You can travel to Indonesia all year round to see the country main’s attractions including Bali, Jakarta, or Sumatra, etc. Indonesia weather features two distinctive seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from May to September, is considered the best time to visit Indonesia. From October to April is the rainy season in Indonesia. This time Indonesia receives a high amount of rainfall.
If you are looking for a specific guide about the weather of Indonesia for your Indonesia trip, keep scrolling down to read detailed information about the best time to visit Indonesia.
Indonesia Weather Overview
With thousands of islands lying stretch through the equator, Indonesia weather characterized by tropical rain forest climate with two distinctive seasons in Indonesia: dry season lasts from May to September and wet season lasts from October to April. With the average temperature at around 28 °C, it is warm and humid all year round.
Additionally, there are some regional exceptions. In Sumatra, the rainy season lasts from October to January in the north and November to February in the south. In Sulawesi, the rainfall happens during June and July.
In some regions, the difference between the two seasons is not significant. For example, in Bali and Kalimantan, the weather is relatively unaffected by the season change. However, the contrast typically grows as you go towards the east into the Nusa Tenggara region (Lombok Flores, and beyond) where can experience flooding during the wet season and drought in the dry.
When is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia?
In a nutshell, the best time to visit Indonesia is between May and September when the weather is nice both day and night time. However, during the wet season, the rainfall comes in the form of intense tropical downpours and tends to last for a couple of hours and thus doesn’t spoil your trip.
Indonesia in the Dry Season – From May to September
The dry season from May to September is the best time to visit the whole of Indonesia. Traveling to the country this time, you will feel the ocean breezes slightly blow through your hair. This period of time is best for you to do activities such as surfing, diving, mountain climbing or more. The water is very warm from May to the end of July (at 27 °C (81 °F). From August to September, Indonesia experience a little bit increase in temperature. This time the temperature in the evening can drop down to 18°C making the air a bit cold.
Indonesia in the Wet Season – From October to April
October witnesses a bit change in the weather. As the sky remains blue and clear, there are sometimes severe storms happens towards the country. This time, the temperature is pretty high, ranging from 23 - 32°C. From November, the number of tourists coming to Indonesia becomes less. However, this is not what deter you from visiting the country in the wet season. Bali or Lombok are places where you can enjoy glorious weather during the whole year.
Best Time to Visit Indonesia by Region
Best Time to visit Bali
The dry season in Bali spans from April to September, with blue skies and days are full of sunshine. In general, Bali is good to visit all year round. May, June, and September are the best months to visit Bali Indonesia when the weather conditions are comfortable.
Traveling to Bali between April and September, you can expect to see the best of Bali in every corner of Bali. From the charming temples to mesmerizing rice terraces and pristine beaches, all are wonderful to see. Especially, there are many colorful festivals takes place during the month from June to August for tourists indulge in the cultural alluring of Bali. For example, Bali Art Festival, Nusa Dua Festival, Bali Kites Festival, etc. As a result, this time is when Bali witnesses the highest number of travelers come to explore the beautiful attraction of Indonesia.
From November to March, Bali endures a tremendous amount of rain and tends to be downpours. Therefore, it doesn’t deter your trip. Traveling to Bali this time, the hotel prices are much reasonable and you will have more spaces to explore the sites and interact with local people.
Best Time to Visit Sumatra
The Sumatra is a fairly large island. It split by the equator and weather conditions vary slightly across the island. Sumatra has a hit and humid tropical climate with average temperatures is at 27-28°C throughout the years.
Like other places in Indonesia, the weather in Sumatra can be divided into dry and wet but the rainy season is shorter (from November to March) and the dry season is longer (from April to October). Sumatra is great to visit at any time of the year with many delights. Note that the northern part of Sumatra can get rain throughout the year. Therefore, if you travel to places like Medan, remember to bring with you mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites.
Best Time to Visit Java
The island of Java features with an equatorial climate which is hot, humid with stable temperatures all year round. The best time to visit Java is from June to October when Java’s weather is dry, less rain and comfortable. When it comes to the rainy season, Java experiences a high amount of rainfall between 1600mm to 2000 mm. If you travel to Java, Indonesia during the rainy season, expect downpours mainly in the afternoon. Likewise, mornings are good to do some outdoor sightseeing.
Best Time to Visit Nusa Tenggara
Nusa Tenggara weather is quite similar in comparison to other parts in Indonesia, but there is a small difference as the region often experiences droughts during the dry season and floods in the wet season.
The best time to visit Nusa Tenggara is from August to September within the dry season. From November to January are the wettest months of the year. This time is the low season as the rains will prevent you from taking some adventurous activities such as mountain climbing, cycling or rafting.
Best Time for Diving in Indonesia
Generally, diving in Indonesia is excellent all year round but you still need to check the weather of the exact spot you go for your diving trip to avoid the instant rainfall during the monsoon season. North Sulawesi, home to Bunaken National Marine Park, Komodo Island, Jara Ampats and Gili Islands, etc are the most famous destinations for divers while visiting Indonesia. Have some information about the best time for a diving trip by the island in Indonesia as below:
The Best Time to Visit Bunaken National Marine Park, North Sulawesi
From March to October is a good time for you to dive in Bunaken National Marine Park. There is a little effect on the visibility of the water from November to February due to the rainy season. However, you can totally check the weather if you have a close plan to go diving in Sulawesi during the rainy season.
The Best Time to Visit Jara Ampat
From October to April is the best time of the year to travel to Jara Ampat. During this season, the pristine and crystal clear water allows divers to observe the wonderful marine life and sheer breadth of biodiversity.
You can still travel to Jara Ampat in other seasons, but sometimes you can experience the rapid change of weather in a day. For example, you can be under the sunshine while it is raining.
The temperature in Jara Ampat remains consistently high throughout the year averaging 25 – 32 ° C with the humid condition.
The Best Time to Visit Komodo Islands
May to October is the best time to take a diving trip to Komodo Islands in Indonesia. Moreover, this season is time you can see manta rays – one of the main reasons for divers to visit Komodo. This time, the beaches are full of sunshine and there is little to no rainfall during the season. Likewise, the wind is almost nonexistent and the water is calm and clear, allowing you to discover the bottom of the sea to the fullest.
