BALI WEATHER GUIDE
From golden dry-season skies to the lush drama of the monsoon, know exactly what awaits you on the Island of the Gods.
Understanding Bali's Climate
Bali sits just 8° south of the equator, giving it a warm tropical climate year-round with two distinct seasons that shape everything from surf conditions to festival schedules.
Bali's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon (Am), particularly in central/northern areas, and Tropical Savanna (Aw) in the south, under the Köppen system.
Temperatures remain remarkably stable throughout the year, hovering between 24°C and 32°C at sea level. What changes dramatically between months is rainfall — the defining variable that separates Bali's two seasons.
The island's volcanic geography creates microclimates. The central highlands around Kintamani sit at 1,500m above sea level and can feel significantly cooler, especially at night, while the beach resorts of Seminyak and Nusa Dua bask in warm coastal breezes year-round.
Humidity remains consistently above 75% year-round, ranging from around 78-81% during the dry season to 81-82% at the height of the wet season. Even during the rainiest months, Bali's storms are typically short, intense tropical downpours — rarely the kind of all-day grey drizzle that visitors from temperate climates might dread.
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Dry Season
April – October
Bali's peak tourist season. Clear skies dominate, humidity drops to comfortable levels, and the southeast trade winds keep temperatures pleasant. Ideal for outdoor adventures, beach activities, surfing, and trekking.
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Wet Season
November – March
The island comes alive with lush greenery, dramatic skies, and far fewer crowds. Rain arrives mainly in intense afternoon bursts; mornings are typically dry and bright. Waterfalls roar, rice terraces glow vivid green, and hotel rates drop significantly.
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Surf Seasons
Bali's surf conditions are season-dependent. The dry season brings world-class swells to the famous breaks of Uluwatu and Padang Padang on the west coast, while the wet season favours breaks on the east and north coasts including Keramas, Nusa Dua, and Amed.
Best Time to Travel to Bali
The 'best' time to visit Bali depends entirely on what you want from your trip. Here is how we break it down across three distinct windows
BEST CHOICE
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PEAK SEASON
July – August
The absolute best weather Bali offers. Dry, breezy, and sunny every day. Expect maximum crowds and premium hotel rates — book well in advance. The surf at Uluwatu and Padang Padang reaches its annual best, beach clubs are in full swing, and the island buzzes with energy.
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SHOULDER SEASON
May–June & September–October
The smart traveller's window. Excellent weather, manageable crowds, and meaningfully lower prices than peak. May–June marks the opening of the dry season with everything fresh and uncrowded; September–October sees the crowds thin while conditions remain superb. Arguably the best overall value for a Bali trip.
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GREEN SEASON
November – March
Budget-friendly and lush. Perfect for those seeking culture, rice-terrace scenery, spa experiences, and a more authentic, less commercial Bali. Accommodation prices can be 30–50% lower than peak. Pack a light rain jacket and plan outdoor activities for the mornings.
THE FORGE BALI’S TAKE
No matter when you visit Bali, The Forge is your home base for cold beers, live sports, and hearty gastropub fare. Whether you've arrived after a sun-soaked day on Kuta Beach or ducked in from a tropical downpour, you'll find your game on the big screen and a Bintang waiting. The Forge open every day, rain or shine.
Bali Weather Every Month
A quick-reference guide to Bali's weather across all twelve months of the year.
Bali Weather Month by Month
Everything you need to know about each month of the year, including weather conditions, key events, and recommended activities.
JANUARY
January is Bali's wettest month. Heavy afternoon downpours are common, often accompanied by dramatic lightning over the ocean. Mornings tend to be bright, making early activities worthwhile. Despite the rain, temperatures remain warm and the island is lush and vibrantly green.
Best activities: Temple visits, cooking classes, spa days, Ubud art scene, waterfall chasing.
FEBRUARY
February continues the wet season but with slightly less intensity than January. This month can also see the Galungan festival — an extraordinary time to experience local culture when the streets are lined with elaborate penjor bamboo poles and offerings fill every temple.
Best activities: Cultural festivals, rice terrace walks, indoor spa experiences, budget shopping.
MARCH
March marks the transition toward the dry season. Rainfall decreases and sunny spells become longer and more reliable. Nyepi — Bali's Day of Silence — typically falls in March, an extraordinary 24-hour experience when the entire island shuts down for meditation.
Best activities: Nyepi experience, early west coast surfing, hiking, affordable luxury stays.
APRIL
April signals the proper onset of the dry season. Rain becomes increasingly rare and humidity drops to comfortable levels. The landscape is still lush and green from the wet season while the skies clear to brilliant blue. A fantastic month for outdoor activities.
Best activities: Trekking Mount Batur, beach relaxation, diving and snorkelling, cycling tours.
MAY
One of Bali's finest months. Dry, warm, and still relatively quiet before the European summer crowds arrive. The southeast trade winds begin to pick up, creating ideal surf conditions at west coast breaks like Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin.
Best activities: Surfing west coast, outdoor dining, temple ceremonies, water sports.
JUNE
June is the beginning of Bali's high season. Nearly zero rainfall, comfortable temperatures, and crystal-clear visibility. The Bali Arts Festival runs throughout June, celebrating traditional Balinese dance, music, and crafts.
Best activities: Bali Arts Festival, diving, surfing, all outdoor activities.
JULY
July is Bali's peak tourist month. The weather is spectacular — warm, dry, and breezy. Expect the most crowds and the highest prices of the year. The surf at Uluwatu and Padang Padang reaches its annual best.
Best activities: World-class surfing, beach clubs, all outdoor activities.
AUGUST
August remains at the top of peak season. Nearly zero rainfall and crystal-clear ocean water. Indonesian Independence Day falls on August 17th — a celebratory occasion island-wide. The Kuta Karnival typically takes place this month.
Best activities: Independence Day celebrations, beach festivals, surf competitions, diving.
SEPTEMBER
September is arguably Bali's best kept secret. Excellent weather continues while crowds thin significantly. Prices begin to ease from peak rates. This month offers the single best balance of great weather and manageable visitor numbers.
Best activities: Uncrowded beach time, scuba diving, Ubud day trips, sunset cocktails.
OCTOBER
October is a transitional month. Temperatures begin rising and occasional showers return, though most days remain pleasant and sunny. The rice fields are newly planted — a photogenic time for agricultural landscape photography.
Best activities: Rice field photography, cultural immersion, budget deals beginning to emerge.
NOVEMBER
November marks the beginning of the wet season. Afternoon storms become more frequent, but mornings are typically dry and warm. Bali's famous greenery reaches its peak intensity and the island's waterfalls become extraordinary spectacles.
Best activities: Waterfall trekking, east coast surfing, yoga retreats, Ubud cultural experiences.
DECEMBER
December brings the wet season into full swing. Christmas and New Year see a surge of tourists. The Seminyak and Kuta scene is electric over the holidays. At The Forge, the rain enhances the warm, cosy gastropub atmosphere.
Best activities: New Year celebrations, festive beach events, indoor dining and bar scene.
Dry Season vs Wet Season
Both seasons offer a remarkable Bali experience, the key is knowing what each one brings to the island.
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DRY SEASON
April - October
The dry season is driven by southeastern trade winds blowing from Australia across the Indian Ocean toward Bali. These winds suppress rainfall and push warm surface water away from the coast, keeping temperatures slightly cooler than the wet season — a pleasant paradox for a tropical island.
Visibility for diving and snorkelling reaches its annual peak during the dry months, particularly around the dive sites of Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida (where manta rays are a year-round presence), and the Liberty Shipwreck. Water temperatures sit around 26–28°C.
The famous surf breaks of the Bukit Peninsula fire at their most consistent from May through September, with July and August offering the best combination of swell size and frequency. Dust can be an issue on unpaved roads in the peak dry months of July–August.
What to expect during the dry season:
• Near-zero rainfall from June to August
• Lower humidity (65–75%), comfortable at all hours
• World-class surfing on the west coast (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland)
• Excellent diving and snorkelling visibility (15–30m+)
• Perfect conditions for Mount Batur sunrise treks
• All outdoor activities at their absolute peak
• Maximum crowds at Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud
• Premium accommodation prices — book well in advance
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WET SEASON
November - March
The wet season arrives as the trade winds reverse and moisture-laden air from the northwest Indian Ocean brings daily rainfall to the island. Crucially, Bali's wet season is not like monsoons in other parts of Asia — rain rarely falls all day. The typical pattern is a warm, bright morning followed by increasingly heavy clouds and an intense afternoon downpour, often clearing before sunset.
The island transforms dramatically during the wet season. Rice terraces reach vivid luminescent green, rivers run strong, and the famous waterfalls of central and northern Bali — Gitgit, Sekumpul, Nungnung, and Tegenungan — become extraordinary spectacles of power and beauty.
Bali's temple ceremonies and cultural calendar are particularly rich during this period, as the wet season aligns with the rice planting and harvest cycles that form the backbone of Balinese Hinduism. Visitors during this period often report a more authentic, spiritually-resonant experience of Bali.
What to expect during the wet season:
• 30–50% lower accommodation prices (except Christmas/New Year)
• Far fewer tourists at temples, attractions, and beaches
• Waterfalls at maximum power and beauty
• Lush, photogenic rice terrace scenery throughout Bali
• East and north coast surf season (Keramas, Nusa Dua, Amed)
• Dramatic skies ideal for landscape photography
• Rich cultural calendar with temple ceremonies and festivals
• Rain typically arrives in the afternoon, leaving mornings free for outdoor activities
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.
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