When to Visit Bali
Bali by season
With its close proximity to the equator, Bali is blessed with a warm, sunny climate where the temperature rarely fluctuate much from 30°C. The tropical weather draws year-round sun-seekers to the island’s beaches and warm seas, and with no ‘bad’ time to go, the best month to visit is dependent on your interests. To help you decide when to go, we’ve split the year into its two seasons, wet and dry:
April to September
Unsurprisingly, Bali’s dry season is also its most popular time for visitors, with July to September the busiest time as it coincides with European summer and Australian winter holidays. The weather is warm, sunny and clear, with low humidity and temperatures around 27 to 30°C, making this is a great period for exploring, surfing or enjoying candlelit dinners on the beach.
Go for:
Bali Arts Festival: held in Denpasar for a month across June and July, this is one of the island’s largest celebrations. Watch the parade and catch a performance or two at the Denpasar Arts Centre.
Bali Kite Festival: also in June, this festival celebrates the kite as an art form, with kite flyers from all over the country coming to show off their skills and imaginative kite designs.
October to March
Bali’s wet season brings higher humidity and rain, but don’t let that put you off. The rain isn’t constant, more on-and-off, and you’ll find the temples and beaches much quieter than during the dry season. December does get busy with the Christmas crowd, while January is the wettest time and March brings cooler, drier days as the dry season approaches once more, leaving lush, green fields in its wake.
Go for:
Nyepi: held in March, Nyepi is Hindu New Year and involves a day of self-reflection and meditation. The next day, a mass kissing festival known as Ngembak Gen is held, particularly popular with young people.
Saraswati: held every 210 days, and therefore changing date each year, Saraswati celebrates the Hindu goddess of knowledge, arts and books. Offerings are made, prayers are said and writings are blessed on this jubilant day.
