This page covers a single month. To compare the whole year, see our guide to the best time to visit Bali.
Bali in August has the best weather of the year: the driest month (25 mm, 1.0 in, of rain in Denpasar), around 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon and 22.5 °C (73 °F) at night. Verdict: ideal for the climate, but also the peak for crowds and prices. Book early and get out of the south of the island.
August falls in the middle of the dry season, driven by the south-east monsoon. European and Australian school holidays make July and August the most in-demand period: more expensive flights, well-located hotels full early, and traffic jams in the south (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta). With good preparation, the month is still excellent.
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Bali in August: key facts
- Temperature: average maximum of 29.6 °C (85 °F) and minimum of 22.5 °C (73 °F) in Denpasar
- Rain: 25 mm (1.0 in) over 4 days on average, the lowest of the year
- Altitude: cool nights in Ubud, Munduk and on Mount Batur
- Sea: steady swell on the west coast (surf), calmer at Sanur and Nusa Dua
- Crowds and prices: very high
- Of note: 17 August, Indonesian Independence Day
What is the weather like in Bali in August?
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 30.4 °C (87 °F) | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | ✅ Dry, high season |
| August | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 25 mm (1.0 in) | ✅ The driest month |
| September | 31.4 °C (89 °F) | 22.9 °C (73 °F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | ✅ Dry, fewer crowds |
These normals apply to the south coast, where most travellers stay. Ubud, at around 200 m (656 ft) above sea level, is a little cooler and wetter, with possible showers even in the dry season. In the mountains (Kintamani, Munduk, Bedugul), nights are cool and it is cold at the summit of Mount Batur before dawn.
Things to do in Bali in August
- Sunrise on Mount Batur: the dry season gives the best chance of clear skies; bring a warm jacket.
- Diving and snorkelling at Amed, Tulamben, Nusa Penida or Menjangan, with good visibility.
- Surfing for experienced surfers on the west coast and the Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu, Padang Padang).
- The neighbouring islands (Nusa Penida, Lombok, the Gilis), with crossings generally calmer than in the rainy season.
- Temples (Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Besakih) early in the morning, before the tour groups.
- Hikes through the rice terraces of Sidemen or Jatiluwih and around Munduk.
To avoid the crowds: visit the best-known sites at opening time, stay in the east or north (Sidemen, Amed, Munduk) rather than in the south, and allow generous margins for car journeys.
Events in Bali in August
17 August, Indonesian Independence Day, is marked by ceremonies and events in the villages. Balinese festivals (Galungan, Kuningan, temple anniversaries) follow the 210-day Pawukon calendar: their dates change every year, so check them with the tourist office. Nyepi, the Day of Silence, usually falls in March and does not affect August.
Crowds and prices in August
This is peak season. Book your flights 4 to 6 months ahead to keep the best schedules. Villas and well-located hotels in Uluwatu, Canggu or Ubud also fill up early.
What to pack for Bali in August
- Light, breathable clothing
- A warm jacket for Mount Batur and evenings at altitude
- A sarong and an outfit covering shoulders and knees for temples
- Sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent
- Walking shoes for the volcanoes and rice terraces
Entry, health and safety: According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026), US citizens need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival with at least two blank pages; tourists can get a visa on arrival or apply in advance for an electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA), which costs IDR 500,000, is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for 30 days. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026), UK citizens must have a visa: a 30-day, single-entry visa on arrival costs IDR 500,000 and can be extended once for 30 days; the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival with at least 2 blank pages. You must also complete the free All Indonesia arrival card within 72 hours of arrival, and a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (about £8) applies to all foreign tourists arriving in Bali (GOV.UK). On health, GOV.UK lists dengue among the health risks, notes that rabies exists in Bali (street dogs, monkeys around temples) and that tap water is not safe to drink. Details are on our page on entry requirements for Indonesia; rules change often, so check them again before you travel.
Suggested itinerary: two weeks in Bali in August
In high season, it is better to limit hotel changes and group visits by area, to spend less time in the traffic of the south.
- Days 1-4: Ubud and around (Tegallalang rice terraces, temples, craft workshops)
- Days 5-6: Sidemen, its rice terraces and village life, quieter than Ubud
- Days 7-8: Amed and Tulamben for diving or snorkelling, with a sunrise on Mount Batur on the way from the north-east
- Days 9-10: Munduk and the Bedugul lakes, in the cool
- Days 11-14: the Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu) or Sanur for the beach, with an excursion to Nusa Penida
Where to stay in Bali in August
The south (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta) concentrates the choice but also the traffic. Sanur and Nusa Dua are calmer, with a reef-protected sea, handy for families. Uluwatu suits surfers and cliff lovers. Ubud is the base for culture, and the east (Sidemen, Amed) or north (Munduk) for escaping the crowds. In August, book the most popular places several months ahead.
Normals or forecasts: how to read these figures
The temperatures and rainfall totals on this page are climate normals: averages calculated over several decades by official weather services. They show what is usual for the month, not the weather you will get during your stay. Any given year can be warmer, cooler, drier or wetter, and a month’s rain can fall on only a few days. To prepare your trip, use the normals to choose the period and the region; in the week before departure, check the national weather service’s forecasts and adapt your plans day by day, keeping fallback activities for less favourable days.
If August does not suit you
September offers almost identical weather (47 mm, 1.9 in) with fewer people: see Bali in September. May and June are still in the dry season (93 and 53 mm, 3.7 and 2.1 in) and are cheaper. At the end of the dry season: Bali in October.
Other dry destinations in August: Lombok, Mauritius in August (southern winter, whales) or Zanzibar. All our ideas: where to go in August. To plan the trip: our Bali travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Bali in August?
Dry and sunny: it is the driest month (25 mm, 1.0 in, in Denpasar), with around 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon and 22.5 °C (73 °F) at night on the coast.
Should you avoid Bali in August?
Not for the weather, which is ideal. But it is the peak for crowds and prices: book early, or choose September, which is just as dry and less busy.
Does it rain in Bali in August?
Very little on the coast. Showers are still possible in Ubud and in the mountains.
Where should you stay in Bali in August to avoid the crowds?
In the east (Sidemen, Amed) or the north (Munduk), rather than in the busy south.
Are there festivals in Bali in August?
On 17 August, Indonesian Independence Day. Balinese festivals follow a 210-day calendar: check the dates for your stay.
Our sources
- 1961-1990 normals for the Denpasar station published by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) on the WMO World Weather Information Service
- Entry, health and safety information read on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Indonesia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Indonesia (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.