Best Times To Visit Bali: A Complete Insider’s Seasonal Guide
As a private yacht charter, we at The Shivanna understand completely how seasons can affect a sail, especially across the magnificent Bali seas! That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate Bali’s seasons, weather, and more!
Quick Season Overview
Best Overall Time: April to October (Dry Season)
Peak Season: July to August
Rainy Season: November to March
Best Water Visibility: April - September
Seasonal Breakdown
Dry Season (April - October)
You’ll see a lot of guides state that the most popular season to visit Bali is the dry xseason—and they’re right! Our local guides and past guests all enjoyed the feeling of sunny sails and the warm temperatures. Think clear skies, sunshine, warm sands, and clear waters, the perfect sailing condition aboard The Shivanna.
We mostly hold our events during this season, so make sure you check here for our upcoming events!
Average sea temperature: 80-90°F (27-32°C)
Water visibility: 15-30 meters
Humidity: Low
The dry season is the perfect time to enjoy a multitude of popular activities in Bali, such as:
- Sailing aboard The Shivanna
- Experiencing thrilling water activities
- Exploring what Uluwatu has to offer
- Cafe-hopping around Canggu
- Visit the temples of Ubud
- Go snorkeling in Menjangan Island
Our guests who are surfing enthusiasts also stated that the dry season is the optimal time to explore the iconic waves in Bali, as they get to enjoy solid waves and exciting breaks! Most beaches in Bali
Tip: The Southwestern coast of Bali (Uluwatu beach, Padang Padang beach) offer world-class waves during the dry season, making it one of the best beaches in Bali for surfing! You might even catch a glimpse of international surf competitions during this time.
The most popular time to visit during the dry season is somewhere between June to August, as it coincides with the national school semester breaks so you might experience a higher influx of tourists around the island. This causes the peak season, and you might often have to deal with higher prices for activities and accommodation.
If you’re looking to enjoy the sun with a relatively calmer crowd level, we recommend visiting during the shoulder season between April - June, right at the tailend of the wet season and the start of the dry season.
Wet Season (November - March)
The wet season, or rainy season, typically runs from November to March. While often overlooked by tourists, this period offers unique advantages and experiences that many visitors miss. We highly recommended our guests to stick around for at least the start of the wet season so they get to experience a new side of Bali!
Average sea temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C).
Water visibility: 10-20 meters
Humidity: High
Peak wet season: End of December - start of February
The wet season is still a relatively warm, making it the perfect time to enjoy a multitude of popular activities in Bali, such as:
- Enjoying a pampering spa session
- Experiencing the lush foliages of Ubud
- Go for a shopping trip at some of the best malls in Bali
- Try white water rafting with friends
Tip: One thing our guests, and even our local guides, all say about the disadvantage of the wet season is the increased traffic congestion. So, we highly recommend planning your stays strategically, choosing accommodations that are close to points of interest in your itinerary.
Although it’s called the wet season, it doesn’t mean it will rain 24/7; it just means that there are fewer sunny days. Cloudy weather is the most common before the peak wet season offers more rainfall and the occasional storms.
The peak of the wet season in Bali is usually around the end of December to the start of February, with windier days and frequent storms.
Festival seasons
Another thing to consider is the cultural events that might take place during your visit. As a highly religious island, Bali often holds a variety of festivals. Though it may not interfere with your holiday, knowing the major holidays in Bali can enhance your planning.
Here are two major important dates to note in 2025:
Galungan & Kuningan
Every year, Galungan and Kuningan rotate according to the Balinese lunar calendar. This event is held in celebration of the triumph of good over evil, as most Balinese Hindus all pray at the temples before visiting their families.
This year, Galungan and Kuningan will be held on Wednesday, April 23 2025, to Saturday, May 3, 2025. During this time, you will see vibrant street decorations, like penjors, lining the streets.
From our local experience, you can expect several stores, restaurants, and temples to be closed for several days. Several streets can also be closed for a few hours for a parade of temple-goers to pass through. Other than that, your holiday shouldn’t be too affected.
Nyepi
One of the most popular holidays in Bali that attracts tourists from all over the world! Nyepi is the unique day of the year where the island experiences total shutdown for 24 hours—yes, including airports!
This year, Nyepi will be held from Saturday, March 29, 2025 (5:59 AM) to Sunday, March 30, 2025 (6:00 AM). During this time, all activities across the island must cease and no lights should be visible from the streets in respect of island purification tradition.
Our guests enjoyed Nyepi the most because they get to experience total island serenity, participating in the moment of pause as they stay indoors and enjoy a little rest and relaxation. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy internet access during Nyepi! Just be mindful of the noise and be respectful of the local customs.
FAQ
What is the best month to go to Bali?
As aforementioned, from our expert and guest recommendations, April - June is the best month to visit Bali as the weather is still mild and getting warmer with fewer crowds.
When is the Rainy Season in Bali?
The rainy season in Bali is also known as the wet season, and will happen around November-March based on our experience. The peak rainy season usually falls around the end of December to the start of February, with stormy forecasts and windy days.
When is the off season in Bali?
Off season (low season) is usually around the shoulder season, right as the weather starts to change. We usually recommend our guests to visit during this month since accommodation and activity prices are generally lower,
What is the hottest month in Bali?
Most of our local experts agree that May is usually the hottest month in Bali with bright, sunny days and clear, cloudless skies. This usually makes the best time for The Shivanna to set sail because the brilliant sunset views are definitely one-of-a-kind.
Final Thoughts
We strongly believe that Bali is an island that can be visited all year round. The different seasons only offer unique experiences for unforgettable holiday memories! While the dry season is often the recommended best time to visit Bali, our maritime experience has shown us that each season holds its own magic, especially aboard The Shivanna,
With over 40 years of combined experience, The Shivanna has become a trusted private yacht charter for a variety of guests and companies, sailing through all seasons and offering unparalleled adventures. With world class facilities and international safety standards, our experienced crew are ready to help you create the perfect adventure to complete your holidays in Bali.
Get in touch with us today or visit theshivanna.com to learn more.