When is the best time
to visit Bali?

Written by Emilia
Published November 16, 2024

Introduction

Bali is a world-renowned surfing destination with waves suitable for surfers of all levels. But when is the best time to visit Bali? And when is the best time to surf in Bali for beginners? Bali is a year-round surfing destination for beginners, so I don’t think you need to be too picky when it comes to the surfing conditions in particular- as a beginner surfer in Bali you will almost always find good waves no matter the season. What you might want to consider is rather the crowd factor, weather, and prices that differ between seasons, and potentially also at what spots you want to surf at.

In this guide, I’ll break down the seasons and weather to help you plan your perfect Bali surf trip, choosing the best month(s) to visit Bali based on your personal preferences.

Seasons in Bali

Bali experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. I have been to Bali three times now, both during dry season and during wet season, so I’ve experienced firsthand how the weather can influence the activities, surfing and overall vibe of the island. Let’s dive into what you can expect during each season to help you determine when is the best time to visit Bali based on your own personal preferences.

When: April to October

Temperature: Warm to hot, averaging 27°C to 32°C (80°F to 90°F).

Precipitation: Very little to no rainfall, and low humidity.

Crowd: High; peak tourist season, especially between July to August which is when you can also expect higher prices.

Activities: Dry season is the perfect season for outdoor activities, and Bali offers no shortage of them. Common activities include surfing, trekking through breathtaking rice fields, and chasing stunning waterfalls. You can also take a day off and relax at a spa, take fitness classes like yoga, pilates, dancing or padel, or just relax at the beach.

Surf conditions for beginners: Excellent; while the waves are bigger during dry season and the lineups are more crowded compared to wet season, Bali’s still a great surf destinations for beginner surfers year-round. The west coast is usually best to surf during dry season.

When: November to March

Temperature: Warm to hot, ranging from 24°C to 29°C (75°F to 85°F).

Precipitation: This is the season where Bali has most of its annual rainfall and the weather becomes humid. It usually does not rain all day, there are instead one or a couple of heavy but short showers per day. Unfortunately, the rain washes up trash from the ocean so the beaches are not as clean during wet season as during dry season.

Crowd: Moderate; fewer tourists as peak season winds down, meaning you can also enjoy off-season prices. December and January are the months that can get busy during wet season, so during this time prices also rise.

Activities: While dry season is better suited for outdoor activities, you can still do them during wet season as well. You just have to be prepared for sudden rainfalls. During the rainfalls you can pamper yourself at a spa, go to a yoga class, do some shopping at local markets and boutiques, or take a Balinese cooking class.

Surf conditions for beginners: Excellent; although the surf conditions become less predictable during wet season, the waves are smaller and less intimidating and there’s fewer crowds. The east coast is usually best to surf during wet season. However, unfortunately the water can get trashy at this time of year since the rainfall washes up trash from the ocean.

September waves at Baby Padang had me feeling on top of the world

Weather in Bali

Based on weather reports collected during 2012–2021. Source: timeanddate

1. Average temperature

Hottest month: November
Coldest month: August

Month	Min	Max
January	77	88
February	77	88
March	77	88
April	77	88
May	77	88
June	75	86
July	75	84
August	75	84
September	75	86
October	75	88
November	77	90
December	77	88

Month	Min	Max
January	25	31
February	25	31
March	25	31
April	25	31
May	25	31
June	24	30
July	24	29
August	24	29
September	24	30
October	24	31
November	25	32
December	25	31

2. Average precipitation

Wettest month: January
Driest month: August

Month	Millimeters
January	202
February	163.8
March	115
April	71.3
May	47
June	27.6
July	21.6
August	7.4
September	18.7
October	32.7
November	81.5
December	160.9

The best time to surf in Bali for beginners

Any time of year is good for beginner surfers

Bali is a good beginner surf destination year-round. Determining the best time to surf in Bali for beginners depends a bit on where in Bali you will be surfing, your level, and your personal preferences. But overall, Bali works well for beginners throughout the entire year.

Sure, certain spots work better during certain months, but the month(s) you choose to visit Bali for surfing as a beginner won’t make or break your surf trip. During wet season, the waves are generally a bit smaller and less intimidating, but you’ll definitely find many spots with manageable and beginner-friendly waves during dry season too.

Instead of opting for the wet season solely for its smaller waves, I recommend considering three other factors, which I’ve outlined below under the next heading.

What you might want to consider when choosing when to visit Bali as a beginner surfer

1. Where in Bali you will be surfing

Most surf spots in the world work best with offshore winds. With offshore winds, the waves become cleaner and more well-defined, holding their shape better as they break, making for smoother and more surfable conditions. In contrast, onshore winds tend to make the waves choppy and less organized.

Bali’s east coast: From November to March, there are usually more offshore trade winds on Bali’s east coast. A good beginner surf spot on Bali’s east coast is Baby Reef in Sanur.
Bali’s west coast: From April to October, there are usually more offshore trade winds on Bali’s west coast. It’s on Bali’s west coast that you’ll find most beginner surf spots on the island. Some popular spots include Kuta Beach, Jimbaran Beach and Baby Padang.

If you are a complete beginner, you will most likely spend most of your time surfing already broken waves, the so called whitewater. Therefore it does not really matter if the winds are onshore or offshore, because you will anyways not be surfing unbroken waves that tend to hold up better with offshore winds. However, once you reach the point in your surfing journey where you’re starting to ride unbroken, green waves, the wind direction becomes more important.

2. The crowd factor during peak season

Peak season in Bali is July to August, and also the Christmas and New Year period. During these times, both the island and its surf spots become significantly more crowded. With more surfers in the water, it’s harder to find space to catch waves, meaning fewer opportunities to practice. The increased number of people also raises the risk of collisions and injuries.

On the other hand, visiting during peak season can be a good opportunity to meet more fellow beginner surfers and enjoy the lively surf community vibe.

3. Rainy season rubbish: the impact of heavy rain on Bali's beaches

While wet season tends to bring smaller and less intimidating waves and lesser crowds, the short but heavy rainfalls also wash up trash from the ocean, leaving both the beaches and surf lineups littered with rubbish. I’ve seen everything from half-eaten papayas to discarded diapers in the water while surfing in Bali. If you want to avoid trash in the water while surfing, you might want to consider visiting Bali during dry season.

Conclusion of when is the best time to visit Bali

The simple answer to this question is that it depends! Why? Because when is the best time to visit Bali depends on what is most important according to your own personal preferences.

Do you prefer traveling to places when they are less crowded or more bustling? Do you want to avoid rainfalls at all costs or do you not mind a short shower or two per day? Will higher peak-season prices break the bank for you or does a bit of splurging fit your budget? Answering these questions will help you determine the ideal time for your visit.

To help you out, here’s a short summary of the pros and cons of each season:

Dry season (April to October)

The dry season in Bali is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, minimal rainfall, and low humidity, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. With great surfing conditions for beginners, especially on Bali’s west coast at surf spots like Kuta Beach, Jimbaran Beach and Baby Padang, you’ll find plenty of manageable waves- although the lineups can get crowded, especially from July to August.

This season also offers a vibrant atmosphere, with numerous surf schools, events, and opportunities to connect with other surfers. However, expect higher prices for accommodation and activities as the peak tourist season hits during July and August.

Wet season (November to March)

During the wet season, Bali experiences shorter, heavy rainfalls that can lead to fewer crowds at the beaches and the surf lineups. The waves are generally smaller, making this season a suitable option for beginner surfers. Baby Reef in Sanur, located on Bali’s east coast, is usually a good beginner’s surf spot during wet season due to the offshore trade winds that occur at this time on the east coast.

However, the rain can wash up trash from the ocean, resulting in littered beaches and surf lineups. While you can still find beginner-friendly spots, the experience might be less enjoyable due to the rubbish in the water. On the upside, traveling during this time may offer more affordable accommodation options and a chance to experience a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere.

Quiz: test your knowledge

Comments

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! Whether you have suggestions for improvement, want to share what you liked, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback helps me create better content for all aspiring surfers!

When is the best time to visit Bali?

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