The short version
Dry season runs roughly April to October. Wet season is November to March. Peak tourist crush is July–August and the last two weeks of December. If you're flexible, aim for the shoulder months (May, June, September, early October), the weather is still excellent and the island breathes.
Month by month
| Month | Weather | What's good | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Wet, humid | Waterfalls at full flow, rice fields at their greenest | Some surf spots on the east coast are unpredictable |
| February | Wet, hot | Diving on the east coast, coffee harvest in the highlands | Occasional heavy afternoon rain |
| March | Tapering rain | Nyepi (Day of Silence), the whole island shuts down for 24h | Book flights around Nyepi carefully; the airport closes too |
| April | Drying out | Great all-round month, mangoes starting | Nice balance of green landscapes and dry days |
| May | Dry, warm | Ideal, quiet, sunny, everything open | Our top recommendation month |
| June | Dry, breezy | Surf season starts on the west coast, Bali Arts Festival begins | Crowds still light before school holidays |
| July | Dry, cooler | Peak surf, festivals, mountain hikes | Very crowded, book everything early |
| August | Dry, cool nights | Best weather of the year | Peak crowds and prices; expect traffic in the south |
| September | Dry | Still excellent, crowds thinning | A great month if you missed May |
| October | Warming, first rains | Green returning, prices dropping | Quiet, good for slow travel |
| November | Wet season starts | Fewer visitors, lush landscapes | Pack a rain shell; afternoons can be intense |
| December | Wet, festive | Christmas–New Year buzz in the south | Prices spike Dec 20–Jan 5; avoid if you can |
Ceremonies to know about
- Nyepi (March), the Day of Silence. No flights in or out, no lights, no going outside. Beautiful if you plan for it; miserable if you don't.
- Galungan & Kuningan (rotates every 210 days), the biggest religious cycle. Temples are dressed with penjor bamboo poles; villages are quiet.
- Bali Arts Festival (mid-June to mid-July), a month-long showcase of traditional arts in Denpasar. Worth planning a day around.
Our honest recommendation
If you want the best trade-off between weather, crowds, and price, come in May, June, or September. If you want the island at its most cinematic and don't mind rain, come in February. Avoid July–August unless you specifically want the peak-season energy, you'll spend more and see less.