🌴 Tropical Climate 🇮🇩 Indonesia ✓ Verified Data

Best Time to Visit Bali

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.

Best months to visit
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep ⭐ Oct Nov Dec
Peak SunScore™
9.0
September
Ideal ✓
Composite score:
weather · crowds · value
Month Overview

Click any month for details

Climate Data

Bali weather by month

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.

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Best months by activity

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Bali travel guide: when to go

✅ Dry Season (May–October): The best time to visit

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.

⚠️ Shoulder Season (April, November): Good value, mixed weather

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.

❌ Wet Season (December–March): Proceed with caution

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.

💡 SunnyTiming's Verdict

🏆 Best overall
September
SunScore™ 9.0 · Best value in dry season
💸 Best value
May or June
Dry season at lower prices
🏄 Best for surfing
June – August
Peak swell season, Bukit Peninsula
🤿 Best for diving
May – September
Best visibility, calmest seas

📋 Quick Facts

Capital of Bali Denpasar
Time Zone UTC+8 (WITA)
Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Climate type Tropical
Peak season Jul – Aug, Dec
Best value season May – Jun, Sep

📍 Bali regions

🏖️ Seminyak / Kuta
Beach clubs, nightlife, surfing
🌿 Ubud
Yoga, culture, rice terraces
🤿 Amed / Nusa Penida
Diving, snorkeling, Manta rays
🏄 Bukit Peninsula
World-class surf breaks
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Bali weather

September is our top pick with a SunScore™ of 9.0/10. You get all the benefits of the dry season — clear skies, minimal rain (just 10mm and 11 rain days), warm temperatures — but with fewer tourists and lower prices than July and August. May and June are excellent runners-up, especially for those on a tighter budget.
Bali's wet season runs roughly from November through March, peaking in January with 190mm of rainfall and an average of 20 rainy days. The good news: Bali's rain usually arrives in short, intense bursts in the afternoon — mornings are often clear and warm. If you travel in the wet season, structure outdoor activities for the morning.
Yes — the weather is excellent (SunScore™ 8.0–8.5, minimal rain, 27–29°C). However, July and August are Bali's peak tourist months due to European and Australian school holidays. Expect higher prices, crowded beaches, and fully booked accommodations. If your schedule is flexible, September gives you near-identical weather with dramatically fewer tourists.
December in Bali is a double challenge: it's the start of the wet season (130mm of rainfall, 20 rainy days) and a peak tourist month due to the Christmas and New Year holiday rush. This combination means high prices, big crowds, and wet weather. If you must visit in December, book well in advance and build indoor activities into your itinerary.
The best surfing in Bali (particularly at Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Canggu) happens during the dry season's south swell: June through September for the most consistent, powerful waves. Beginners should head to Kuta or Seminyak, which have gentler conditions year-round. The wet season (October–April) brings north swells better suited to experienced surfers.
Bali is consistently warm throughout the year — temperatures range from 29°C to 32°C maximum (Denpasar). The dry season (May–Oct) feels more comfortable despite similar temperatures, because humidity drops significantly. The wet season adds tropical humidity that can make 30°C feel much hotter. Sea temperatures stay between 26°C and 29°C year-round, ideal for swimming.
SunScore™ is SunnyTiming's proprietary travel timing score (0–10). It combines four factors: weather quality (sunshine hours, rainfall, temperature comfort), crowd level (tourist density affects experience quality), value (accommodation and flight pricing relative to peak), and activity availability (which activities are possible or optimal). A score of 8.5+ is "ideal," 7–8.5 is "good," 5–7 is "average," below 5 is "unfavorable."