Best time to visit Bali
Bali has two seasons. The dry season (April–October) is best for beaches, Nusa Penida and Gili boats and the Mount Batur trek, with peak crowds in July and August. The wet season (November–March) brings short, heavy afternoon showers, greener terraces and lower prices. Check the Nyepi date in March, when the island shuts for 24 hours.
Seasons in Bali
- Dry season, Apr–Oct: Sunny days, calm seas and cool nights in Ubud and Munduk. Best for Penida, Gili, Batur treks and surfing. In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
- Wet season (monsoon), Nov–Mar: Humid, with heavy afternoon showers and choppier fast-boat crossings. Mornings are often clear and the rice terraces are greenest.
Peak, shoulder and off season in Bali
- Peak season, Jul–Aug, Dec: July–August school holidays and Christmas–New Year bring the highest villa and fast-boat prices. Book early.
- Shoulder season, Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct: The sweet spot: dry weather with fewer crowds and better rates than July–August.
- Off season, Jan–Mar, Nov: Wet-season months with the best deals. Nyepi (usually March) shuts the island and airport for a day.
Bali in January
Wet season (monsoon) · Off season
Wet season peak: humid with heavy afternoon showers; Penida and Gili crossings are choppier. Lower prices after New Year.
Bali in February
Wet season (monsoon) · Off season
Still wet and quieter; good value for Ubud spa-and-culture trips. Check fast-boat forecasts before island days.
Bali in March
Wet season (monsoon) · Off season
End of the wet season. Nyepi (Balinese new year) falls in March most years — the island and the airport shut for 24 hours.
Bali in April
Dry season · Shoulder season
Dry season begins; terraces still green and crowds light. A good-value month.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in May
Dry season · Shoulder season
One of the best months: dry, green and before peak prices. Good for Batur treks, Penida and Gili.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in June
Dry season · Shoulder season
Dry with cooler evenings; good surf at Uluwatu and Canggu. School holidays in Asia and Australia make late June busy.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in July
Dry season · Peak season
Peak season: dry and sunny, cool nights in Ubud and Munduk. Book villas and fast boats early.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in August
Dry season · Peak season
Peak continues with Independence Day (17 Aug) parades; busy viewpoints at Uluwatu and Penida, highest prices.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in September
Dry season · Shoulder season
Excellent shoulder month: dry, calm seas and fewer crowds after August.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Munduk & Bedugul, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in October
Dry season · Shoulder season
Last reliable dry month; good diving in Amed and Penida. Flights around Diwali and Australian spring holidays fill early.
In season: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, Sidemen, Amed, Gili Islands.
Bali in November
Wet season (monsoon) · Off season
Transition to the wet season with more showers late in the month; Amed seas often still calm.
In season: Amed.
Bali in December
Wet season (monsoon) · Peak season
Wet season with afternoon storms; Christmas–New Year peak prices in the south.