Quick answer: The best time to visit Bali is May, June, July, August, September. The peak season is July–August (and the Christmas/New Year fortnight), and the months most worth avoiding are January–February (wettest, most humid).
Bali sits 8° south of the equator, so it is warm and humid all year (highs 30–32°C / 86–90°F). What changes is the rain: a clear dry season runs May–September and a wet season November–March.
Bali Weather by Month (Temperatures & What to Expect)
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain/Snow | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Very wet | Low | Avoid — Wettest month — frequent heavy downpours, high humidity. |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Wet | Low | Shoulder — Still very wet but cheaper; short bright spells. |
| March | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Wet | Low | Shoulder — Rain easing late month; humid, lush, quiet. |
| April | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Light | Med | Good — Dry season begins — sunny days, great value. |
| May | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | Dry | Med | Great — Dry, lower humidity, warm sea. Excellent. |
| June | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | Dry | High | Great — Dry and slightly cooler breezes. Superb. |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | Dry | High | Best — Peak season — driest, sunny, busy and pricier. |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | Dry | High | Best — Driest, breezy, peak crowds. Book early. |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | Dry | Med | Best — Dry, warm, crowds easing — the sweet spot. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Light | Med | Good — Mostly dry; first showers return late month. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | Wet | Med | Shoulder — Wet season returns; green, humid, fewer tourists. |
| December | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | Wet | High | Mixed — Wet but festive — holiday crowds spike prices. |
Best Time to Visit Bali
If your priority is the best balance of weather, value and manageable crowds, target May, June, July, August, September. The table above breaks down every month so you can match the season to your trip.
Bali Weather in July
July is Bali at its best: dry, sunny, highs around 30°C (86°F), low humidity and a refreshing sea breeze. It is also peak season, so Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud are busy and villas cost 20–40% more — book accommodation and popular restaurants weeks ahead.
Bali Weather in September
September keeps July–August’s dry, sunny weather but the big crowds thin out after the European summer holidays. Highs near 31°C (88°F), warm sea and lower prices make it arguably the smartest month to visit Bali.
The Real Best Time: Why May Beats July, and the One Date to Dodge
Most planners default to July, when Bali is driest and sunniest. The catch is that June through August is peak season: the largest crowds, the highest villa rates, and restaurants you cannot walk into without a booking. The smarter play sits on either shoulder of that peak. May and October both fall inside the April-to-October dry season yet land before and after the summer rush, so you keep the blue skies while rates and queues drop. May is the standout. Rainfall has already fallen to around 50-70 mm, humidity has eased, and the island has not yet filled with school-holiday traffic.
- May and early October: dry weather, lower prices, thinner crowds
- June to August: peak season, book accommodation and tables well ahead
- January to February: the period to avoid, with January the wettest month at roughly 330-350 mm and rain on most days
One date trips up even dry-season-savvy visitors. Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, falls on 19 March in 2026. Ngurah Rai airport shuts completely for 24 hours and the whole island stops, so plan flights around it. The Ogoh-Ogoh parades the evening before are worth catching. Daytime highs hold near 30-32C all year, so timing is about crowds and rain, not heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is July a good time to visit Bali?
Yes — July is dry, sunny and around 30°C, one of the best months for weather. The trade-off is peak-season crowds and higher prices.
What is the rainy season in Bali?
Roughly November to March, peaking in January–February with frequent heavy afternoon downpours and high humidity.
Is the sea warm in Bali?
Yes, the ocean stays about 28–29°C (82–84°F) all year, so swimming is comfortable in every month.
Which is the cheapest month to visit Bali?
January–February and the wet shoulder weeks are cheapest, with hotel rates well below the July–August and Christmas peaks.
More on Bali
- Best things to do in Bali
Looking for a recommendation, not just data? See our best time to visit Bali guide.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.