Best Time to Visit Bali: Weather, Rainy Season & Crowds (2026)

When is the best time to visit Bali? If you’re planning a trip to Bali, the weather is probably one of the first things you’ll want to figure out.

Bali is warm throughout the year, but there is a clear dry season and rainy season, and they can make a difference depending on what you want to do.

I visited Bali in June and, personally, I couldn’t have asked for better weather. I had good weather throughout my trip, it was warm without feeling unbearably hot, and it was a great time for beaches, exploring and excursions.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean June is the only good time to visit Bali.

The rainy season can still be a good option, and the busiest months aren’t always the best months if you want to keep costs down and avoid crowds.

Here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit Bali, including the rainy season, dry season, temperatures, crowds and the months I’d personally choose.

If you’re still deciding whether Bali belongs on your itinerary, read my honest guide on whether Bali is worth visiting before planning your trip.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Bali?

For the best combination of good weather and fewer crowds, I’d choose May, June or September.

These months fall within Bali’s dry season, but avoid the busiest part of the summer holidays.

If I had to pick just one month based on my own experience, I’d choose June.

I visited Bali in June and had great weather throughout my trip. It was warm and sunny, but I never felt like the heat was too much, which made it really enjoyable for exploring and doing activities.

My favourite months at a glance

Month	Weather	Crowds	My take
January	🌧️ Rainy	Lower	Not my first choice
February	🌧️ Rainy	Lower	Wettest period
March	🌦️ Rainy	Lower	Can still be okay
April	☀️ Mostly dry	Lower	Great for activities
May	☀️ Dry	Lower	⭐ Excellent
June	☀️ Dry	Moderate	⭐ My favourite
July	☀️ Dry	High	Great weather, busy
August	☀️ Dry	High	Great weather, expensive
September	☀️ Dry	Lower	⭐ Excellent
October	🌦️ Transition	Lower	Good option
November	🌧️ Rainy	Lower	Increasing rainfall
December	🌧️ Rainy	High	Wet + holiday crowds

The best time to visit also depends on how much of the island you want to explore. If you’re still planning your route, my guide on how long you need in Bali will help you decide how many days to spend on the island.

Bali’s Dry Season: April to September

Bali’s dry season generally runs from April to September.

This is the most popular time to visit because you have a better chance of sunny days and relatively little rain.

It’s a great period for:

Beaches
Surfing
Scuba diving and snorkelling
Hiking
Exploring the island
Boat trips
Outdoor excursions

If you’re planning a trip where you’ll be outside most of the day, the dry season is generally the easiest option.

April to June: One of the Best Periods

I particularly like April to June for a Bali trip.

The weather is generally good, but you avoid the peak summer crowds that arrive later in the season.

It’s also a great period for beach days and excursions because you’re more likely to get the dry, sunny conditions you’re hoping for.

If you’re flexible with your dates, this is a period I’d definitely consider.

Saar relaxing by the pool at Spice Trader in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

July and August: Great Weather, But Very Busy

July and August are some of the most popular months to visit Bali.

And there’s a pretty obvious reason for that: the weather is usually great.

But the downside is that everyone else knows this too.

These are among the busiest months of the year, particularly in popular areas such as Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Ubud.

You’ll also generally pay more for accommodation and other tourist services during the peak season.

So while July and August are excellent weather-wise, they’re not necessarily the months I’d choose.

If you’re able to travel slightly earlier or later, May, June or September can give you a much better balance.

If you’re trying to decide which area suits you best, I’ve also compared Canggu and Uluwatu based on my own experience, including their atmosphere and what you can expect from each destination.

September: Great Weather With Fewer Crowds

September is another month I’d put high on my list.

You still have the benefits of Bali’s dry season, but the huge July and August crowds have started to disappear.

This can also make September a more budget-friendly option compared with the peak summer months.

So if you’re choosing between August and September, I’d personally lean towards September.

Bali’s Rainy Season: October to March

Bali’s rainy season generally runs from October to March.

This is when you’ll get more rainfall and higher humidity, and if your main priority is guaranteed sunny beach days, I’d probably choose the dry season instead.

However, I wouldn’t completely rule out the rainy season.

The name “rainy season” can make it sound like it rains all day every day, which isn’t necessarily what happens.

In many cases, you might get one or two hours of heavy rain, followed by perfectly warm and enjoyable weather for the rest of the day.

So if you’re travelling on a budget or don’t mind some unpredictable weather, the rainy season can still work.

December to February: The Wettest Months

December, January and February are generally the wettest period in Bali.

These months are when you’re most likely to experience heavier and more frequent rain.

But even then, rain doesn’t necessarily mean your entire day is ruined.

You could have a tropical downpour for an hour or two and then be back outside afterwards.

Personally, I’d still choose the dry season if I had complete flexibility, but I wouldn’t cancel a Bali trip purely because you’re travelling during the rainy season.

Another thing to consider: Thailand

One interesting thing about Bali’s rainy season is that it can actually work well if you’re travelling around Southeast Asia.

For example, Thailand’s seasons are different from Bali’s, meaning you can potentially plan your trip around the weather rather than staying in one country for the entire trip.

So if you’re travelling for several months, you could spend your wetter months somewhere with better weather and visit Bali during its dry season.

This is one of the advantages of having a longer Southeast Asia itinerary.

October: The Best Month of the Rainy Season?

If you want to travel during Bali’s rainy season but still want a decent chance of good weather, October can be an interesting option.

It’s around the transition from dry to wet season and is generally one of the drier months of the rainy-season period.

October can also be a good month for scuba diving, depending on the specific area and conditions.

You’ll still have the possibility of rain, but you can avoid some of the heavier rainfall that tends to come later in the season.

When Is Bali the Cheapest?

If your priority is keeping your trip affordable, I’d avoid the peak summer months of July and August.

These months are particularly popular with international travellers, which means accommodation and other tourist prices can increase.

The rainy season can be more budget-friendly, although prices can also rise around Christmas and New Year because of holiday travel.

For a good combination of weather + price, I’d personally look at:

May, June or September.

That’s one of the reasons June worked so well for me.

I got the dry-season weather without travelling during the absolute busiest part of the summer.

Nusa Penida treehouse viewpoint overlooking the coastline

When Is Bali the Busiest?

The busiest period is generally around July and August, when many people travel during the European and international summer holidays.

Popular areas can get particularly crowded during this period.

And Bali is already a very touristy destination.

When I visited, I noticed just how international some parts of the island have become. Coming from Australia, where I had barely heard Dutch for months, it was honestly funny to arrive in Bali and suddenly hear Dutch and Flemish everywhere.

Places like Canggu can feel especially busy and international.

So if you’re looking for a slightly calmer experience, I’d avoid July and August if you can.

I noticed this particularly in Canggu, which felt very busy and international when I visited. If you’re considering staying there, read my Canggu Travel Guide for my recommendations, or find out whether Canggu is worth visiting if you’re unsure whether it’s the right fit for your trip.

Best Time to Visit Bali for Beaches

If your main goal is beaches, swimming and sunny days, I’d choose April to September, with May, June and September being particularly attractive.

The dry season gives you a better chance of clear, sunny days and makes it easier to plan full days around the coast.

April to June is especially nice if you want to combine beach time with excursions and exploring.

Best Time to Visit Bali for Diving

If scuba diving is one of the main reasons you’re visiting Bali, timing can be a little more complicated because conditions vary depending on where you’re diving.

October can be a good option for scuba diving, particularly around the transition between seasons.

However, always check local diving conditions before booking because visibility and sea conditions can change.

Best Time to Visit Bali for Hiking and Outdoor Activities

For hiking, sightseeing and outdoor adventures, I’d personally choose the dry season.

April to September gives you a better chance of avoiding rain during activities where you really don’t want it.

This is particularly useful if you’re planning longer excursions or hikes where you can’t simply wait for the rain to pass.

June worked really well for me because I could spend the day exploring without constantly worrying about a tropical downpour.

Sunrise over Mount Batur in Bali after an early morning hike

So, What Is the Best Month to Visit Bali?

If you want me to pick just one month:

June.

I visited Bali in June and had an amazing experience weather-wise. I had good weather throughout my trip, it was warm but not unbearably hot, and it was a great time for beaches and excursions.

But if June doesn’t work for you, I’d also look at May or September.

These months give you a similar balance of good weather and fewer crowds compared with July and August.

My Bali ranking

🥇 June – my personal favourite
🥈 May – great weather + fewer crowds
🥉 September – dry season without peak summer crowds
April – great for outdoor activities
July–August – excellent weather, but busy and more expensive
October – transition month and potentially good for diving
November–March – rainy season, but still possible
December–February – wettest period

Final Thoughts: When Should You Visit Bali?

There isn’t one perfect month for everyone.

If you want the best combination of weather, activities and manageable crowds, I’d choose May, June or September.

If you don’t mind rain and want to travel more cheaply, the rainy season can still be worth considering. The rain often comes in shorter, heavier bursts rather than lasting the entire day, so you can still have plenty of sunshine and warm weather.

Personally, June was perfect for me. I had great weather throughout my trip and never felt like the heat was too much.

And if you’re planning a longer Southeast Asia trip, don’t forget to look at the seasons across different countries. Bali’s rainy season doesn’t line up perfectly with places like Thailand, so you can sometimes plan your route around the weather.

My biggest tip? Don’t overthink it too much. Bali is tropical, so rain is always possible. But choosing the right season can definitely make your trip easier, especially if beaches, outdoor adventures and exploring are high on your list.

If you want to know whether Bali itself is worth visiting, I’ve also written about my honest experience in Bali, including what I loved, what I didn’t and why I would still recommend visiting, but probably not spending your entire Indonesia trip there.

Planning a Trip to Indonesia?

I’ve written more Indonesia travel guides based on my own experiences, including destinations, stays and things I actually did during my trip.

If you’re planning your own Indonesia adventure, check out my Indonesia travel guides for more honest travel tips, places to visit and ideas for your itinerary.

→ START HERE: Indonesia travel guide

OR START BY AREA

→ BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
→ LOMBOK TRAVEL GUIDE

Is Bali Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion After Visiting Bali
How to Get Around Bali: Transport Guide for First-Time Visitors
Canggu vs Uluwatu: Which Is Better in Bali?

More Indonesia Guides:

7 Best Places to Visit in Bali: My Honest Ranking
Is Indonesia Safe for Solo Female Travel? My Honest Experience

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Time to Visit Bali

What is the best month to visit Bali?

The best months to visit Bali are generally May, June and September. These months offer good weather while avoiding the busiest period of July and August. I personally visited Bali in June and had great weather throughout my trip.

What months are rainy season in Bali?

Bali’s rainy season generally runs from October to March, with December to February usually being the wettest months. However, rain often comes in shorter heavy showers rather than lasting all day.

Is June a good time to visit Bali?

Yes, June is one of the best months to visit Bali. It falls within the dry season, with warm and generally sunny weather, while being less busy than July and August. I visited Bali in June and had excellent weather.

Is Bali worth visiting during the rainy season?

Yes, Bali can still be worth visiting during the rainy season. You may get one or two hours of heavy rain, but the rest of the day can still be warm and enjoyable. It’s also generally less crowded than the dry-season peak.

When is Bali the busiest?

Bali is generally busiest during July and August. These months have great weather but also larger crowds and higher prices, especially in popular areas such as Canggu, Uluwatu and Ubud.

What is the cheapest time to visit Bali?

The rainy season can be cheaper than the peak dry season, although prices can increase around Christmas and New Year. For a good balance between weather and prices, consider May, June or September.

What is the best time to visit Bali for beaches?

April to September is generally the best period for beaches, with May, June and September offering a particularly good balance of dry weather and fewer crowds.

Is October a good time to visit Bali?

October can be a good transition month between the dry and rainy seasons. It is generally drier than the later rainy-season months and can also be a good period for scuba diving, depending on local conditions.

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Best Time to Visit Bali: Weather, Rainy Season & Crowds