Bali is one of the most popular Asian islands that people from all over the world have come to love. Naturally, when planning a trip, many tourists wonder about the right time to travel.
The warmest month in Bali is May (28° C), and the coldest month is January (26° C). The heaviest rainfall can be expected in January, but that's also when the ocean water is the warmest at 29° C.
The Geography of Bali
Bali is a province of Indonesia and is one of the thousands of Indonesian islands, belonging to the archipelago of the Lesser Sundaic Islands. Situated in the Indian Ocean, its latitude is 8°. Bali is situated between Java and Lombok and it covers an area of 5,600 square kilometers, which is 0.29% of Indonesia.
The capital and largest city of Bali is Denpasar which is located in the southern part of the island. It has a population of 406,000 people. The second largest city is Singaraja, located in the northern region of Bali.
Bali is largely covered by tropical forests. The island is also home to both Mount Agung (3031m) and Mount Batur (1717m), which are both still active volcanoes.
Bali is located 3.2km from another popular Indonesian island, Java. They are separated by the Balinese Straight.
Due to its proximity to the equator, Bali experiences year-round humidity and high temperatures. The temperatures stay relatively constant throughout the year with a difference of 4° to 5°. Bali is also humid throughout the year. There are only two seasons on the island: dry and rainy. This is due to the fact that monsoons occur here. It brings significant rain to the island. The southeast monsoon provides Bali its dry and hot seasons while the northwest monsoon provides it with violent downpours during the rainy season.
Bali’s dry season lasts from May to September. During this period, temperatures are the highest, averaging from 27° to 28° C. The humidity is at its lowest at 60%. Within the dry season, the number of rainy days is also and its lowest, ranging from nine days in May to only three in August. Due to this, the dry season in Bali is characterized by very warm, sunny weather and high humidity.
Bali’s rainy season starts from October and lasts until April. The temperatures drop slightly, averaging 26-27° C. The days of rainy weather increases to an average of eight to sixteen days. The humidity also increases from 65% to 85% during this period. Bali’s rainy season is indeed warm, rainy, and very humid.
It is worth noting that rainfall in Bali is not the same throughout the island. The most rain occurs in the mountains (3,000mm per year), while it’s the least in the northern coast (only 1,000mm per year). It should also be noted that the monsoon in Bali is violent and torrential, but they last only for a short time.
The central region of Bali is an ideal place for mountain hiking. Learning about Balinese culture is also a great activity, as there are many interesting and important temples in the area, such as Ulun Danu. Other interesting sites and attractions include coffee and cocoa plantations, rice terraces, waterfalls, and botanical gardens.
Central Bali is slightly cooler and rainier than the rest of the island’s coastal regions. This is especially noticeable in the evenings and nights in its mountainous areas. At the higher altitude in the mountains, temperatures can drop as low as 10° C.
Weather in Ubud
Ubud is a beautiful town at the foot of the mountains. It is known for its magnificent temples, rich culture and art, and for its tasty cuisine. Its elevation is 200m, making Ubud’s weather cooler than the coast. It is hot during the day (in October, temperatures can reach as high as 31° C!), however evenings are sometimes cooler. It is worth bringing a sweater as it will certainly come handy in the evening! The heaviest rainfall occurs in January. It is best to visit Ubud from April to October.
The southern part of Bali is the most visited region by tourists. Besides the island’s capital, Denpasar, there are numerous resorts, sandy beaches, bars and restaurants, serving delicious seafood. In addition, there are also villages where you can learn and familiarize yourself with Balinese culture. This part of Bali is home to the beautiful temple, Pura Tanah Lot.
Weather in Denpasar
Denpasar is the capital and largest city of Bali. It is located in the southern part of the island. The climate here is humid and dry. During the year, there is little change in temperature (averages about 28° C). August is the coldest month with an average temperature of 25° C and the warmest months are from April and May (average of 28° C). The least rainfall occurs in August (about two days), and the most is from December to March (up to 19 days per month).
Negeri Propinsi Bali Museum, Puputan Square, Pura Jagatnatha Temple, Taman Wedhi Budaya Art Center– these are just a few of the attractions that Denpasar offers. Just 10km from the city is the popular resort of Kuta. It has picturesque views, sandy beaches, and numerous bars.
Would you like to know more about this part of Bali? Write to us!
Western Bali is the least visited area; therefore, it is the least known among tourists. A large part of western Bali is occupied by the West Bali National Park.
The beaches in western Bali are beautiful! Most of them are still wild beaches, meaning they are still underdeveloped or undiscovered. They are not developed for tourism. They are great places for snorkeling and diving. Ferries to Java depart from the village of Gilimanuk. West Bali National Park is located on the Prepat Agung peninsula and covers about 10% of the total land area in Bali. There are about 160 species of birds that live in western Bali, as well as many mammals, such as the Indian Muntjac deer and leopards. The climate in West Bali National Park differs little from that in other regions of the island. The dry season occurs here in the months of April to October, and rainfall can be expected from November to March.
Northern Bali is very different from the southern part of Bali. It is definitely quieter and more peaceful—an ideal place for families with children. There are villas, beautiful gardens, and beaches with black sand.
Weather in Singaraja
The city of Singaraja resembles an old, Dutch colonial town and is very different from the other towns on the island. It is the largest city in the northern part of Bali and it is a major academic center with two universities. It is also home to Kampung Arab district and the largest Chinese temple on the island.
Near the city of Singaraja is the beautiful Gitgit Waterfall.
The hottest months for Singaraja are from November to December, with temperatures reaching up to 28° C. The heaviest rainfall can be expected from December to March.
The eastern part of Bali is characterized by numerous lush forests, black sand beaches, and active volcanos. Mount Agung towers over the entire region– it’s an active volcano in eastern Bali. The towns of Candidasa and Padang Bai are located here, from which ferries depart for another Indonesian island– Lombok.
Weather in Padang Bai
Padang Bai is a charming little town in the eastern part of Bali. It is mostly known for its harbor, but it is worth learning more about the place. In addition to beautiful beaches, there are numerous diving and snorkeling spots. Rainfall in Padang Bai occurs from December to March, and the highest temperatures can be expected from November and December.
Weather in Bali, Indonesia – the take away?
Bali has high temperatures year-round. Ideal clothing to bring for such temperatures are clothing made from cotton and/or airy clothes.
In the high mountainous regions in central Bali, temperatures can drop significantly, so when going there, do due diligence and bring warmer clothes.
During the rainy seasons, especially in December and January, the ocean waters can be rough. This makes diving not easy.
Traveling to Bali – a summary
When is the best time to fly to Bali? Our answer: anytime! There's no such thing as terrible weather, simply unsuitable clothing. But– what is it really like in Bali?
Most tourists choose to travel to Bali during its dry season, that is, from May to the end of September. Due to the low number of rainy days, lower humidity, and high ocean water temperature, this is the perfect time for sightseeing. Exploration, hiking, trekking in the mountains, climbing the Gunung Agung volcano, as well as water sports, and relaxing on the beach– are all excellent activities for tourists to experience on the wonderful island of Bali.
Does this mean that it is not worth going to Bali during the rainy season? Absolutely not! Despite monsoon season, our stay in Bali can be just as entertaining. The months of October to November, and April are very warm, sunny, and not as rainy as others during this time of the year. Playing water sports and swimming is possible all year-round due to the high-water temperatures during both dry and rainy seasons. Planning a vacation to enjoy the sun and sea bathing is also possible during the rainy season. Travel to the north coast, where one may get caught in a short, tropical downpour, but an all-day rainfall is unlikely to ruin the day. During this period, it is better to forgo traveling to the south coast, as this part of the island will be drenched with heavy, intense rainfall.
