When is it the best time to travel in Indonesia?

February sees a continuation of the rainy season on the island of Java; the west side and Jakarta are still vulnerable to flooding, while Surabaya and East Java get slightly less rainfall. Skies are overcast, and temperatures hover around 27°C.

Bali’s rainy season continues in February. Temperatures are around 26°C, so expect hot, humid days interrupted by heavy downpours. The seas are rough, so snorkelling and diving conditions are not ideal in the West Bali National Park.

In February, Flores, Lombok and the Gili Islands experience weather similar to January, with temperatures around 26°C. Regular rain is to be expected, though not as heavy as that on Bali. There is a unique Pasola festival in Sumba, which makes a visit worthwhile, despite the rainfall.

The island of Java is still fairly wet in March, though sunshine becomes more frequent and the rain falls off towards the end of the month. Temperatures begin to rise (averaging around 28°C) and can reach 31°C by the end of March.

In Bali you can expect hot temperatures and rainfall throughout the month, with temperatures around 27°C. Sharp showers in the afternoons do little to lessen humidity, so it’s good to have a swimming pool available. Temperatures are a little more temperate inland in Ubud.

In Flores, and Lombok and the Gili Islands, March marks the end of the rainy season, with less and less rain as we draw towards April. It may be overcast during the day, but temperatures are high, around 29°C, maybe reaching 31°C by the end of the month. The island of Lombok has particularly high humidity levels, reaching up to 85%, though in Sumba there is a chance of a light breeze to make things more comfortable.

April ushers in the beginning of the dry season in Java, with overcast skies giving way to sunshine. After months of rain, the whole island is lush and verdant, and the green rice paddies make trips through the countryside especially picturesque. Temperatures average around 29°C, possible reaching as high as 32-33°C, which can make the cities of Surabaya and Jakarta feel close and sticky.

Drier weather also returns to the island of Bali. Towards the end of the month, there is less and less a chance of rainfall. The coast is less windy, and temperatures approach the yearly peak, at around 28°C. Conditions for diving on Bali’s east coast, and in the West Bali National Park, are very favourable in April.

The Nusa Tenggara region, including Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores, also sees a reduction in rainfall. Days are typically dry and sunny, with temperatures hovering around 27-28°C, possibly reaching 31°C or 32°C. Snorkelling and diving conditions off the Gili Islands are ideal, with water temperatures in the region of 29°C. The low level of rain makes for excellent trekking conditions on Lombok’s Mt Rinjani, though the higher altitude makes for cooler evenings so it’s important to dress appropriately.

The dry season is well under way in Java in May. Occasional afternoon showers can occur, as in all tropical regions, but usually you will have dry, sunny, hot days, with temperatures hovering around 30°C. If you plan to climb Mt Bromo and visit the Ijen Plateau, the higher altitude will mean cooler temperatures, so it’s a good idea to pack a light jumper. All in all, May is a great month to visit Java. There are no major holidays, so there aren’t too many visitors in the tourist centres of Borobodur and Yogyakarta.

Temperatures in Bali reach their peak in May, averaging around 29°C. With sunny, dry days, conditions are ideal for diving and mountain climbing. There isn’t yet a high number of visitors to the popular tourist destinations, and some good hotel bargains can be found.

In Lombok and the Gili Islands, and Flores, including Labuhan Bajo and Maumere, you can expect blue skies and dry, sunny weather, with hardly any rainfall. Temperatures average around 28°C. Diving conditions off the Gili Islands and the coast of Lombok are excellent, as are trekking conditions on Mt Rinjani in Lombok.

Visitors start pouring into Java in June, as Indonesia moves headlong towards its high season. There is plenty of sunshine, and the occasional afternoon shower is quite refreshing. Temperatures average around 30°C, but the mountainous region in the east of the island are a little cooler, making for excellent trekking conditions in Ijen and Bromo. July and August are the peak months for visitor numbers, so June is a great time to visit Java if you want to avoid the crowds.

June is a perfect month for a visit to Bali – clear skies, sunshine, and temperatures around 27°C. It isn’t yet high season, so visitor numbers have not reached their peak, and Lovina Beach and restaurants will be less crowded, and it’s possible to find some good hotel bargain deals. Towards the end of the month a sea breeze provides fresh air and slightly cooler temperatures in the evenings.

In the Nusa Tenggara region, including Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores, days are warm with pleasant 25-27°C temperatures and relatively low humidity, making this the ideal time for a visit. There are excellent diving conditions off the coast of the Gili Islands and trekking on Mt. Rinjani continues to be a great option.

Dry, sunny days are the order of the day throughout the island of Java in the month of July. Temperatures average around 30°C and can edge towards 33°C on some days. Visitors start flooding to Java to enjoy the ideal weather conditions. In main tourist destinations, like Yogyakarta, it’s a good idea to book accommodation early, as popular hotels and resorts fill up quickly at this time of year. If you plan to climb Mt. Bromo to enjoy sunrise, the Ijen Plateau is likely to be quite crowded. The same applies to Borobudur at sunset.

Bali sees the onset of the dry season. On average, Bali sees only four days of rain in July. So, you can expect blue skies and warm, sunny conditions, with temperatures around 27°C. Diving conditions off nearby Menjangan Island, and the east coast of Bali, are excellent. The perfect weather coincides with the European summer holiday season, so this is a very popular time to visit Bali. The beach hotels are busy, so it’s a good idea to book early to avoid disappointment.

Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores are mainly dry in July, with an average of only five days of rain. Temperatures average around 25-27°C, but can reach as high as 31°C. This is one of the best months of the year for a visit to this region.

Peak season continues in Java in August, and it’s a good idea to book your hotel well in advance if you plan to visit at this time. This is one of the driest months for Java. Temperatures are high, averaging around 30°C, and humidity is slightly lower than usual, so you will feel more comfortable in the cities of Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

Bali sees on average 10 hours of sunshine each day in August. Temperatures hover around 27°C. Beach conditions are ideal, and popular resorts are especially busy, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. Temperatures are slightly cooler in Central Bali around Ubud and Munduk.

The good weather continues across Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores in August. This month is particularly dry and you will enjoy blue skies and clear sunshine. Humidity is low and rain is unlikely. Temperatures average around a comfortable 26-27°C.

September is one of Java’s driest, hottest months, and at the beginning of the month the number of visitors is still high. The visitor numbers start to drop as the end of the month approaches, so this is a good time to visit Java if you want to enjoy the good weather without too many crowds, especially at popular tourist destinations such as Yogyakarta and Borobudur. Temperatures remain high, and, particularly in Jakarta, peaks of 33-34°C can be reached, though humidity is not too high.

Although the dry season is drawing to a close in Bali, September is still largely dry with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Temperatures remain high at around 27°C. Rainfall is likely to be encountered as the month draws to a close. Fewer people visit in September, so the popular south coast beaches and temples are less crowded. All in all, September is not a bad month for a visit to Bali.

In Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores, September is another dry month, with clear skies and plenty of sun. Near the end of the month, temperatures start to creep up towards 31°C. Snorkelling and diving conditions remain excellent, with water temperatures averaging around 27°C.

Java enjoys another dry, hot month in October. Conditions are not much different than in September, with temperatures reaching highs of 33°C in daytime, but cooler at a warm 24°C during the night. This is the last month to visit Mt. Bromo or Mt. Ijen, before the onset of the rainy season.

Although some rainfall is to be expected, October remains a good month for a visit to Bali. It rains only an average of eight days during the month, and then it’s short, sharp tropical showers which are quite refreshing. Temperatures remain high, averaging around 27°C. Diving is still possible around Menjangan and the West Bali National Park, though conditions are less favourable than in previous months.

October sees a continuation of sunny, dry conditions in Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores, though, as the month progresses, those occasional afternoon rainfalls tend to get heavier. Humidity is at its lowest level of the year, but temperatures begin to creep up, averaging around 28°C. This is the last month, before the arrival of the rainy season, for a visit to Mt. Rinjani, or for diving off the Gili Islands or the coast of Lombok.

In November, with the dry season reaching its end, Java becomes cloudy and overcast with more rain and the likelihood of thunderstorms, especially towards the end of the month. Humidity levels creep up, and temperatures remain high at around 30°C.

The rainy season has arrived in Bali, though there is still plenty of sunshine and temperatures remain high, at around 27°C. Trekking in the mountains is not recommended at this time of year. Rainfall increases as December approaches.

November is likely to be the wettest month of the year in Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores. Roads are likely to become flooded, especially in remoter areas. Inter-island ferry services can suffer disruption. Temperatures continue an upward curve, averaging around 28-29°C, though they can reach a high of 32-33°C during daytime, and rarely fall below 23°C at night.

In December, the wet season is well entrenched in Java. Expect heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, particularly in Jakarta, which can suffer flooding. There is slightly less rain in Surabaya and East Java, but you can still reckon with heavy downpours. Temperatures drop slightly to an average of around 27°C.

The same picture applies to Bali, where the rainy season is in full swing, though there are frequent sunny spells between downpours. Temperatures average around 27°C. The south coast beaches can be very windy, with rough seas. In spite of this, Christmas is a busy time for visits to Bali, and there can be a real air of celebration at this time.

Lombok, the Gili Islands and Flores are also wet in December, although there are prolonged periods of sunshine between heavy downpours of rain. Temperatures hover around 28-29°C, but can reach a high of 32°C. The island of Lombok sees especially high humidity levels, reaching up to 85%. There is a chance of a light breeze on Sumba, making things a little more comfortable.