to July's premium yet.
If your dates fall in the wet season, don't write the trip off — Bali's rain is famously localized and brief, typically an intense hour or two in the afternoon rather than an all-day washout, and Ubud's rice terraces and waterfalls are arguably at their best when everything is green. December is the exception worth planning around carefully: it combines the wettest conditions with the highest prices, driven by Christmas and New Year's demand.
All data is based on historical averages for Denpasar, Bali's main city.
Bars show daily max/min temperature. Line shows average sea temperature (Denpasar).
Monthly rainfall in millimeters. Months above 100mm are considered heavy rain season.
Average sunshine hours per day. October–November get the most sun in Bali.
SunScore™ combines weather quality, crowd levels, and value into a single 0–10 score.
Select an activity to see which months are best for it in Bali.
Bali's dry season is the undisputed winner for most travelers. Skies are blue, humidity drops, and the island takes on a golden quality. Rain days drop to as few as 11 per month (August, September), and beaches are at their most inviting.
The trade-off: July and August coincide with European school holidays, driving crowds and prices to their peak. September is the insider's secret — near-identical weather to August, but tourist numbers fall sharply after the school holiday rush.
April marks the tail end of the wet season — rain is easing, prices are lower, and the island is lush and green. A solid choice if you're budget-conscious and don't mind occasional showers.
November sits at the other end: the dry season is wrapping up, rain starts creeping back, but October's sunshine levels (11 hrs/day!) often carry into early November. Prices and crowds are noticeably lower than peak season.
Bali's wet season brings heavy downpours, particularly in January (190mm) and February (136mm). That said, rain usually comes in intense afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle, leaving mornings often clear.
December is a special case: despite the rain, it's one of the busiest months due to Christmas and New Year's — meaning you get the worst of both worlds (rain + crowds + prices). If you must visit in December, book well ahead.
Bali's calendar mixes the Balinese Saka lunar calendar (Nyepi, Galungan) with the dry/wet season rhythm — Nyepi and Galungan dates shift each year, so always check.