Wet Season in Bali: What's it Like? [Our Experience]

When most people think of Bali, images of sun-soaked beaches, clear blue skies, and vibrant sunsets will come to mind. And while this is certainly the case for much of the year, like all tropical destinations, Bali also experiences a wet season.

Spanning from November to April, rainy season in Bali brings increased rainfall, higher humidity, and sporadic tropical storms. But should the risk of rain stop you from planning a trip during this period?

After spending the last couple of years in Bali, we've come to realise that rainy season isn't all bad. In this guide, we'll take you through the pros and cons of visiting Bali during the rainy season to help you decide if it is worth it. We've also included our tips and tricks for visiting during this time.

When is Rainy Season in Bali?

Being a tropical island, Bali experiences a dry season and a wet season. Rainy season, aka monsoon season, runs from roughly November to March each year.

In our experience, rainy season can change considerably from year to year. In 2022, frequent rain showers were well underway from November, yet in 2023 it remained fairly dry until late January/February then lasted later.

It's not totally unheard of to get some rainy days during the dry season from April to October too.

How Much Does It Rain During Wet Season?

During the wet season in Bali, the island can get anywhere between 28 - 35cm of rain each month. In January (peak rainy season), you can expect some rain almost every day.

Fortunately, the worst of the rain in Bali usually happens at night, with sporadic downpours and occasional tropical thunderstorms during the day. Typically, these showers are short and intense, lasting just a couple of hours.

Even during the wet season, you can still experience plenty of bright and sunny days that are perfect for exploring the island's beautiful scenery, swimming in waterfalls, and sunbathing on the beach.

Plus, the weather in Bali averages a toasty 30°C all year round. It can actually feel even hotter during the rainy season due to the increased humidity.

Benefits of Visiting Bali During Rainy Season

Fewer tourists

Rainy season in Bali is also the low season, which means there are fewer tourists on the island.

While Bali is never exactly quiet due to its ever increasing popularity, the low season does mean there are generally fewer people at the popular resorts and major tourist attractions.

During the rainy season, you'll have the unique opportunity to experience the best of Bali without the huge crowds and long lines at the best photo spots.

The one exception is around the Christmas and New Year period when Australians flood the tourist resorts of Kuta and Legian for their summer holidays.

Lower prices

Lower demand also means that many hotels, attractions, and tours in Bali reduce their prices or offer special discounts to attract more visitors.

It's also the best time to test your haggling skills at the island's many markets. If you negotiate hard enough, you'll probably be able to get better deals than during the busy peak periods.

So if you're looking to save money on your Bali trip, this is the perfect time to visit.

Nature is at its best

Rainy season is the best time to experience Bali's breathtaking natural scenery, from the stunning valleys to epic waterfalls and so much more.

While Bali's famous waterfalls become rather depleted during the dry season, increased rainfall in the wet season causes more water to cascade down the cliffs in an incredible display of power. The lush greenery surrounding most waterfalls also adds to the spectacular natural phenomenon.

Bali's jungles and rice paddies really thrive during the rainy season too. The rice harvest takes place in the terraces around Ubud between April and May, which means that February to April is a great time to see the dense green and yellow rice fields at their finest.

Downsides of Visiting Bali During Rainy Season

It's WET!

The obvious downside of visiting Bali during rainy season is that there's a good chance you're going to get wet!

Weather is difficult to predict in Bali and you never know when you'll get caught in a spontaneous downpour. And even if you do see it coming, you're probably going to have to head out in the rain at some point anyway.

If you're really not a fan of the rain, it's probably best to avoid the rainy season anywhere you visit.

More mosquitos

Bali's rainy season is also peak mosquito season.

Mosquitos are one of the few bug species that thrive in the rain, rather than avoiding it. They also love moisture and humidity, so the biggest influx usually occurs right after a big storm.

Mosquitos are a problem all across Bali during rainy season. But you can expect to find the most in the jungle-heavy areas and around the rice terraces.

Occasional flooding

Unfortunately, Bali's infrastructure isn't quite cut out to handle the amount of rain the island has gotten in recent years.

During particularly bad storms or a heavy few days of rain, flooding and landslides are common in rural lowland areas. On occasion, flooding can also occur in the more touristy coastal areas such as Kuta and Seminyak.

Usually, the floods won't affect hotels and resorts, but they can cause disruptions to the roads and even leak into some older buildings.

Bad traffic

When the weather gets bad in Bali, so does the traffic.

Due to a mix of poor road conditions, occasional flooding, bad visibility, and more cars on the roads, you may find journey times increase during rainy season. Especially if you're attempting to shelter from the rain by taking a car.

During a downpour, it can also be more difficult to get a taxi or driver to pick you up in the first place.

Bike taxi drivers tend to shelter from the rain during bad downpours, resulting in fewer drivers available. On the other hand, car taxis are in such high demand that you may end up waiting a long time for one to accept your request.

Rough sea conditions

Visiting the beautiful Nusa Islands and Gili Islands are some of the most popular things to do on a trip to Bali.

However, getting to these small islands is only possible using local ferries and boats - something that can be a little more challenging during rainy season.

Bali ferries have an unfortunate reputation for still running when sea conditions are rough, resulting in extremely turbulent journeys. If you get nervous on boats or are easily seasick, it may be better to avoid taking a ferry on a rainy day.

During particularly bad storms, ferries between the islands may eventually get canceled. These cancellations could either leave you stranded on an island or disrupt your entire trip itinerary.

Tips for Visiting Bali During Rainy Season

1. Don't rely on the weather forecast

One thing we've learned after spending two years in Bali is that you really can't rely on the weather forecast here. It's almost always wrong.

The weather in Bali is extremely unpredictable. Forecast apps and websites can rarely predict it with any reliable accuracy.

While you can certainly use the forecast as a rough guide for planning your days, you're better off using your judgment and common sense.

Check the sky before you leave your accommodation in the morning and always be prepared for any weather. It can change drastically in a matter of minutes.

2. Stick to the southern coastal areas

In general, the coastal resort areas in southern Bali, such as Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu, tend to get less rain than the north of the island.

Due to their higher altitude, Bali's central highlands, including Bedugul and Munduk, get the most rain. The rain here is also more persistent than the quick downpours in the south. On our last visit to Bedegul in early March, it poured it down for 2 days straight.

If you don't have much time during your trip, we'd recommend skipping these mountainous areas and sticking to the beaches of the south.

3. ALWAYS carry a rain jacket!

No matter how sunny it is when you first wake up or what the weather forecast apps say, make sure to always carry a raincoat with you!

A sudden downpour can come out of nowhere. And there's nothing worse than getting caught out in a storm without anything to protect yourself.

You won't need a heavy winter raincoat. Just throw a light waterproof or poncho into your day bag so it's easily accessible.

We often leave an extra jacket or cheap rain mack in the seat of our scooter in case we get caught out on the road.

4. Make the most of the mornings

From our experience, tropical downpours in Bali are more likely to happen in the afternoon than in the morning.

If you're visiting during rainy season, don't waste the sunny mornings sleeping in. Wake up sharp and head out to explore first thing to make the most fo your day.

5. Keep your schedule and plans flexible

When visiting Bali in rainy season, it's vital to keep your plans as flexible as possible so you can easily rearrange things according to the weather.

Fortunately, most attractions and activities in Bali don't need to be booked a long time in advance. Other than your flights and accommodation, everything else can be arranged closer to your trip or even once you arrive.

6. Think carefully about when to visit the islands

If you're planning to visit some of the beautiful islands off the coast of Bali, it's best not to leave these until the final few days of your trip.

Pick a calm and sunny day early in your trip to head to the islands. Allow yourself plenty of flexibility with the return ferry.

It’s not uncommon for boats between Bali and the islands to get canceled during particularly large storms.

The last thing you want is to be stranded on an island the day before your flight home from Bali Airport. No one wants to end their trip on such a stressful note.

A friend of ours got stuck on the Gili Islands over the Christmas holidays due to a very bad storm.

7. Use plenty of bug spray

Mosquito repellent should be on your packing list no matter when you visit Bali. But it's even more essential during the wet season.

The increased humidity during wet season can lead to more mosquitoes. These mosquitos not only cause itchy and annoying bites, but they also increase the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses (like dengue fever).

You should apply mosquito repellent every day. And don’t forget to reapply before you head out in the evening - dusk and evening are peak mosquito time.

8. Pick accommodation with on-site amenities

When choosing accommodation during the wet season, it's best to pick somewhere with on-site amenities or in a central area with plenty nearby.

As tempting as it may be to sequester yourself away in a beautiful villa in the middle of nowhere, heavy rain can make it difficult to ride your bike, get taxis, or even have food delivered to your accommodation.

If you're staying in a hotel or resort, choose somewhere with an onsite restaurant and bar, and maybe even their own spa and guest activities. If heavy rain prevents you from heading out for a day, you'll still have something to do and a place to eat.

If you're staying in a private villa or Airbnb, try to find somewhere that's a short walk to some cafes and restaurants, or at least a shop or two.

9. Have a rainy day backup plan

If it does rain during your trip, remember that it's not the end of the world. There are plenty of great indoor activities in Bali for a rainy day, from spas and shopping to museums, classes, workshops, and plenty more.

Do some research before your trip and make sure you have a couple of backup options in case your planned itinerary gets derailed due to the weather.