Cheaper and fewer crowds: Why you should visit Bali in the off-season
If you're tired of having your Bali holiday crashed by hordes of other tourists and want to see a more serene side of the island, visiting in the off-season is the answer.
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There's something special about hearing the patter of rain as you do yoga on the (covered) deck of your Ubud villa looking out at the greenest rice-paddies you've ever seen.
But visiting Bali in off-season isn't all fun and games.
If you're heading to Bali in the off-season and are after advice on the best things to do, what to pack and what to be prepared for during this period of rainy weather and super cheap deals, we've got you sorted.
Plus: a few reasons why avoiding peak season in Bali and going there during the wet season might actually be a smart idea.
What are the Bali seasons tourists need to be aware of?
Bali has two seasons, wet season (November to March) and dry season (April to October). During wet season the weather is more humid and it rains more. That's not to say it's never sunny: it's just you're more likely to have sunny days interspersed with rain squalls (where as in dry season you're more likely to get consecutive days of solid sun).
See also: Tourists surfing the streets in Bali after major flooding
Bali off-season guide
Bali off-season is November to March. It's the off-season because this is when the weather is, on average, less suited to tourism. During the Bali off-season you can score better priced airfares and hotel deals if you are willing to risk wetter weather.
Bali peak season
Bali peak season is April to October. This is the best time of year to visit Bali, beach-weather wise, and coincides with the time of year that the weather is cold and miserable in Aussie cities like Sydney and Melbourne, making it a popular time of year for tourists (particularly Australians) to head to Bali, leading to increased pressure on airfares (and higher prices).
See also: Incredible photos show what Bali was like in the 1980s
Benefits of visiting Bali in the off-season
There's heaps of things to do in Bali during off-season. Here's some of the best of them.
Surf Keramas
Though the Bukit Peninsula and its iconic reef break waves like Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Bingin fire during the dry season, other waves like Keramas actually can get really good during the shoulder season and the off-season months. This is because the trade winds blow offshore on the Bukit peninsula (onshore on the east coast at breaks like Keramas) during the dry season. In contrast, during the rainy season, you're more likely to get glassy conditions in the surf at Keramas, giving you the chance to get the picture-perfect barrel you've been imagining. Off-season can also be really fun at Canggu and Seminyak.
See the countryside at its greenest
Even though you might miss out on the best waves of the Bukit Peninsula, as well as the Bali Arts Festival and the Bali Kite Festival, which occur in dry season, one benefit you get if visiting Bali in the wet season is you get to see the rice paddies of Ubud, Semarapura and Sidemen at their most verdant. It can also be a beautiful time of year to go trekking, cycling and waterfall-visiting.
Avoid crowds
Another benefit of visiting Bali in low season is you get to see a more relaxed side to the island. In July and August the crowds can be manic at attractions like the Uluwatu temple, the sacred monkey forest sanctuary, ceking rice terrace and tegenungan waterfall. In off-season however, you still sometimes get sunny weather, and you could even argue it's the best time to visit Bali if you don't love dealing with heaving masses of tourists.
Experience Nyepi
Every year in March (in 2025 it falls from Saturday 29 to Sunday 30) demonic effigies fill the streets for Nyepi, Balinese New Year. It's also a day of silence, fasting, and meditation (the effigies are eventually burned to symbolise the ridding of the island of evil spirits). Though some people might find it inconvenient as everything shuts down (even the airport), we say it's worth being there for it to experience a glimpse into the local culture and tradition.
Go white water rafting
While dry season is the best time of year for whitewater rafting in Bali for kids and families, wet season is better for getting your blood racing with more powerful rapids. There are two main options for whitewater rafting in Bali, the Telaga Waja River (near Sidemen) and the Ayung River (near Ubud). The 16km Telaga Waja River course is the longer of the two (and slightly further to reach from Ubud) and the Ayung River course is 10km and closer to reach from Ubud.
See Makepung Lampit
Makepung Lampit is a Balinese water buffalo race held in Jembrana, West Bali, through harvested rice fields, that usually takes places sometime between July and mid November, which means if you head to Bali at the start of the off-season, you might get to see it.
Visit the sacred monkey forest
Around 1200 monkeys (long-tailed macaques, to be precise) live at this temple-dotted nature reserve in Ubud. If you have time, it's well worth a visit - and can look particularly stunning during the wet season when the sun comes out after a bout of rain.
Visit Uluwatu temple
This is one of Bali’s six most important temples and is a must-see attraction if you want to experience a bit of Balinese culture.
Besides the beautiful views over the water and the crashing waves below, there's also fire dances here every night at a nearby amphitheatre, which are a unique expression of Bali hinduism.
Do a yoga retreat
Yoga, unlike reading a book on the beach, doesn't require dry weather. In fact, there's something lovely about doing yoga while listening to the patter of rain outside. So off-season is a great - and cheap - time of year to book a yoga retreat in Bali.
Rainfall during Bali off-season
Ok, here is the million dollar question: how bad, really, is the rainfall in Bali's off-season? Allow us to summarise it for you below:
November: medium chance of frequent rain
December: high chance of frequent rain
January: very high chance of frequent rain
February: High chance of frequent rain
March: Medium chance of frequent rain
What to pack when visiting Bali in the off-season
Other than your usual travel clothes, here are some things you should consider bringing to Bali in the off season: raincoat, umbrella, rubber Birkenstocks (leather or cork won't love the rain), mosquito repellent; a positive attitude.
Frequently asked questions about Bali off-season
Which month not to visit Bali?
January is the month where it typically rains most in Bali. During the wet season, Bali gets 234 – 287 mm of monthly rainfall on average. In January, Bali often sees up to 350 mm of rainfall in total for that month, which is well above the annual average. That said, you can often score great deals in January, so if you don't mind the risk of rain and occasional-associated flooding, it could still be an option to consider.
What is the cheapest month to go to Bali?
Because it's known as the rainiest, least popular time of year, January and February tend to be the cheapest months to visit Bali.
What is the busiest month in Bali?
The busiest months in Bali are usually July and August, because this is the peak of the dry season and also when Aussie school holidays are.
Worst time to travel to Bali?
It depends on your priorities. If your main goal is to have a cheap holiday with fewer crowds, then the worst time of year to travel to Bali is the dry season. If your main goal is to have a holiday with beautiful beach weather, the worst time to travel to Bali is the wet season.
Bali travel guide for couples
Bali is a beautiful place to visit for couples. From Instagram-worthy bubble tents and spectacular tree-houses in Ubud and Sidemen to clifftop villas in Uluwatu and luxury resorts in Nusa Dua, you're sure to find a spot of romance somewhere. If that's not in your budget try the hipster enclaves of Canggu or Pererenan (or if you want something in the thick of the action try Kuta or Seminyak). If you want something off the beaten track this secret side of the island is worth checking out too.
See also: Best resorts and hotels in Bali for couples in 2025
Bali travel guide for first timers
Ok, there's a few rules here: don't drink spirits or cocktails, think about what your priorities are (and book the time of year and location of your trip accordingly), learn some local lingo, and download Grab or Gojek for getting around.
Originally published as Cheaper and fewer crowds: Why you should visit Bali in the off-season
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