Spanning over 17,000 islands and 3,200 miles from west to east, Indonesia has countless beautiful places to explore. Despite its formidable geography, the weather and seasons aren’t too difficult to plan around, so read on for the best time to visit Indonesia and make the most of the sunshine!
Many of the most popular islands to visit – Bali, Java, Lombok and the Gilis, and Komodo – lie within western or central Indonesia and the best time to visit is between April and September (the dry season). Indonesia enjoys warm, tropical temperatures averaging around 28°C for most of the year including the wet seasons, when rainfall comes in intense downpours that tend to last only for a couple of hours.
Bali & Java
The dry season is the best time to visit the popular beach spots of Bali, whether you plan to soak up the sun, swim, surf or scuba dive. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, May, June and September are often considered the best time to visit areas like Jimbaran, Sanur and Seminyak. It’s also worth noting that during the wet season, the central regions around Ubud and Bali’s mountains experience cooler temperatures and higher rainfall than the coast. The dry season is also a spectacular time to travel if you are planning to climb one of Java’s many volcanoes like Mount Bromo or Ijen. However, it’s important to remember that in the higher, mountainous regions, the temperatures can sit much below the average of 28 – 30°C, especially at night.
Lombok
While there are perks to visiting the island of Lombok during the rainy season (October to March) as it transforms into an emerald paradise and there will be fewer tourists to share it with, certain activities may have limited availability or be cancelled due to unpredictable weather. When it comes to hiking the island’s trails or summiting Mount Rinjani, the dry season is ultimately the best time to visit. However, the shoulder seasons (April and May, September and October) shouldn’t be overlooked as they have fewer crowds and the odd afternoon shower, which shouldn’t affect your plans. This is also a fantastic time for snorkelling when the seas are flat and the water is crystal-clear. The peak season months of May to September are fantastic for surfing as well.
Kalimantan
In some areas of Indonesia’s portion of Borneo, Kalimantan, the difference between the two seasons isn’t extreme. However, due to its size, the weather conditions vary slightly from region to region: the south is the driest while the rainforest-carpeted interior is predictably the wettest. The island experiences a light rainy season from March to May, while the heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January. Orangutans can be spotted in the Tanjung Puting National Park throughout the year, however they tend to be more elusive during the rains. The hottest months are typically May and August when daytime temperatures can reach up to 33°C.
Komodo Islands
While the Komodo Islands are among Indonesia’s driest regions, the rainy season (January to mid-March) can be hit with wild winds, waves and heavy rainfall. During this time, fewer tours are in operation, especially in February. The peak season to visit is between July and August, when the islands’ popular snorkelling spots draw thousands of tourists, also making it one of the most expensive times to visit. We’d rather opt for the in-between seasons of April to June when the islands are lush with greenery and the seas are calm (perfect for snorkelling with whale sharks), or September to November when the weather is idyllic and there will be fewer people joining you on treks to find the iconic Komodo dragons.
