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

📅 Updated May 2026

What’s Bali like in December? Short version: two Decembers in one — quiet first three weeks, chaotic last ten days. Expect daytime highs near 30°C and nights around 24°C. The sea is 28°C (no wetsuit needed, ever). There are around 18 rain days, almost always daily afternoon storms. Humidity 83%. Crowds: two-speed.

December 1-20 is wet-season-quiet: cheap hotels, rainy afternoons, calm scene. December 20-31 is Bali at peak Australian summer holiday: villa rates triple, beach clubs at fire-marshal-violation capacity, NYE at Potato Head Beach Club costs €200+ entry. 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 December

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 December:

• Average daytime high: 30°C
• Average overnight low: 24°C
• Sea temperature: 28°C (warm year-round)
• Rain days: 18 per month
• Daily sunshine: 6 hours
• Humidity: 83%
• Sunrise / sunset: 6:05am / 6:45pm

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 December

The surf swell direction flips with the seasons. west coast peak forming works in December. Padang Padang, Uluwatu, and Bingin produce the year’s biggest, cleanest barrels. Sea temperature of 28°C means a board shorts or rash-guard session — wetsuits are never required.

Festivals & Events in December

Christmas + NYE on Bali. Australian high season. 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

Christmas Eve at Potato Head was an experience. NYE on Bali is a particular kind of chaos.

Crowd level in December is very busy. What that actually looks like:

• Hotels filling 4-8 weeks ahead, premium villa inventory tight
• Best restaurants need 3-5 days reservation
• Scooter rentals at peak rates (110-130k IDR/day)
• Beach clubs require day-bed reservations

What to Pack for Bali in December

• Compact umbrella or packable rain shell — afternoon storms are reliable
• Quick-dry sandals — flip-flops get destroyed in wet-season mud
• Dry bag for phone/wallet during sudden showers
• Insect repellent with DEET — mosquito activity peaks in wet season
• Modest cover-up for temple visits (sarongs provided but bringing your own is more respectful)
• Reef-safe sunscreen — required for Nusa Penida snorkelling
• Light layers for cooler highland evenings in Ubud

Best Things to Do in Bali in December

• Surf the right coast — west coast peak forming in December. 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 December

Who Should Visit (and Who Should Skip)

Photography Conditions in December

Sunrise sits around 6:05am. Plan for the morning balloon-or-terrace shot first, then move into the valleys for the second hour of post-sunrise light.

• Lush, saturated greens after every storm. Best window for waterfall and rice-terrace photography, the colours never look this vivid in dry season.

December vs Adjacent Months

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

Month	Temp range	Rain days	Crowds	Season notes
November	24 to 30°C	12 rain days	moderate	early wet season
December	24 to 30°C	18 rain days	very busy	wet + holiday spike
January	24 to 31°C	22 rain days	busy	deep wet season

Read the dedicated guides: Bali in November · Bali in January.

Verdict: Is December a Good Time to Visit Bali?

First three weeks, great low-season value. Last ten days — avoid unless you booked six months ahead and want the party.

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

Frequently Asked Questions