Indonesia by seasons: when to go to Bali, Sulawesi and Papua
There is no single best season for all of Indonesia. The archipelago stretches along the equator from Sumatra to New Guinea, so the weather depends on the region, not the month on the calendar. While Bali is dry and hot, West Papua is getting heavy rain.
Getting the dates wrong is costly. In January you risk being stranded without a ferry on Lombok, and the trails to Mount Rinjani are closed from January to mid-March. According to the BMKG meteorological service, the 2026 dry season began in most regions in April-June and will end in mid-October (BMKG, 09/2026).
Later in this article: a table of seasons by island, the climate of Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and West Papua, the pros and cons of the rainy season, and the best months for surfing.
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When to go to Indonesia
💡 In short:
- The main window for most of the country: April-October, the dry season.
- Bali and Java get the least rain from June through August.
- Sulawesi and Kalimantan are open from mid-May through October.
- West Papua works the opposite way: calm seas in April-May and September-October.
- The rainy season does not cancel a trip: you still get 3-4 hours of sun per day.
- Seasons, climate and rainfall: 09/2026, according to the BMKG meteorological service.
In most regions, the workable months for a trip are April-October. From November through March the rainy season runs, and it has its appeal: prices are lower and beaches are emptier. The temperature stays steady all year, 25-35 °C during the day, and only July and September are slightly cooler than the other months (per the BMKG climate outlook, 09/2026). If this is your first trip, aim for the dry half of the year, and for a short island trip build in one buffer day for flights.
Season by region: table
Seasons differ across the islands, so you cannot pick one date for the whole route. Check the table so you do not mix up regions when planning.
Region | Best time to visit |
|---|---|
Sumatra | mid-April to mid-October |
Java and Jakarta | May to October |
Bali and Lombok | May to October |
Kalimantan (Borneo) | mid-May to October |
Sulawesi | mid-May to October |
West Papua and New Guinea | April to October, rain is more evenly spread |
Season boundaries are generalized from the BMKG outlook for 2026 (as of 09/2026). If you are building a route across several islands, put the wetter region at the start of the trip and save the dry one for the end.
How Indonesia's climate works
Indonesia lies on the equator, so the temperature stays steady all year. The weather is driven by the monsoon, not by changing calendar seasons. From April through October, the east monsoon blows over Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands and the Aru Islands, bringing dry air. From November through March, the west monsoon pulls moisture in from the sea.
© musnahterinjak · CC BY-SAPhoto: musnahterinjak, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsHumidity is high year-round, and the air near the coasts is heavy. Where the monsoon affects a region less, rain is more evenly spread and does not disrupt your plans as much (per BMKG data, 09/2026). Build one buffer day into sea crossings: ferry schedules depend on the waves.
Best time to visit Bali
Bali, together with Lombok and Sumbawa, is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The best months here are May through October. From June to August the rain almost stops, and the sun shines for about ten hours a day (according to the BMKG summary, 09/2026).
The beaches people come here for: Tanjung Aan Beach and Selong Belanak on Lombok, Gili Bola and Lariti Beach on Sumbawa. The sea water is warm all year round, around 25-28 °C. On Bali, from July to November cold currents can occur, bringing the water down to 21-25 °C (according to BMKG climate data, 09/2026).
© Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhen planning a trip to Bali, include the tourist levy in your budget. Since February 14, 2024, every foreign tourist pays 150,000 IDR once per trip (Love Bali, 09/2026). Payment is made online; cash is not accepted at the entrance.
Lombok is known for the active volcano Rinjani, the second highest in the country. The best time to climb it is from July to September, when the slopes are dry. From January to mid-March the trails are closed: heavy rains make them impassable, and your trip to the summit will have to be rescheduled.
Book accommodation on Bali in advance if you are traveling in the dry months: check hotel prices on Bali on Trip.com.
Kalimantan, Borneo and Sulawesi
In the north of the country lies Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. Sulawesi is climatically close to Borneo, and people come here for the jungles north of Makassar and diving near Palu. The best months are from mid-May to October, when there are only four, at most eight rainy days per month (according to the BMKG report, 09/2026).
© Thank You (25 Millions ) views from Fresno, USA · CC BYPhoto: Thank You (25 Millions ) views from Fresno, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsFrom August to October the air warms up to 33 °C. Southern Sulawesi gets up to eight hours of sunshine per day in September and is considered one of the clearest regions in the country (according to BMKG weather service observations, 09/2026). Bring light clothing and repellent: in the jungle, mosquitoes are active even in the dry season.
West Papua: where the weather is more consistent than elsewhere
In the east, Indonesia occupies the western half of New Guinea. The north of West Papua is less dependent on the monsoon, so the climate here is more consistent. Rain falls even in the dry months, but in short bursts (according to the BMKG precipitation forecast, 09/2026).
© Firmansyah Dg Romo · CC BY-SAPhoto: Firmansyah Dg Romo, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe regional capital Manokwari is one of the warmest places in the country. Tropical palm-lined beaches sit nearby: Bakaro Beach and Mansinam Island. In April, May, September, and October the sea here is mirror-calm, and that is the best time for swimming.
From June through September the weather is steady: 30-31 °C by day, no lower than 22 °C at night, around ten days with light rain per month (according to BMKG weather service data, 09/2026). Bring a light rain jacket and quick-drying shoes if you want to reach the water between short downpours.
Rainy season: pros and cons
Rainy season does not mean nonstop downpour. Weigh both sides before choosing your travel dates.
What is good about the rainy season
It does not rain all day. There are on average three to four sunny hours per day, which is enough for the beach and a short outing (according to BMKG statistics, 09/2026). Beaches are empty at this time, even in Bali. Accommodation gets cheaper, and finding an available room is easier.
What gets in the way during the rainy season
From November through March there can be up to 25 rainy days per month. Temperatures stay around 23-27 °C, but humidity makes the weather feel muggy. In cities this kind of heat wears you out, and long trips have to be planned around downpours (according to the BMKG climate summary, 09/2026). Build an extra day into your itinerary if you need to take a boat to a neighboring island.
Best surf spots in Indonesia
Surfers head to the southern shores of the Indian Ocean. In Bali the best waves run from May through September. The islands of Timor and Rote have become notable surf hubs, with the season here lasting from March through November.
On Nias Island, in Lagundri Bay, surfers ride waves for seven seconds. The Mentawai chain is known for the quality breaks Green Bush and Hollow Tree, and you can surf there year-round. Beginners are better off from December through February: waves are smaller, beaches are empty, and you can get up on the board without pressure.
If you are chasing waves for the first time, check out tours and activities in Indonesia on GetYourGuide.
Indonesia on the map
The country's regions are spread across thousands of kilometers, and a single map will not show local weather. Keep a map of the islands in front of you to plan flights between them: Open on map.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Indonesia for the first time?
For the classic Java and Bali route, go between April and October. From June through August the rain almost stops, the sun shines for about ten hours a day, and the sea stays warm. A trip from November to March is also possible if you are ready for daily downpours and high humidity.
What to pack for the rainy season?
A rain jacket, quick-drying shoes, and a dry bag for your electronics. The downpours are short but heavy, and they wash out the roads afterward. Insect repellent is useful in the dry season too, especially on Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Do I need a visa and what else do I pay in Bali?
EU citizens need a visa on arrival. The electronic e-VOA can be arranged in advance on the official portal, with a fee of 500,000 IDR (evisa.imigrasi.go.id, 09/2026). In 2026 there were discussions about raising the fee, so check the amount when you apply. Separately, Bali has a tourist levy of 150,000 IDR per trip (according to the official Love Bali website, 09/2026).
When to go to Sulawesi and Kalimantan?
From mid-May to October. A month may have only four, at most eight rainy days, and from August to October it is hottest during the day: up to 33 °C. For diving near Palu and the jungles north of Makassar, this is the best window (according to the BMKG rainfall summary, 09/2026).
Can you swim in the rainy season?
Yes, the sea stays warm: the water holds at about 25-28 °C all year round. Restrictions are more often about waves and murky water after downpours, not the rain itself. Before heading out on a boat, check the wave forecast so your day on the water does not fall through.
In short: what is worth booking
Plan your trip by region, not by calendar. If you are doing Java and Bali, take May to October, and add July and August for surfing. If you are going to Sulawesi or Kalimantan, aim for mid-May and October, and leave September for diving near Palu. If you want West Papua and Manokwari, choose April to October. For swimming, April to May and September to October are best.
Accommodation in Bali gets booked up fast in the dry season: see Bali hotels on Trip.com.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.