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Long-tailed macaque in the Sacred Monkey Forest sanctuary in Ubud, Bali

Bali in November: Weather, Surf, Crowds & What to Pack

5 min read1,034 wordsUpdated May 2026
Long-tailed macaque in the Sacred Monkey Forest sanctuary in Ubud, Bali
📅 Updated May 2026
Long-tailed macaque in the Sacred Monkey Forest sanctuary in Ubud, Bali
Bali in November — early wet season.

Wet season returns — cheaper, quieter, splashier. That’s Bali in November. The numbers: highs of 30°C, nights at 24°C, sea temperature around 28°C, and 12 rain days in the month — near-daily afternoon rain. Humidity sits at about 81%. Crowds: quiet.

Rain returns to ~12 days per month, mostly afternoons. Mornings stay reliably sunny. Surf swings back to the west coast. Hotel rates drop 30% from October. Ideal month for Ubud (less affected by rain than the coast). Here’s what you actually need to know: weather, surf, festivals, packing, and an honest take. For the year-round overview see the full Bali travel guide.

Weather in Bali in November

Bali sits 8 degrees south of the equator, so temperature variation across the year is small (24-31°C range). What changes is the rain. In November:

  • Average daytime high: 30°C
  • Average overnight low: 24°C
  • Sea temperature: 28°C (warm year-round)
  • Rain days: 12 per month
  • Daily sunshine: 7 hours
  • Humidity: 81%
  • Sunrise / sunset: 5:55am / 6:30pm

The rain pattern matters more than the rain count. Even in the wettest months, mornings tend to be sunny, storms typically build mid-afternoon and pass within an hour or two. Plan beach time before 1pm; plan spa/yoga/cooking class for late afternoon.

Surf & Beach in November

The surf swell direction flips with the seasons. west coast restarting works in November. Conditions are mixed — check the daily forecast on Magicseaweed before committing to a coast for the day. Sea temperature of 28°C means a board shorts or rash-guard session — wetsuits are never required.

Festivals & Events in November

None major. The Balinese religious calendar runs on a 210-day cycle, so Hindu ceremonies shift through the months year-on-year. Local village (banjar) ceremonies happen weekly somewhere on the island regardless of the month — ask your hotel staff what’s happening that week.

Crowds & Pricing

I rented a scooter for two weeks in October and only had one wet ride. Worth it.

Crowd level in November is moderate. What that actually looks like:

  • Hotels comfortable, last-minute booking usually fine
  • Popular restaurants need reservations Friday-Sunday only
  • Scooter rentals at standard rates (80-90k IDR/day)
  • Beach clubs busy on weekends, empty weekdays

What to Pack for Bali in November

  • Light rain shell or compact umbrella — afternoon showers possible
  • High-SPF sunscreen
  • Sarong or modest cover-up for temple visits
  • Quick-dry clothing for active days
  • Insect repellent
  • Day pack for water, sunscreen, layers
  • Reef-safe sunscreen for snorkelling at Nusa Penida or Amed

Best Things to Do in Bali in November

  • Surf the right coast — west coast restarting in November. Lessons at Batu Bolong (Canggu) for beginners.
  • Sunrise hike up Mount Batur — 2-hour climb, breakfast at the rim, 400-500k IDR with guide.
  • Ubud rice terraces. Tegallalang most photographed, Jatiluwih largest and quietest.
  • Nusa Penida day trip. Kelingking Beach viewpoint, Angel Billabong, Broken Beach. Fast boat from Sanur.
  • Uluwatu Temple kecak fire dance at sunset, the most dramatic cultural performance on the island.
  • Balinese cooking class. Paon Bali (Ubud) or Bumbu Bali (Tanjung Benoa) are the established benchmarks.

Pros & Cons of Bali in November

What works

  • Hotels at 30-50% capacity, restaurants walk-in friendly, Ubud yoga studios quiet
  • Bali’s core appeal (warm sea, fresh food, low costs, deep Hindu culture) is constant year-round
  • Bali’s core appeal (warm sea, fresh food, low costs, deep Hindu culture) is constant year-round
  • Bali’s core appeal (warm sea, fresh food, low costs, deep Hindu culture) is constant year-round

The trade-offs

  • Traffic in south Bali is heavy regardless of season
  • Traffic in south Bali is heavy regardless of season
  • Traffic in south Bali is heavy regardless of season

Who Should Visit (and Who Should Skip)

November is right for you if…

  • Digital nomads and remote workers wanting Ubud at off-season prices
  • Budget travellers comfortable with afternoon rain in exchange for off-season pricing
  • Anyone constrained to november dates

Maybe skip November if…

  • Travellers with non-negotiable expectations of perfect Bali postcard weather
  • Travellers with non-negotiable expectations of perfect Bali postcard weather

Photography Conditions in November

Sunrise sits around 5:55am. Plan for the morning balloon-or-terrace shot first, then move into the valleys for the second hour of post-sunrise light.

  • Mornings reliably clear, storms typically 3-6pm — perfect window for sunrise Batur hike + early-afternoon temple visits.

November vs Adjacent Months

If your dates are flexible by a week or two, here’s how November stacks up against October and December on the metrics that matter:

MonthTemp rangeRain daysCrowdsSeason notes
October23 to 30°C6 rain daysbusytransitional, best value
November24 to 30°C12 rain daysmoderateearly wet season
December24 to 30°C18 rain daysvery busywet + holiday spike

Read the dedicated guides: Bali in October · Bali in December.

Verdict: Is November a Good Time to Visit Bali?

Good for budget travellers and Ubud-focused trips. Skip if your itinerary is beach-heavy.

If you want alternatives: the three best months to visit Bali, balancing weather, prices and crowd levels, are March, September, and February. For the year-round comparison see the main Bali travel guide.

Experiences & Activities

Book Tours & Day Trips for Bali in November

Browse Mount Batur sunrise treks, Nusa Penida day trips, Ubud rice-terrace walks, temple tours and snorkelling at Amed — bookable online with free cancellation on most.

Browse Bali experiences →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the weather like in Bali in November?

Bali in November averages 30°C daytime and 24°C overnight, with sea temperature of 28°C, about 12 rain days and 7 hours of daily sunshine. Humidity is around 81%. Rain typically falls as short afternoon storms.

Is Bali in November part of the wet or dry season?

November sits in the wet season. Rain is intermittent and usually afternoon-only.

Is Bali crowded in November?

Crowd level in November is moderate. Hotels have walk-in availability; restaurants don’t require reservations.

Where is the surf best in Bali in November?

In November surf is concentrated on the west coast restarting. Sea temperature is 28°C so a rash guard or board shorts are sufficient — no wetsuit needed year-round.

Are there festivals in Bali in November?

None major. Village banjar ceremonies happen weekly across the island year-round.

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