The best time to visit Bali for most people is the dry season, roughly May to September, when rain is lowest and the days are sunny. July and August are the driest months at Denpasar, and also the busiest. April, May, September and October are the shoulder months: still fairly dry, with fewer people. The wet season, from about November to March, brings heavy afternoon showers, but Bali stays warm all year, and the rice fields are at their greenest. This guide uses the long-term weather normals (averages) for Denpasar to show what each month is like, then looks at festivals and at which months suit honeymoons, families and trips from India.
Know before you go
- Dry season: roughly May to September, with July and August the driest (Denpasar normals).
- Wet season: roughly November to March, with December and January the wettest.
- Temperature: monthly averages at Denpasar sit between about 26 and 28 °C all year.
- Nyepi 2027: Monday 8 March 2027, the Balinese day of silence (Indonesian government holiday list).
- Busiest times: July and August, and the Christmas and New Year weeks.
- Weather data: climate normals for Denpasar/Ngurah Rai station, published by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Last checked: 2 November 2026.
In this Article
Bali weather in brief
Bali sits just south of the equator, so there is no real winter. Instead, the year splits into a dry season and a wet season. Indonesia’s weather agency, BMKG, defines the start of the dry season as the first 10-day period with under 50 mm of rain, followed by more dry periods. The wet season starts when a 10-day period gets 50 mm or more. The exact start changes from year to year and from one part of the island to another, since BMKG divides Bali into several season zones.
In practice, the south coast (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu) is drier than the hills around Ubud, Bedugul and Mount Batur. The hills are also cooler, especially at night and before dawn.
Bali month by month
These are the long-term averages for Denpasar, near the airport in the south. Expect more rain in the hills.
| Month | Average rain (mm) | Average temperature (°C) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 351 | 27.9 | Wettest month, heavy showers |
| February | 290 | 28.0 | Wet, humid |
| March | 231 | 28.0 | Wet season easing, Nyepi falls in March in 2027 |
| April | 107 | 28.1 | Shoulder month, drying out |
| May | 95 | 27.8 | Dry season begins, green fields |
| June | 68 | 27.2 | Dry and sunny |
| July | 28 | 26.5 | Driest, coolest, very busy |
| August | 36 | 26.3 | Dry, cool nights, very busy |
| September | 59 | 26.8 | Dry, crowds thin out |
| October | 64 | 27.6 | Shoulder month, warmer |
| November | 131 | 28.2 | Rains return |
| December | 327 | 28.0 | Wet, busy over Christmas and New Year |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, monthly climate normals for Denpasar/Ngurah Rai.
Dry season: May to September
This is the classic beach season. The skies are clear, the humidity drops a little and the sea on the west coast usually suits swimming and surfing. It is also the best time for the sunrise trek up Mount Batur, since the summit is less likely to be in cloud. Nights in the hills can be cold, so take a light jacket.
The catch is the crowds. July and August are school holidays in many countries, and hotels and villas in Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu fill early. If you plan to go in these months, book rooms and any tours well ahead. Popular sunset spots such as Uluwatu and Tanah Lot get very busy in the late afternoon.
Shoulder months: April, May, September and October
For many travellers these are the sweet spot. Rainfall at Denpasar is low in May and September, and fairly modest in April and October. The rice fields are still green after the rains, and there are fewer people than in July and August. If you are looking at Bali in October, expect warm, mostly dry days, with the odd shower late in the month.
Wet season: November to March
From November the rain comes back, and December to February get the most. Rain usually falls as heavy showers, often in the afternoon or at night, rather than all day. Roads can flood and some hill treks and boat trips may be cancelled on bad days, so leave slack in your plans.
The upside is fewer crowds outside the Christmas and New Year weeks, and lush scenery. Waterfalls are at their fullest. Many visitors spend wet season trips in Ubud for temples, food and culture, with beach days when the sun comes out.
Nyepi and other festivals
Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu new year, a day of silence and staying indoors. The Indonesian government’s 2027 holiday list puts Nyepi (Saka year 1949) on Monday 8 March 2027. On Nyepi, Bali largely shuts down: people stay at home, there is no traffic and lights are kept low. The airport is widely reported to close for the day, and hotels ask guests to stay on the property. If your dates touch Nyepi, check with your airline and hotel.
The evening before Nyepi is lively. Villages carry huge papier mache demon figures called ogoh-ogoh through the streets in the Ngrupuk parade, before they are burnt. It is one of the most striking sights of the Balinese year.
Galungan is another big festival, when tall bamboo poles called penjor line the streets. It follows the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar, so its date moves from year to year. Ask your hotel if it falls during your stay.
Best time to visit Bali from India
For travellers from India, May, June and September are good choices: dry weather and lower crowds than July and August. Indian summer school holidays in May and June mean that flights from Indian cities can fill up, so book early if you are travelling then. October and November, around Diwali, are popular for short breaks too. Check the latest entry rules in our Bali visa guide for Indians before you book.
Best time for a honeymoon in Bali
Many couples prefer the shoulder months of April, May, September and October. The weather is mostly dry, villas are easier to book and sunset spots are calmer. Wet season honeymoons work too, especially in Ubud, but plan beach days and boat trips to Nusa Penida with a spare day in case of rough seas.
Best time to visit Bali with family
The dry season is easiest with children, since outdoor plans are less likely to be rained off. June and September give you dry days without the peak of July and August. Sanur and Nusa Dua have calmer beaches that suit young swimmers. Carry sun cream and hats, as the sun is strong all year.
For a ready plan, see our 5 day Bali itinerary.
FAQ
### Which is the best month to visit Bali? For dry weather with fewer crowds, May, June or September. July and August are the driest but the busiest.
### Is October a good time to visit Bali? Yes. October is usually warm and fairly dry, with about 64 mm of rain on average at Denpasar, and fewer people than in the peak months.
### Which months should I avoid in Bali? December to February are the wettest. They are not a write-off, but expect heavy showers. Also check whether your dates include Nyepi, when the island shuts down for the day.
### When is Nyepi in 2027? Monday 8 March 2027, according to the Indonesian government’s 2027 holiday list.
### Is Bali hot all year? Yes. Monthly average temperatures at Denpasar stay between about 26 and 28 °C. The hills around Ubud and Batur are cooler.
Official resources: Japan Meteorological Agency: Denpasar climate normals; BMKG Bali: season terms; Kemenko PMK: 2027 national holidays
Photo credits
Featured image: Philip Nalangan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Dry season: May to September: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Dry season: May to September: Aaron Rentfrew / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Dry season: May to September: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Dry season: May to September: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Nyepi and other festivals: MagdaLena7 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Nyepi and other festivals: MagdaLena7 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Nyepi and other festivals: Tigerente / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Nyepi and other festivals: Roland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Best time for a honeymoon in Bali: Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
