Bali is warm in every month, so heat is never the question. Rain is. It decides whether your boat day runs and whether the volcano shows its face at dawn.
This guide goes month by month, with real rainfall and temperature figures. It is written for families travelling from India, with school holidays in mind.
The short answer
April to October is the best time to visit Bali. It is the dry season, and most days are sunny.
July and August are the driest months. Denpasar gets only about 30 mm of rain in each, spread over two or three days.
December to February is the wet season. January brings about 350 mm of rain, on about 19 days. Bali still works then, but you need a looser plan.
If you are free to choose any month, aim for June or September. Both are dry, warm and easy with children.
How the seasons work
Bali has two seasons, dry and wet. There is no real winter or summer.
The dry season runs from about April to October. Rain falls off fast in April and is lowest in July and August.
The wet season runs from about November to March. December, January and February are the wettest months.
The figures below are long-term averages for Denpasar, near the airport and the south coast beaches. Up on the volcano it is much cooler, especially before dawn.
Bali weather by month
These are long-term averages for Denpasar. Rain is the monthly total. Temperature is the average across day and night, so afternoons feel hotter.
January to March: the wet months
January is the wettest month, with about 350 mm of rain. February gets about 290 mm, and March about 230 mm. The average temperature sits near 28°C.
Expect rain on more days than not. The island is at its greenest.
Rough seas can delay or cancel the fast boats to Nusa Penida. Cloud can hide the sunrise from Mount Batur. Keep a spare day so a cancelled trip can move.
For families, this season works best if you base yourself in one or two hotels with good pools and indoor space.
April to June: the sweet spot
April is when the dry season starts. Rain drops to about 107 mm. May gets about 95 mm and June about 68 mm.
Skies clear, the ground dries and the green from the wet season is still there. This is one of the best windows for a first trip.
May and June match the summer school holidays in much of India. For families, that makes June a strong pick. It is drier than May and a touch cooler, at about 27°C.
July to September: the driest months
July gets about 28 mm of rain and August about 36 mm. September gets about 59 mm. Each has only two or three rainy days on average.
These are also the coolest months, at about 26 to 27°C on average.
This is the best time for the Mount Batur sunrise and the Nusa Penida day. Clear skies give you the best chance of a view.
If your dates are fixed, book flights, hotels and villas early.
October to December: the turn
October is still dry, with about 64 mm of rain. It is a good month for families with an autumn school break.
November is the turn. Rain doubles to about 131 mm, and it is the warmest month on average, at about 28°C.
December is properly wet, with about 327 mm. Christmas and New Year are still popular, so book early for those weeks.
Nyepi, the Day of Silence
Nyepi is the Balinese New Year. In 2027 it falls on Monday, 8 March. For one day, the whole island goes quiet.
Ngurah Rai airport stops regular flights for 24 hours. In 2026, it closed from 6 am on Nyepi to 6 am the next day. The sea ports close too.
Visitors must stay inside their hotel grounds. Hotels keep lights low and food simple, and there are no parties. You can still use the hotel pool and restaurant.
On our trips there is no hotel check-in, check-out or sightseeing on Nyepi. If your dates cross it, we plan the day as a rest day in a hotel you will enjoy.
How the weather changes our trip
Most of a Bali week happens outdoors, so the season shapes each day. Here is how it plays out on our own route.
The Nusa Penida day is the most weather-bound. It needs a fast boat both ways and clear air for the cliff views. On the island, our drivers may change the order of stops for tides and traffic. Carry a change of clothes.
The Mount Batur sunrise needs a clear sky above the crater. In the wet months, cloud can hide the sun. In any month it is cold at the top before dawn.
The Uluwatu sunset and the Tanah Lot sea temple are best on a dry evening. In the wet season, we keep them flexible and move them to a clearer day if we can.
Rice terraces, waterfalls and the Ubud villa work in any season. They make a good plan B for a wet afternoon.
What to pack by season
In any month, pack light cotton clothes, a hat, sunscreen and sandals. Add one warm jacket for the Batur sunrise.
From November to March, add a light rain jacket and shoes that can get wet. A small dry bag helps on boat days.
For temples, pack something that covers shoulders and knees. A sarong and sash are often lent at the gate.
Carry basic medicines for the children from home. Brands abroad can be hard to match.
Indian holidays and Bali weather
Most Indian families travel when school is out. Here is how the usual breaks line up with Bali's seasons.
The summer break in May and June falls in the dry season. This is the easiest match of the year.
The Dussehra and Diwali breaks fall in October or November, depending on the year. October is still dry. By November the rain is picking up, but it is still well under half of December's total.
The Christmas and New Year break falls in the wet season. Go with a flexible plan and a good hotel, and it is still a happy trip.
A short break in March can clash with Nyepi. Check the date first. In 2027 it is 8 March.
Best months for families
With young children, pick June, July, August or early September. Rain is low, and long days out are easier when you are not dodging showers.
With older parents, April, May, June or October can be kinder. The weather is still dry, and outside school holidays the flights can be easier to book.
If you can only travel in the December school break, you can still have a good trip. Choose a hotel with a big pool, keep the boat day flexible and plan an indoor option for wet afternoons.
Our guide to things to do in Bali with family has ideas for every age and every kind of weather.
Plan your Bali trip
Read the Bali travel guide for areas and days, and the Bali visa guide before you book. Our Bali itinerary for 6 to 7 days shows how a week fits together.
Our Bali, Island of the Gods trip starts from ₹32,000 per person for 6 nights, land only. That price is indicative. Tell us your dates on Plan My Trip and we will tell you what the weather usually does that week.
