The essentials
When to go to Indonesia, in brief
May to September: the dry season
Clear skies, 27-32°C, low humidity over Bali and Java. The best window, especially for beaches and diving.
May, June, September: the sweet spot
Fine weather without the July-August crowds. Softer prices and quieter sites in Ubud and on the Gilis.
October to April: wet season
Tropical showers, mostly late in the day. January-February are the wettest, with a sometimes choppy sea.
The highlands are cooler
Ubud, Bromo and Batur drop below 20°C at night. Pack a warm layer for sunrise on the volcanoes.
Komodo and the East are drier
Komodo, Flores and East Java get less rain than the west. Diving is at its best from April to November.
Nyepi, the day of silence
On 19 March 2026, Bali stops for 24 hours: airport closed, empty streets, lights off. Worth knowing before you book.
The verdict
The best periods
May - Sept
Dry season, blue skies, calm sea. Perfect for Bali, Java, the Gilis and diving. Book 2 months ahead for July-August.
Oct & April
Transition months: short showers but frequent sun, fewer crowds and softer prices. Good value for money.
Jan - Feb
Wet season peak: heavy rain, high humidity, choppy sea. Diving and boat trips disrupted.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
26-31°C
Rain peak
26-31°C
Wet, choppy sea
26-32°C
Rain easing
27-32°C
Transition, drier
27-32°C
Dry, fewer crowds
26-31°C
Dry, pleasant
26-31°C
Dry, high season
26-31°C
Dry, busy
27-32°C
Dry, season end
27-32°C
First rains
27-32°C
Variable showers
26-31°C
Wet, rainy
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali & Gilis (coasts) | May-Sept: 27-32°C, dry | Oct-Apr: showers, peak Jan-Feb | Ideal May-Sept |
| Java (Yogyakarta, Bromo) | May-Sept: hot, dry, 28-30°C | Nov-Mar: rain (west mostly) | Ideal May-Sept |
| Ubud & highlands (Batur) | Below 20°C at night, cool | Wetter than the coasts | Ideal May-Sept |
| Komodo & Flores (East) | Drier than the west, 28-32°C | Diving at its best Apr-Nov | Ideal Apr-Nov |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Nyepi (day of silence)
Balinese New Year: 24 hours of total silence, airport closed, empty streets. The day before, ogoh-ogoh parades with giant effigies.
🇮🇩 Bali
Galungan & Kuningan
Bali's main Hindu festival, the victory of good over evil. Streets line with penjor, tall decorated bamboo poles.
🇮🇩 Bali
Bali Arts Festival
A month of dance (Legong, Barong, Kecak), gamelan and craft at the Taman Budaya in Denpasar.
🇮🇩 Denpasar
Ubud Food Festival
Three days of Indonesian cooking, workshops and tasting tables in the heart of Ubud's rice fields.
🇮🇩 Ubud
Our analysis
Indonesia counts more than 17,000 islands, but for Bali, Java and the Gilis the rule fits in one line: aim for the dry season, May to September. That is when the skies stay blue, the sea calm and the humidity manageable.
The dry season, May to September
From April-May to September, the trade winds dry the air: 27 to 32°C on the coasts, clear skies, a flat sea. This is the prime window for beaches, surfing and diving. July and August draw the biggest crowds and push prices up, especially in Bali. My advice: aim for May, June or September, the same fine weather without the crush.
The highlands play another tune. Ubud, Mount Batur and Bromo in Java drop below 20°C at night. For a volcano sunrise, pack a real warm layer, even in peak dry season.
The wet season and its nuances
From October to April, the monsoon soaks the west most of all. January and February bring the heaviest rain and a sometimes choppy sea: best avoided for diving. But these are short tropical showers, often late in the day, not full days underwater. March and October, the pivot months, keep plenty of sun with fewer crowds.
One detail worth knowing before you book: the east of the country (Komodo, Flores) gets less rain than Bali and stays workable longer. And on 19 March 2026, Bali shuts everything down for Nyepi, its day of silence, airport included.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Indonesia? +
From May to September: dry season, 27-32°C, blue skies and low humidity over Bali, Java and the Gilis. It is also the best window for diving.
Which months avoid the crowds? +
May, June and September: fine weather without the July-August rush, softer prices and quieter sites in Ubud and on the Gilis.
What is the worst time to visit Indonesia? +
January and February are the wet season peak: heavy rain, high humidity, choppy sea. Diving and boat trips are disrupted.
When to go for diving (Komodo, Bali)? +
From April to November, clear water and calm sea. Komodo and the east are drier than the west and offer the best underwater visibility.
What is Nyepi and should you avoid it? +
On 19 March 2026, Bali observes 24 hours of silence: airport closed, empty streets, lights off. If you arrive or leave that day, shift your flight.
Can you visit Indonesia during the wet season? +
Yes, from October to April showers are often short, mostly late in the day. March and October, transition months, stay pleasant with soft prices and few crowds.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026