Best time to visit Bali

High season in Bali coincides with European school holidays and so the small island does tend to feel busy. Peak holiday season crescendos from July to August and – although it’s a gorgeous time to visit, with hot, sunny weather and great diving visibility – the beach resorts are busy. This is undoubtedly the best time to visit if you’re an avid diver or snorkeller, as the water is blissfully clear. It’s also the best time of year to rent a motorbike and zip around the isle (if that’s part of your dream), since the roads aren’t wet and slippery. If you’re visiting during high season in Bali but want to skip the crowds, try heading inland to (slightly) cooler Ubud and renting a villa, or to surf-spot Balian beach. Christmas, New Year and Easter, despite not being the hottest, driest times of year, also draw crowds to the island.

The summer shoulder season is possibly the best time to go to Bali. It starts in April, as the west season draws to a close, with a majority of sunny days and the east coast clearing up significantly for snorkelling visibility. It’s also the start of true hiking season in Bali, so if you plan to traverse the island by foot, April is a good time to start looking. May and June are even more idyllic, allowing the opportunity to hike up the iconic Mount Batur. These are the hottest months in Bali averaging 27–29°C, with excellent water visibility and still just shy of school holidays, so you’ll find fewer crowds in the popular Bali hotels and beach resorts.

On the other end of high season in Bali, September is when the crowds start to tail off slightly. So, if you want the best of both worlds, with no rain and temperatures averaging 27°C but a slightly calmer south coast – book September in Bali. September is also the tail-end of the best surf season, so surfers might want to hang fire to catch the waves and miss the crowds. October is officially the start of the rainy season, but it isn’t in full swing yet, making it a great moment to visit Bali. You’ll still have opportunities to hike and maybe even snorkel, but you’ll enjoy the peace and serenity at temples, ruins and local restaurants and cafes.

Low season in Bali is typically November through to March – rainy season. If you’re pondering the best time to go to Bali without the crowds (just the laid-back locals) and to get the best deals on the best areas to stay, November through March is your jackpot. The rain peaks in January and, while it takes hiking and diving off the table, if you’ve come to Bali seeking zen yoga sessions and the solace of uncrowded temples – this is the moment. The beach might be a bit lacklustre, but many people find the rhythmic and rather predictable rain in the inland forest region rather relaxing. Plus, all the popular cafes and restaurants have tables, so Bali becomes a foodie haven with no need to book. Even during Bali’s wettest months – November, December and January – you can still expect long, warm bursts of sunshine. February experiences intense tropical rain showers and humidity, which just begin to tail off in March. It’s a great moment to visit Ubud; it’s uncrowded and peaceful, as well as less humid than the coastal resorts.