Best time to visit Indonesia: a month-by-month guide

The best time to visit Indonesia's most popular areas, Bali, Java, Lombok and Komodo, is the dry season from about April to October, with the driest conditions usually in August and September. Most of the country has its wet season from October to March, but parts of eastern Indonesia follow a different pattern, with rain from about April to August. Temperatures stay warm all year at sea level.

Because Indonesia is spread across a vast archipelago, choosing when to go is really about choosing where. This guide explains the seasons for the main holiday regions, gives a month-by-month overview, and flags the festivals and seasonal factors, such as Nyepi and volcanic activity, that can affect your plans.

Dry season and wet season explained

According to the UK government's travel advice, the wet season across most of Indonesia runs from October to March, while in eastern Indonesia it runs from April to August. Indonesia's meteorological agency, BMKG, projected that the 2026 dry season would peak in August and September, with Bali and West Nusa Tenggara (including Lombok) among the areas reaching their driest point in August and East Nusa Tenggara, where Komodo lies, mostly in September.

• Dry season (about April to October): sunnier days, lower humidity, calmer seas for boat trips and the best conditions for volcano treks.
• Wet season (about November to March): short, heavy tropical downpours, often in the afternoon, greener rice terraces and fewer visitors outside the Christmas holidays.
• Eastern exception: parts of eastern Indonesia have their rains from about April to August, so check the specific islands on your route.

Month-by-month guide

Region by region

Bali

Bali is a year-round destination, but the dry months from April to October are best for beaches, temple visits such as Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, and sunrise treks up Mount Batur. The wet season brings rain to the island, and the UK government notes that Bali can experience severe local flooding, but the Ubud rice terraces are at their greenest.

Java

Central and East Java share Bali's broad pattern. The dry season is the best time for sunrise at Borobudur, the temples of Prambanan and the volcanic landscapes of Mount Bromo and Ijen, where clear skies make all the difference to the views. In the wet season, early starts help you avoid afternoon storms.

Lombok, the Gili Islands and Komodo

Further east, the dry season is pronounced. Boat trips in Komodo National Park and around Labuan Bajo are most comfortable from about April to October, when seas are generally calmer. On Lombok, treks on Mount Rinjani depend on the national park being open, and routes can close in the wet season; check the latest status before planning a climb.

Sumatra and further afield

The UK government warns that wildfire haze is common from May to November, particularly in the Riau Islands, central Sumatra and Kalimantan, so check air quality if your route includes Lake Toba or Bukit Lawang. Remote areas such as Raja Ampat have their own local patterns, so ask your specialist about the best months for a specific island.

Festivals and cultural events

• Nyepi (Bali's Day of Silence, usually March): a Hindu new-year day when everyone on Bali, visitors included, must stay indoors with lights off and no noise, and Ngurah Rai airport closes for the day. It fell on 19 March in 2026; published holiday calendars give 8 March 2027, so check the confirmed date before booking.
• Galungan and Kuningan: important Balinese Hindu festivals set by the Balinese calendar, when villages are decorated with tall bamboo penjor poles; ask your specialist whether they fall during your stay.
• Vesak at Borobudur: Buddhist pilgrims gather at the temple for the full-moon celebration, with dates set by the lunar calendar.
• Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: dates move each year with the Islamic calendar. Travel within Indonesia becomes very busy around Eid as people return to their home towns.

Crowds, prices and volcanoes

July and August, plus the Christmas and New Year weeks, are the busiest and most expensive times in Bali and on Komodo boat trips. April to June and September to October usually offer the best balance of weather and value. Komodo National Park has also capped visitor numbers at 1,000 per day since 1 April 2026, so booking ahead matters in peak months. Our guide to Indonesia trip costs explains how season affects price.

Volcanic activity is possible at any time of year. The UK government advises respecting exclusion zones and checking official alert levels, as eruptions can happen without warning and ash can disrupt flights. Your specialist will adjust treks if a volcano's alert level changes.

New to the country? Read our Indonesia travel guide for first-time visitors. When you know your dates, plan an Indonesia trip around the seasons or browse the Java, Bali & Komodo Explorer.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. GOV.UK — Indonesia travel advice: safety and security
2. GOV.UK — Indonesia travel advice: health
3. Databoks — BMKG predicts Indonesia's peak dry season in August–September 2026
4. ANTARA — Komodo National Park limits tourist visits to 1,000 per day
5. Office Holidays — Hari Raya Nyepi in Indonesia, 2027