Table of content
Bali Weather Guide: What to Expect Year Round
Frequently Asked Questions
July and August deliver the driest, sunniest conditions Bali offers, with minimal rainfall, clear skies, and the lowest humidity of the year. However, June is often considered the best overall month by experienced visitors: weather quality is close to peak-dry, crowds are thinner than in July, and accommodation rates have not yet risen to school-holiday levels. If you have flexible dates, May or early June offers the best ratio of good conditions to manageable prices.
As of April 2026, Bali is in transition out of the wet season. The wet season officially runs from November through March, and by April rainfall tapers off noticeably. Mornings are typically dry and clear, though afternoon showers remain possible, especially in the central highlands around Ubud and Kintamani. By late April, the dry season feels properly underway.
January is the worst month for weather, with peak rainfall, highest humidity, and the greatest risk of travel disruption. That said, a January visit is still workable: mornings are often clear, cultural sites are accessible in wet weather, and accommodation rates are at their lowest of the year. No month is truly unvisitable in Bali — it depends on whether you prioritise sunshine or value.
December, January, and February record Bali's highest rainfall totals, with January typically the wettest single month, averaging around 350mm. Rain follows a predictable pattern: clear mornings followed by heavy afternoon downpours that usually clear by early evening. Ubud and the central highlands receive substantially more rain than coastal areas like Kuta or Seminyak during these months.
Yes, Bali has a dry season from April to October and a wet season from November to March. Temperatures remain consistently warm year-round between 26°C and 30°C, so rainfall — not temperature — is the primary factor when planning your trip. The difference between seasons is about 2°C, which is negligible for most travellers.
April, May, and September offer the most practical balance of conditions, crowds, and cost. Weather is drier than the wet season months, tourist numbers are lower than peak July and August, and accommodation rates have not risen to holiday-season highs. Experienced Bali travellers often prefer these months over the busy peak season.
Yes, the wet season (November to March) is entirely workable for most travellers. Rain typically arrives in concentrated afternoon bursts and clears quickly, leaving mornings dry and usable. Rice terraces are at their most lush and photogenic, waterfalls run full, accommodation prices drop significantly, and resorts are far less crowded than in peak season.
Ubud, situated around 200 metres up in the central highlands, receives noticeably more rainfall than coastal areas like Kuta, Seminyak, or Sanur. The same calendar month can produce a very different experience depending on whether you are based inland or at the beach. During the wet season, a coastal guest might experience a short sharp shower while someone at a rice terrace villa near Ubud the same afternoon faces prolonged heavy rain.
The west coast surf season runs from June through September, when Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu pick up consistent swells off the Indian Ocean. During the wet season, surf shifts east to Sanur and Padang Bai. Surfers looking to combine good waves with fewer crowds should target September and October, when Uluwatu's southwest swells extend into autumn and visitor numbers ease.
July and August are Bali's driest months, with very low rainfall across most resort areas and the clearest skies of the year. Monthly rainfall drops below 100mm from May through August across most of Bali's resort areas. These months also see humidity at its most manageable, making full-day excursions comfortable.
Flooding can be a practical concern in low-lying coastal areas around Denpasar and Legian after sustained overnight downpours. Transport links can be disrupted and roads occasionally become impassable for a few hours. If your itinerary involves driving between Denpasar, Seminyak, and Ubud in a single day during wet season months, build contingency time into your plans.
Bali stays warm throughout the entire year, with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 30°C in every month. The temperature swing between peak dry season and the height of the wet season is only around 2°C. Bali is consistently tropical regardless of what time of year you visit.
April is a solid choice for visiting Bali. It marks the start of the shoulder season, with rainfall tapering off from the wet season, lush green scenery still visible from the preceding months, and accommodation rates that have not yet risen to peak levels. Mornings are typically dry and clear, with afternoon showers possible mainly in the highlands. For British travellers especially, Bali's warm weather in April contrasts sharply with a grey home climate.
Budget travellers get the best value during May, early June, or late September. These windows consistently offer the best ratio of decent weather conditions to lower costs across flights, accommodation, and dining. The wet season months of November through March see the lowest room rates, but come with the trade-off of more frequent rainfall.
July and August offer Bali's clearest skies, lowest humidity, and most reliable sunshine, making them the obvious choice for first-time visitors seeking guaranteed beach weather. However, this popularity comes with real trade-offs: hotels in Seminyak and Canggu book out months in advance, flight prices from the UK carry significant premiums, and popular spots like Ubud's rice terrace viewpoints become very crowded.
Sources
- 10 Day Weather- — weather.com
- 10 Day Weather- — weather.com
- Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Weather Conditionsstar_ratehome — wunderground.com
- Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Weather Forecast — accuweather.com (2021)
- 10-Day Weather Forecast for Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia — weather.com
- Bali Weather & Bali Climate | The Best Time to Travel to Bali — bali.com
- Bali (Indonesia) weather — weather.metoffice.gov.uk
