Bali is located about 8 degrees south of the equator so it’s hard to tell when it is best time to visit Bali . Therefore you can expect a tropical, warm and humid climate all year round – with two main distinctive seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season. Bali’s central mountains (volcanoes) include several peaks, with Mount Agung reaching over 3,000 meters in elevation. Up there, the temperatures are considerably cooler, and there is much more rainfall than in the coastal areas.
High season is during July and August, during Easter Holidays, and Christmas / New Year (December till 1st week of January). It is the busiest time in Bali.
However, for many reasons, the best time to visit Bali is April, May, June and September, just before and just after high season. It’s still dry season, it’s slightly less humid, and room prices and villa rentals can be 30-50% cheaper than during high season. Many shops offer sales and promotions, restaurants are less crowded in those mid-season months, and in general, Bali is a bit more relaxed. October is not too bad either, still much less rain than November (usually, check the rainfall chart).
Those months are also the best time for water sport activities such as scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling, etc. Waters are clear, crowd not too bad etc. Major activities and attractions such as Bali Zoo, Bali Bird Park, Marine & Safari Park, Waterbom, White Water Rafting, Monkey Forest, etc. have less visitors which make the experience more enjoyable.
If you wish to explore the island and visit the main sightseeing spots, temples and go for a day trip and tour, then those months are also perfect. And not to forget, in general, the traffic and hustle bustle on the roads in the main tourist areas is more bearable. Some tourists love it when it’s busy, and couldn’t imagine a holiday otherwise, but if you like it quieter, then Kuta and Legian, Seminyak during high season might not be the best choice.
Dry and rainy season in Bali
Dry Season
April to October
Less rain with cool breezes
Bali receives the most visitors during July & August. Temperatures are pretty steady all year round but during the dry season, the evenings can be pleasantly fresh. During Bali’s dry season, beaches are generally clean, and Bali shows its pretty side. One can still expect occasional rainfall though; sometimes even the locals are surprised how dry a week during the rainy season can be and the other way around. Have a look at the chart below and check out temperatures, no. of days with rainfall etc. in the capital Denpasar (south Bali near Kuta, Seminyak, etc). If you have a choice, then yes, better to avoid the classical rainy months to minimize the risk of bad weather. But, you can have amazing sunny days all year round for sure.
Rainy Season
November to March
Rainy & generally hotter
During rainy season Bali becomes quieter. The sea is rougher, the beaches and the sea in the south (Kuta, Legian, Seminyak) can be quite dirty due to debris washed onto the shore during January and February. It’s not happening always and got better over the last few years, but it can happen and depends on wind conditions and currents. During rainy season winds are stronger at the coast, the water currents pick up, and it can rain in buckets. Although, usually the rain stops after a few hours and the sun shines again. A lot of the times it rains during the night and days are o.k. Very rarely, you have a few days when it rains continuously. Lately, weather is changing, and a November can be as dry as an August – it got much more unpredictable.
Overview
May, June & September best time – April & October still good
Room prices for these months 30-50% off high season rates
Still dry and less humid
Not too crowded
Sea conditions excellent
Sales in Shops
Best time to visit Bali depends mainly on the weather also high and low season in terms of “school holiday schedules”, which does affect the overall price for accommodation and even the number of people you share the island with.
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