Bali is eight degrees south of the equator, so it is warm all year — typically 28–32 °C by day on the coast, with a sea of 27–30 °C. What changes is the rain. The short answer: April to November, the dry season, for sunny days, calm seas and the best underwater visibility; May, June and September are the sweet spot. The good news is that the north-west coast sits in the rain shadow of Bali’s volcanoes and the dry hills of West Bali, so even in the wet season it gets noticeably less rain than Ubud or the south.
Pemuteran month by month
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Wettest month, hot and humid | Low (busy at New Year) | Showers, often short; quiet |
| February | Wet, humid | Low | Quiet season; lowest prices |
| March | Rains easing; Nyepi | Low | Good value; check the Nyepi date |
| April | Dry season begins | Moderate | Very good — green and quiet |
| May | Dry, sunny | Moderate | Excellent — one of the best months |
| June | Dry, slightly cooler nights | Rising | Excellent; great visibility |
| July | Dry, breezy | High | Peak season — book ahead |
| August | Dry, breezy | Very high | Peak season; busiest month |
| September | Dry, warm | Moderate | Excellent — our favourite month |
| October | Dry, hotter | Moderate | Very good all round |
| November | Rains start, mostly afternoons | Low | Mixed; quiet and good value |
| December | Wet season, humid | Low, then very high | Quiet until the holiday rush |
April to November — the dry season
The south-east trade winds bring clear skies, low humidity and a calm sea on the north coast, especially in the mornings. Underwater visibility at Menjangan is often excellent, and the national park’s forests turn brown and open, which makes wildlife easier to spot. July and August are the busiest months, with European summer holidays and Indonesian school breaks; book popular hotels a couple of months ahead.
December to March — the wet season
The north-west monsoon brings humid air and tropical downpours, usually in the afternoon or at night rather than all day. The sea can be choppier and visibility lower after heavy rain, and a few boat trips are cancelled, but the landscape is green, the waterfalls are at their most powerful and prices drop. Christmas and New Year are the exception — busy and expensive.
The quiet season
From mid-January to March, and again in November, Pemuteran is at its quietest. Some smaller hotels and restaurants take the opportunity to close for renovations, and dive centres run fewer scheduled trips — you may be the only guest on the boat, which has its charms. If you come in the quiet season, book tours a day or two ahead so that operators can confirm departures, and ask your hotel which restaurants are open.
Balinese festivals and holidays
- Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence, usually in March) shuts the whole island for 24 hours: no traffic, no flights, no lights, and guests must stay in their hotels. The night before, villages parade giant ogoh-ogoh effigies — a spectacular sight.
- Galungan and Kuningan come round every 210 days on the Balinese calendar. Streets fill with bamboo penjor poles and temples with ceremonies; some businesses close for a day or two.
- Indonesian school holidays (around late June to mid-July) and the end of Ramadan (Idul Fitri) bring domestic visitors; the Java–Bali ferry is very busy around Idul Fitri.
For divers
- Water temperature stays around 27–30 °C all year; a 3 mm shorty or rash vest is enough for most people.
- Visibility at Menjangan is typically best from around May to November.
- Currents are usually gentle on the Menjangan walls, which makes the site suitable for beginners; your guide will choose the side of the island to match the conditions.