When is the best time to visit Bali?

Bali is often considered the tropical paradise of the world. It’s on the bucket list of so many travellers, and when you see Bali for yourself, you will understand why.

But when is the best time to visit Bali? This is a question that many travellers have before heading to Southeast Asia and exploring this heavenly Indonesian province. 

We consider ourselves Bali experts, as we run group tours in Bali for all types of travellers. So we know what Bali is like throughout the year and are here to answer this burning question.

So let’s dive into the best time to visit Bali. 

Best time to visit Bali

The best time to visit Bali is a really common question, as people want to make the most of their time in paradise.

But the truth is, Bali is an incredible place to visit, and there truly is no bad time to visit.

Every month of the year offers something slightly different and has a unique selling point, making Bali worth visiting no matter what time of year it is.

That’s one of the main reasons we run our Bali tours all throughout the year!

The word “best” is also subjective.

If you want the warmest temperatures and the least rain, then the best time to visit Bali is between April and September when it is the dry season. In these months you can expect average temperatures of 27-32°C (80-90°F), sunny days and blue skies like you’ve never seen before. It takes the reputation of “paradise” to a whole new level.   

If you want to avoid the crowds, then the best time to visit Bali is in the wet season, from October until March. But don’t let the word “wet” put you off. Although it is the rainy season, fear not, the tropical showers don’t completely ruin your trip! They are often passed before you know it, and on warm days, may even be a welcomed cool-down.

Each traveller has a different preference. And both seasons offer a different experience, but both are worth experiencing.  

The best of both worlds would be in May and September, the shoulder seasons, when you get good weather and avoid the largest crowds of the typical holiday months of July and August.

But to reiterate, there really is no bad time to visit Bali. It’s one of the few places in the world where you are guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime no matter when you go. 

Best time to visit Bali for weather

The best time to visit Bali for weather is between April and September when it is the dry season. The days are super hot, with temperatures averaging 27-32°C (80-90°F) on a day-to-day basis.

Thankfully, there are lots of opportunities to jump in the water and cool off in Bali. 

Bali’s climate is tropical, meaning it has two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season. As said above, the best weather is found in the dry season. But don’t let the wet season fool you either, it still sees pretty damn warm temperatures (24-29°C/75-85°F). It’s still a great time to visit Bali as the showers don’t last long at all, but the crowds are non-existent compared to the dry season. 

But speaking solely in terms of weather, the best months to visit Bali are between April and September. 

Cheapest time to visit Bali

When it comes to booking flights to Bali, the prices can vary a bit throughout the year. Don’t worry, our tour prices remain fixed no matter what time of the year it is to allow you to get the best deal possible 😎.

But naturally, flight prices will fluctuate depending on when you visit Bali. The flights are most expensive when they are most in demand, which is typically in the summer months when the most people are travelling. This loosely lines up with Bali’s dry season. 

So on the flip side, the cheapest time to visit Bali in terms of flights, is in the wet season, from October until March. But to reiterate, wet doesn’t mean rain 24/7! If anything, the lower prices are a huge selling point for visiting outside the peak season. And the fewer crowds too. 

The low season, when flights are often the cheapest comes at the start of a new year, from January to March. You can sometimes get cheaper flights in June and September, either side of the two busiest months of July and August. 

Best time to surf in Bali

Surfing is one of the best things to do in Bali, the weather, beaches, and adventurous atmosphere make Bali the perfect place for surfers.

Most surfers will agree that the best months for surfing in Bali are between April and October. This is because there are constantly big and clean swells, making for the ideal conditions. 

The offshore wind is also at its best. There are plenty of opportunities for surfing in Bali, and no matter your experience level, you can find the beach of your dreams to surf at. 

It’s worth noting that you can surf all year round in Bali, and depending on what part of Bali you are in, the ideal months may be slightly different. But it’s typically agreed that the best months for surfing are between April and October. 

Best time to dive in Bali

Diving in Bali, whether it be snorkelling or scuba diving, is an absolute must-do during any trip. There are few places in the world offering diving spots as good as Bali’s. From huge manta rays to sea turtles, Bali has got everything you could possibly dream of, and more!

The good news is that the “best time to dive in Bali” has a huge window. And it’s from the months of May until November, shifting one month forward from the dry season months. 

But as Padi themselves say, what you want to see will dictate when you would need to dive. For manta rays, the best months are April and May. For Mola Mola, it’s August and September. 

Don’t worry if you are visiting Bali outside of these months, the diving in Bali is still second-to-none. And just because these months have the highest chance of spotting these creatures, doesn’t mean they can’t be spotted in other months! No matter what month you do it, diving in Bali is an unforgettable experience. 

Are you looking to visit Bali but don’t have anybody go with? Click here to find out a little about our group tours in Bali

Best time to visit Ubud

Any trip to Bali wouldn’t be complete without visiting Ubud. There are loads of things to see and do in Ubud. To name a few, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, take an authentic cooking class, hike Mount Batur and who could forget, enjoy a night out!

There is no real “best” time to visit Ubud as it is almost like two different places in the dry and wet seasons. In the dry season, the clear skies overhead and warm temperatures, mean that you can fully embrace outdoor activities like exploring the lush rice terraces, taking nature walks through the serene countryside, or visiting the iconic Saraswati Temple.

Whereas in the wet season, Ubud in a magical palette of greens and brings its own unique charm. The occasional showers breathe life into the surrounding nature, transforming the landscapes into a lush oasis. There’s no feeling like spending a short rainshower unwinding in one of the many cosy cafes that Ubud has to offer. 

Best time to visit the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are the definition of the phrase “tropical paradise” and the islands really sum up what a trip to Bali is like. Relaxing by the beach, drinking from a coconut, sunsets galore, and lots of opportunities to get into the water!

The weather on the Gilis is ever so slightly different to that of the rest of Bali. The dry season is even drier and warmer, and the wet season sees less rainfall than in other parts of Bali. 

So the best time to visit the Gili Islands is outside the peak tourism season of July and August. You’re guaranteed – at least – decent weather all year round, and if you can avoid the crowds at the most popular tourist attractions, it always makes life a bit easier, right?

Best time to visit Lovina

We might be beginning to sound like a broken record but there really is no bad time to visit Lovina. The best time to visit Lovina is any of the 12 months!

There are warm temperatures year-round, and the sea is warm enough for swimming year-round too. And you couldn’t possibly visit Lovina Beach without getting into the sea. 

But it doesn’t matter when you visit, it’s still warm enough! And if you are interested in taking dolphin tours, you can see them at any point in the year too. 

Best time to visit Uluwatu

Like Ubud, the best time to visit Uluwatu depends on what you want out of your stay.

If you want the best conditions for surfing, for example, would be in the dry season. Things like exploring the temple can be done all year round. And if you want natural beauty like Uluwatu’s lush greenery to thrive, then the wet season is your friend.

Uluwatu is the grand finale of our Bali group tours, so we know for a fact that it’s an incredible place to visit at any point in the calendar no matter what you hear elsewhere.

Best time to visit Bali: FAQ

Final Thoughts: Best time to visit Bali

And there you have it, a complete guide to the best time to visit Bali.

Remember, there is no bad time to visit Bali, and the word “best” is subjective.

The best time to visit Bali for weather is in the dry season.

The best time to avoid the crowds is in the wet season.

It depends on what you are looking for from your Bali experience, and no matter when you head to the Indonesian paradise, you are certain to leave with memories to last a lifetime.

So make sure to join us on one of our Bali tours at any point of the year. We promise you, you won’t regret it! 

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