BALI WEATHER IN NOVEMBER
– Wet Season Begins · East Coast Surf · Best Value of the Year –
November is when Bali’s dry spell finally breaks, with afternoon showers returning, rice terraces flushing green again, and dry-season crowds thinning out fast.
November at a Glance
What to Expect in November
November marks Bali’s transition from the long dry season into the wet season proper. The reliable, rain-free stretch that ran from April through October comes to an end, and afternoon cloud building becomes a daily feature. Mornings are still frequently clear and sunny, often the best weather of the day, but by early-to-mid afternoon, cumulus clouds build over the hills and showers move through, typically brief but occasionally heavy.
Temperatures stay warm throughout, with daytime highs of 26-30°C and only a slight cooling in the evening to 23-25°C. Humidity climbs to around 82%, noticeably muggier than the 75-80% typical of the dry season months, which is what makes November feel hot even though the numbers themselves aren’t the year’s highest.
Rainfall increases sharply from October’s trickle. Expect around 150-190mm spread across roughly 13 days. This isn’t the all-day monsoon rain of January; showers are typically short, intense downpours lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours, then clearing. The trade-off is worthwhile: the rain brings the island’s rice terraces, jungle, and waterfalls back to their most vivid green after months of dry-season dust.
The upside of the changing weather is a quieter, better-value island. The big dry-season crowds from July through September are long gone, and the Christmas-New Year rush hasn’t started yet. Hotel and villa rates sit at or near their lowest point of the year for most of the month, tightening up again only in the final week as December bookings begin.
Weather by Area
Bali’s geography means November’s rain doesn’t land evenly. Where you base yourself changes how much of the wet season you’ll actually notice.
- Canggu & Seminyak (West Coast) — warm and humid at around 27°C, with brief but sometimes intense afternoon showers rolling in off the sea. Mornings are usually the calmest, driest window of the day, and the density of cafes, beach clubs, and restaurants makes it easy to duck into shelter when a shower hits.
- Ubud (Central Highlands) — a few degrees cooler than the coast, with mornings that can turn misty before the day clears. Rain tends to arrive earlier here than on the coast and lingers longer once it starts — but it’s also what keeps Ubud’s rice terraces and jungle so lush through November.
- Kintamani (Mountain / Caldera) — the coolest and wettest area covered here. Sitting above 1,000m on the rim of the Batur caldera, Kintamani sees heavier, longer rain spells and genuinely chilly nights, sometimes dropping into the high teens Celsius. Mist is common through the morning.
- Uluwatu & Nusa Dua (Bukit Peninsula) — rainfall here is moderate rather than heavy, and the peninsula’s limestone terrain drains fast, so sunshine often returns within an hour of a shower passing. Seas can turn rougher and more wind-affected than in the dry season, particularly on west-facing beaches.
- Sanur & the Nusa Islands (East Coast) — Sanur’s east-facing, reef-sheltered beach keeps the sea calmer than the west coast even in November’s changeable winds. The Nusa Islands (Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan) run slightly drier than the highlands, though the crossing can be choppier and diving visibility more day-dependent than in the dry season.
Temperature & Comfort
Daytime temperatures of 26-30°C combined with climbing humidity make the middle of the day feel warmer than the dry season months, even though the actual numbers are similar. Evenings cool only slightly, to 23-25°C on the coast, light and breathable clothing is comfortable after dark without needing a layer. Highland areas like Ubud and especially Kintamani run noticeably cooler, and a light jacket is genuinely useful for evenings in the hills.
Rainfall & Sunshine
Expect around 13 rainy days through the month, concentrated in the afternoon and evening rather than spread evenly across the day. Sunshine averages around 7 hours daily, lower than the dry season’s 9-10 hours, but still enough for a proper beach morning most days. When the sun is out, the UV index remains very high; cloud cover doesn’t reduce sunburn risk as much as it feels like it should.
Surf Conditions
November is a genuine turning point for Bali’s surf. As the first northwest monsoon winds establish, they start blowing onshore on the Bukit Peninsula’s west-facing breaks (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin), while blowing offshore on the east coast, the exact opposite of the dry season pattern. Keramas, Sanur Reef, and the Nusa Dua reef breaks (Sri Lanka, Geger, Mushroom Rock) begin firing through November as a result. The Bukit hasn’t shut down entirely: dawn sessions before the wind picks up can still be glassy and, with the crowds gone, some of the least crowded water of the year. Several surf camps rate November among the best months to learn, thanks to lighter winds and smaller, more forgiving swell than the big dry-season sets.
Crowds & Prices
November sits in Bali’s low season for tourism, and it’s a genuinely good time to visit if you don’t mind the trade-off. Beaches are quiet, restaurant tables rarely need booking, and hotel and villa rates are at or close to their annual low for most of the month. It’s an excellent window for travellers prioritising value, culture, and fewer crowds over guaranteed all-day sunshine.
It suits some trips better than others. If your priority is wall-to-wall dry-season sun, or a Mount Batur sunrise trek (the trail gets genuinely slippery and isn’t recommended once the rains set in), November will disappoint on those specific fronts. For everyone else, especially travellers happy to build a little flexibility into each day, November delivers real value without the heavier compromises of the wetter months later in the wet season.
November’s Daily Weather Rhythm
Unlike the dry season’s all-day reliability, November calls for a rain-aware routine: front-load outdoor plans into the morning, and treat the afternoon as flexible.
Early Morning: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
This is consistently the clearest and coolest window of a November day. Temple visits, sunrise viewpoints, and dive or snorkel departures should all be scheduled here, when skies are usually at their most reliable and the light is excellent for photography. (Mount Batur’s sunrise trek is the one exception: the trail is best avoided once the wet season sets in properly.)
Late Morning to Early Afternoon: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Cloud starts building over the highlands from mid-morning, but the coast is usually still dry. This remains a workable window for the beach, a pool day, or a boat trip to the Nusa Islands, just keep an eye on the sky and have a backup plan.
Afternoon: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The highest-risk window for rain. Showers are typically short and heavy rather than an all-day washout, but they’re frequent enough to plan around. This is the right time for a spa treatment, a cooking class, museum or gallery visits in Ubud or Seminyak, or simply riding out a downpour at a beach club with covered seating.
Evening: 6:00 PM – Late
Rain most often clears by early evening, leaving warm, humid nights that are comfortable for outdoor dining. Sunsets are hit-or-miss depending on cloud cover earlier in the day, but clear evenings deliver some spectacular colour once the afternoon storms have moved through.
When a November shower rolls through, The Forge on Jl. Petitenget is exactly where you want to be. Covered seating, cold craft beers and Bintangs, world sport across every timezone, and a kitchen running full pub classics from open to close. Low season means easier tables and a more local, regular crowd — this is when Bali's residents come out to claim their usual spot. Book or walk in: forgebali.com/reservations.
Best Things to Do in Bali in November
November rewards travellers who plan around the weather rather than against it. Mornings are for the outdoors, afternoons are for everything the rain doesn’t touch, and the island’s spiritual calendar is at one of its richest points of the year.
Culture & Temple Ceremonies
- Banyu Pinaruh and the Saraswati sequence: a run of purification ceremonies opens the month at beaches and holy springs island-wide, genuinely moving to witness respectfully from a distance
- Pura Tirta Empul: the holy spring temple is a reliable half-day trip regardless of rain, since the ritual bathing itself happens outdoors in flowing water
- Uluwatu Temple: the clifftop kecak fire dance at sunset remains one of Bali’s best evening activities; November’s clearer evening skies, once the afternoon rain has passed, often deliver excellent sunset colour
- Ubud’s art markets, galleries, and the Royal Palace: ideal for an overcast or rainy afternoon in the cultural heart of the island
Diving & Snorkelling
- Nusa Penida (Manta Point): manta rays remain reliably present through November, though surface chop can affect crossings on some days
- Tulamben (USAT Liberty Shipwreck): a sheltered, boat-free shore dive that’s workable regardless of weather elsewhere on the island
- Amed: Bali’s calmest east coast diving and snorkelling base, well protected from west-coast wind and swell
Note: visibility is more day-dependent than the dry season; ask your dive operator about conditions before booking multi-day trips
Surfing: East Coast Season Opens
- Keramas: the wet season’s headline break, firing with clean, offshore conditions as the NW monsoon sets in
- Sanur Reef: long, forgiving right-handers, good for intermediate surfers stepping up from the beach breaks
- Nusa Dua (Sri Lanka, Geger, Mushroom Rock): a range of reef breaks across ability levels, sheltered on the Bukit’s leeward side
- Uluwatu & Bingin: still surfable at dawn before the onshore wind builds; noticeably quieter than dry-season lineups
Wellness, Spas & Indoor Culture
- Ubud’s spa and yoga scene: the island’s best rain-day retreat, from traditional Balinese massage to full-day wellness packages
- Cooking classes in Ubud or Seminyak: a genuinely useful way to spend a rained-out afternoon
- Museums and galleries: the Neka Art Museum and ARMA in Ubud are excellent, weather-proof half-days
Nature & the Green Season
- Jatiluwih and Tegallalang rice terraces: at their most vivid green in November, freshly filled by the first rains
- Waterfalls (Tegenungan, Gitgit, Aling-Aling): running at their fullest flow of the year
- White-water rafting on the Ayung River: water levels are excellent through the wet season
Note: Mount Batur and Mount Agung treks are not recommended in November; trails become slippery and visibility drops once the rains set in
Beach & Coastal Life
- Morning beach time: the most reliable window before afternoon cloud builds
- Beach clubs with covered or indoor seating (Sanur, Seminyak): a comfortable base for a day that might include a shower or two
- Jimbaran Bay seafood dinner: an evening activity, largely unaffected by afternoon rain patterns
Events & Festivals in November
November opens with one of the most spiritually significant weeks in the Balinese Hindu calendar, followed by a run of regional cultural festivals through the rest of the month.
Banyu Pinaruh (1 November, Beaches & Holy Springs, Island-Wide)
The day after Saraswati Day, Banyu Pinaruh is a sunrise purification ceremony. Before dawn, Balinese Hindus gather at beaches, rivers, and sacred springs, Sanur, Kuta, and Pandawa beaches, and Tirta Empul among them, to bathe and pray, washing away impurities to begin the new Pawukon cycle with clarity. Arriving before 5:30 AM at Sanur or Pandawa gives visitors a respectful, distant view of the ceremony at its most powerful.
Pagerwesi (4 November, Island-Wide)
One of the most important holy days in the Balinese calendar, Pagerwesi (“iron fence”) celebrates the strength of spiritual knowledge as protection against negativity. Temples across the island hold ceremonies, with particularly significant observances at Pura Besakih, Bali’s mother temple on the slopes of Mount Agung.
Pemuteran Bay Festival (6 – 8 November, Pemuteran, North Bali)
A three-day marine conservation and cultural festival in one of North Bali’s most ecologically significant bays, home to some of Indonesia’s most successful coral reef restoration work. Cultural performances run alongside reef-focused activities. Pemuteran is roughly 2.5 hours from Kuta, worth combining with a stay at one of the bay’s dive resorts.
Makepung Lampit (15 November, Jembrana, West Bali)
A distinctive and visually spectacular tradition unique to Jembrana Regency: pairs of decorated water buffalo pull wooden sleds across flooded rice fields, raced by standing jockeys. Fast, loud, and thoroughly local, a world away from Bali’s beach clubs.
Goa Lawah Festival (23 November, Klungkung)
A cultural festival centred on Goa Lawah, the sacred bat cave temple in Klungkung Regency. Part of the official 2026 Bali events calendar, it brings traditional performances, craft and culinary exhibitions, and gamelan competitions to the temple’s rest area, aimed at introducing the site’s blend of religious, cultural, and natural appeal to a wider audience.
What to Pack for November in Bali
Clothing Essentials
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothing: cotton and linen struggle to dry between showers; technical or travel fabrics cope better
- A packable rain jacket or poncho: far more useful in November than a regular umbrella when the wind picks up
- Light layer or hoodie: genuinely useful for cooler evenings in Ubud and especially Kintamani
- Closed-toe shoes with good grip: pathways, temple steps, and rice terrace trails get slippery in the wet
- Sarong: required for temple visits; inexpensive and available everywhere locally
- Quick-dry towel and a spare set of clothes: worth keeping in your bag for the day a shower catches you out
Sun & Protection
- SPF 50+ sunscreen: UV stays high even under November’s cloud cover
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses: for the still-frequent sunny mornings
- Small travel umbrella or poncho: for sudden afternoon downpours
- Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag: genuinely useful for boat trips and caught-in-the-rain moments
Activity-Specific
- A 2-3mm shorty wetsuit or rash guard: helpful for longer surf sessions in the wet season’s slightly cooler water
- Reef-safe sunscreen: for diving and snorkelling days
- Sturdy sandals or trekking shoes: for rice terrace walks and waterfall visits
- A dry bag for electronics: useful if you’re moving between indoor and outdoor spaces often
Health & Comfort
- Insect repellent: standing water from the rains increases mosquito activity; apply in the evenings and in rural or jungle areas
- Basic rehydration or electrolyte sachets: helpful in the humidity
Best Areas to Stay in November
With rainfall varying meaningfully by region in November, where you base yourself has a real effect on how much of the wet season you actually experience.
Bukit Peninsula / Uluwatu & Nusa Dua
The best bet for the driest microclimate on the island this month. The limestone terrain drains fast, and rain clears quicker here than almost anywhere else in Bali. Combined with the east coast’s rising surf and the clifftop sunset bars, it’s a strong all-round pick for November.
Best for: surfers chasing the wet-season swell, sunset chasers, travellers prioritising drier days.
Seminyak / Petitenget
Bali’s easiest base for riding out a shower. The density of cafes, restaurants, spas, and The Forge means an afternoon downpour is barely an inconvenience. Beach clubs and restaurants are markedly easier to book than in peak season.
Best for: travellers who want dining, nightlife, and reliable rain shelter within walking distance.
Ubud
November is when Ubud’s rice terraces and jungle look their absolute best, freshly green from the first rains, without the crowds of the dry season’s arts festival months. Expect misty mornings and a genuine chance of afternoon rain most days.
Best for: cultural travellers, wellness seekers, and photographers chasing the green season at its peak.
Sanur
A calmer, more sheltered sea than the west coast even in November’s changeable winds, plus family-friendly beaches and this year’s Sanur Village Festival on the calendar. A relaxed, distinctly local-feeling alternative to Seminyak’s pace.
Best for: families, first-time visitors, and travellers wanting a quieter, more traditional base.
November is when Bali's residents reclaim their usual tables. With the dry-season crowds gone, The Forge on Jl. Petitenget runs exactly as it always does: cold craft beers, Bintangs, world sport on every screen, and a full pub kitchen from open to close, just with more room to enjoy it. A great month to become a regular. Book or walk in: forgebali.com/reservations.
November in Bali — Practical Tips
Timing Tips
- Early-to-mid November tends to be drier than the back half of the month, as the wet season builds through the weeks
- The first week’s Saraswati-season ceremonies (Banyu Pinaruh, Pagerwesi) are worth timing a trip around for culturally minded travellers
Managing the Rain
- Build a flexible afternoon into each day rather than fixed plans; a two-hour rain window rarely ruins a whole day
- Keep a rain jacket or poncho accessible rather than packed away, November showers arrive with little warning
- Allow extra transfer time in the afternoon; brief but heavy downpours can slow traffic on the Seminyak-Canggu corridor
Health & Safety
- Dengue risk rises with the wet season’s standing water: use repellent consistently, especially at dawn and dusk
- Roads can develop standing water quickly in heavy downpours: factor this in if self-driving a scooter
- Mount Batur and Mount Agung treks are not recommended this month; check with your accommodation before booking any highland hike
Budget Management
- November offers some of the best accommodation value of the year: negotiate weekly villa rates, especially outside the first week
- Flights are typically at their cheapest of the year from major hubs
- Restaurants and beach clubs rarely need advance booking
Other Monthly Weather Guides
In Bali? Find Your Table
Whatever the weather outside, The Forge is your home base. Cold craft beers, live sports on the big screen, and the best gastropub food on the island — rain or shine, we’re open every day.
-
Food -
Drinks -
Sports
