The best time to visit Indonesia is the dry season, from May to September, for most of the islands visited: Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores and Komodo, and South Sulawesi. Rain is limited, volcanoes can be climbed in good conditions and boat crossings are safer. But the archipelago stretches over more than 5,000 km (3,100 mi): northern Sumatra and the Maluku Islands do not follow the same calendar, and a few regions are wet all year. To place Sumatra, the Maluku Islands and the other islands, see the map of Indonesia.
Near the equator, temperature varies little: what matters is rain, sea conditions, crowds and prices. Here is how to choose island by island, based on the official climate normals of stations run by the Indonesian meteorological agency (BMKG), published by the World Meteorological Organization (1991–2020, except Denpasar: 1961–1990).
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When to go to Indonesia at a glance
- Best overall period May to September (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores, Komodo, South Sulawesi)
- Best balance of weather, prices and crowds May–June and September
- Rainy season roughly November to March on Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, peaking in January–February
- Exceptions northern Sumatra (Medan, Lake Toba) is wettest from September to December; the Maluku Islands (Ambon) have their rainy season from May to August
- Temperatures about 30 to 33 °C (86 to 91 °F) in the afternoon all year on the coasts, noticeably cooler at altitude
- High season July–August and late December; domestic travel peaks at the end of Ramadan
- Bali in detail see our page on when to go to Bali
When to go to Indonesia by priority
- Best weather: May to September for Java, Bali and the eastern islands; October to March for the Maluku Islands
- Cheapest: November and February–March (outside the holidays)
- Fewest crowds: September, April and November; avoid July–August and the Lebaran period
- Events: Nyepi in Bali, usually in March (airport closed for 24 hours), Lebaran and Vesak on variable dates: check the calendar for the year
Indonesia: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: may, June, July, August, September, October
❌ Period to avoid: January, February
Climate and weather in Indonesia month by month
The table below gives the normals for Jakarta (Kemayoran station), the gateway to Java. Its pattern (rain from November to March, a drier season from June to September) is representative of Java and, more markedly, of the islands further east. The other regions are compared below.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 373 mm (14.7 in) | Medium | Medium | ❌ Peak of the rains, flooding possible |
| February | 30.8 °C (87 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 381 mm (15.0 in) | Low | Low | ❌ The wettest month in Jakarta |
| March | 32.1 °C (90 °F) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Rain easing |
| April | 32.8 °C (91 °F) | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Transition, very green landscapes |
| May | 33.2 °C (92 °F) | 25.8 °C (78 °F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Start of the dry season |
| June | 32.9 °C (91 °F) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | High | Medium → high | ✅ Dry, a good compromise |
| July | 32.7 °C (91 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | Very high | Very high | ✅ Dry, high season |
| August | 33.0 °C (91 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 52 mm (2.0 in) | Very high | Very high | ✅ The driest month |
| September | 33.4 °C (92 °F) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | High | High | ✅ Dry, crowds easing |
| October | 33.4 °C (92 °F) | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Still fine in the east |
| November | 32.8 °C (91 °F) | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Showers return |
| December | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | High (holidays) | High in late Dec. | ⚠️ Rainy, holiday prices |
Note: in the rainy season, showers fall mostly late in the day, as short, intense thunderstorms. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) warns that flash floods and landslides can occur across Indonesia: allow extra time for your journeys.
Indonesia’s two seasons: pros and cons
Dry season (May to September–October): high season
Driven by the southeast monsoon, the dry season is clear on Java and even more so further east: in Surabaya, less than 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain falls in August and September, and in Kupang (Timor) only a few millimeters from June to October. It is the ideal period for volcanoes (Bromo, Ijen, Rinjani, Kelimutu), Komodo cruises and long overland journeys.
- Pros: often clear skies, dry trails, calmer seas for crossings, good underwater visibility at most sites
- Cons: heavy crowds and high prices in July–August, especially in Bali, the Gilis and Labuan Bajo; drier landscapes in the east (Flores, Timor, Sumba)
- Our tip: May, June and September offer weather very close to summer’s, with fewer people
Rainy season (November to March–April): the green season
Rain peaks in January–February: more than 370 mm (14.6 in) a month in Jakarta, more than 380 mm (15.0 in) in January in Kupang. It is still hot, humidity is high, and the rice fields are an intense green. Dengue is among the diseases listed as prevalent in Indonesia by the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026).
- Pros: low prices outside the holidays, fewer tourists, waterfalls in full flow
- Cons: violent downpours, cut roads, volcano climbs sometimes closed (Rinjani, on Lombok, closes for part of the season), rough or canceled crossings
- Who is it for? Cultural trips (Yogyakarta, Borobudur), small budgets, or a stay in the Maluku Islands, which are then in their dry season
When to go to Indonesia by region
This is the real difficulty of a trip across the archipelago. Comparison of the official normals available:
| Month | Denpasar (Bali, 1961–1990 normals) | Jakarta (West Java) | Surabaya (East Java) | Belawan (Medan, Sumatra) | Kupang (Timor) | Ambon (Maluku) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33.0 °C (91 °F) / 345 mm (13.6 in) | 31.0 °C (88 °F) / 373 mm (14.7 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 273 mm (10.7 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 108 mm (4.3 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 386 mm (15.2 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 127 mm (5.0 in) |
| February | 33.4 °C (92 °F) / 274 mm (10.8 in) | 30.8 °C (87 °F) / 381 mm (15.0 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 251 mm (9.9 in) | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 31.0 °C (88 °F) / 347 mm (13.7 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| March | 33.6 °C (92 °F) / 234 mm (9.2 in) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) / 210 mm (8.3 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 231 mm (9.1 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 82 mm (3.2 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 234 mm (9.2 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| April | 34.4 °C (94 °F) / 88 mm (3.5 in) | 32.8 °C (91 °F) / 164 mm (6.5 in) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) / 164 mm (6.5 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 93 mm (3.7 in) | 32.7 °C (91 °F) / 65 mm (2.6 in) | 30.7 °C (87 °F) / 279 mm (11.0 in) |
| May | 33.1 °C (92 °F) / 93 mm (3.7 in) | 33.2 °C (92 °F) / 103 mm (4.1 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 102 mm (4.0 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 126 mm (5.0 in) | 32.5 °C (91 °F) / 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29.8 °C (86 °F) / 516 mm (20.3 in) |
| June | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 32.9 °C (91 °F) / 80 mm (3.1 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 66 mm (2.6 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 116 mm (4.6 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28.5 °C (83 °F) / 638 mm (25.1 in) |
| July | 30.4 °C (87 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) | 32.7 °C (91 °F) / 78 mm (3.1 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 31 mm (1.2 in) | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 123 mm (4.8 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27.5 °C (82 °F) / 602 mm (23.7 in) |
| August | 29.6 °C (85 °F) / 25 mm (1.0 in) | 33.0 °C (91 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 9 mm (0.4 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 152 mm (6.0 in) | 32.2 °C (90 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) / 401 mm (15.8 in) |
| September | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) | 33.4 °C (92 °F) / 61 mm (2.4 in) | 32.3 °C (90 °F) / 7 mm (0.3 in) | 31.0 °C (88 °F) / 189 mm (7.4 in) | 33.6 °C (92 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 241 mm (9.5 in) |
| October | 33.6 °C (92 °F) / 63 mm (2.5 in) | 33.4 °C (92 °F) / 112 mm (4.4 in) | 32.8 °C (91 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) | 30.8 °C (87 °F) / 242 mm (9.5 in) | 34.2 °C (94 °F) / 17 mm (0.7 in) | 30.3 °C (87 °F) / 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| November | 32.7 °C (91 °F) / 179 mm (7.0 in) | 32.8 °C (91 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 32.6 °C (91 °F) / 97 mm (3.8 in) | 30.7 °C (87 °F) / 192 mm (7.6 in) | 34.1 °C (93 °F) / 83 mm (3.3 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| December | 33.0 °C (91 °F) / 276 mm (10.9 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 183 mm (7.2 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 214 mm (8.4 in) | 30.5 °C (87 °F) / 188 mm (7.4 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 232 mm (9.1 in) | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 132 mm (5.2 in) |
In one table: the recommended period for each major region, month by month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Java (Yogyakarta, Bromo, Ijen) | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| Bali (when to go to Bali) | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| Lombok, Flores, Komodo (Lombok) | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| Northern Sumatra (Bukit Lawang, Lake Toba) | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| Maluku Islands (Ambon, Banda) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Java: Yogyakarta, Borobudur, Bromo and Ijen
Java follows the classic pattern, with a clearer dry season in the east: in Surabaya, the gateway to Bromo, 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain falls in August against 273 mm (10.7 in) in January. In Banyuwangi, near Ijen, the WMO normals give about 40 mm (1.6 in) a month from June to September. Best window for the volcanoes: June to September. Nights are cold at the summit of Bromo and Ijen: bring a warm jacket. Yogyakarta can be visited all year, as the temples remain accessible in the rain.
Bali
The same rhythm as eastern Java: dry from May to September (25 mm, or 1.0 in, in August in Denpasar), very wet from December to February. All the month-by-month details, Nyepi and Balinese festivals are on our page when to go to Bali.
Lombok, Flores, Komodo and the Lesser Sunda Islands
The further east you go, the longer and more marked the dry season: in Kupang, on the island of Timor, less than 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain falls a month from June to October. We have no public official normals for Labuan Bajo (Komodo); Flores lies between Bali and Timor and follows the same calendar. Best window for Komodo, Rinjani and Kelimutu: May to September. In the rainy season, cruises and crossings can be canceled in a strong sea.
Sumatra: a calendar of its own
Northern Sumatra, close to the equator, has no real dry season. In Belawan, the port of Medan, the driest months are February and March, and the peak comes in October (242 mm, or 9.5 in). For Bukit Lawang (orangutans) and Lake Toba, February to July is therefore preferable. The west coast (Padang) is very wet all year: more than 4,000 mm (157 in) a year according to the WMO normals for Minangkabau airport.
Sulawesi: Toraja country and Bunaken
Southern Sulawesi (Makassar, Tana Toraja) follows Java’s rhythm, with a dry season from May to October; we do not show its rainfall, for lack of complete published official normals. The north (Manado, Bunaken marine park) is wet all year: even the driest month, August, still gets about 120 mm (4.7 in) at Sam Ratulangi airport, against nearly 450 mm (17.7 in) in January (WMO normals). July to September is the least rainy period there.
Maluku Islands and Raja Ampat: the reversed calendar
In Ambon, the rainy season falls in the middle of the northern summer: more than 600 mm (23.6 in) in June and July, against 115 to 135 mm (4.5 to 5.3 in) from October to March. For the Maluku Islands, aim for October to March. For Raja Ampat, there are no public official normals; ask your dive center or cruise operator about sea conditions by month. Raja Ampat lies in the Papua region, where the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) says the security situation in the Highland Papua and Central Papua provinces is unpredictable and can change quickly; check the latest official advice before any plan in this region.
When to go to Indonesia depending on your plans
| Your plans | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (Java and Bali) | May to September | Yogyakarta, Bromo, Ijen, Ubud, southern Bali |
| Volcanoes and hiking | June to September | Bromo, Ijen, Rinjani, Kelimutu |
| Komodo cruise | May to September | Labuan Bajo, Padar, Rinca |
| Beach and islands | May to September | Gili, Nusa Penida, southern Lombok, Flores |
| Orangutans | February to July (northern Sumatra); dry season (Borneo) | Bukit Lawang, Tanjung Puting |
| Diving | Depends on the area: dry season for Bali, Komodo and Bunaken; ask locally for Raja Ampat | Amed, Komodo, Bunaken, Raja Ampat |
| Maluku Islands | October to March | Ambon, Banda Islands |
| Small budget | November, February–March (outside the holidays) | Java, Lombok, Flores |
| Honeymoon | May–June, September | Bali, Gili, Flores |
Festivals and periods to know
Several festivals follow lunar calendars: their dates change every year relative to our calendar.
| When | Event | Impact on travel |
|---|---|---|
| Variable (Islamic calendar) | Ramadan, then the end of Ramadan (Idul Fitri or Lebaran) | Mass return of Indonesians to their families: trains, flights and ferries full and expensive around the holiday |
| Usually in March | Nyepi, the Day of Silence in Bali | The whole island shuts down for 24 hours, Bali airport closed |
| Variable | Vesak, a Buddhist festival | Ceremony and heavy crowds at Borobudur |
| July–August | European and Australian school holidays | Prices and crowds at their highest in Bali, the Gilis and Komodo |
| Late December – early January | Year-end holidays | High tourist season despite the rains |
Indonesia month by month
Indonesia in January: The heart of the rainy season on Java, Bali and the eastern islands. A good period, however, for the Maluku Islands, and fairly dry in northern Sumatra (108 mm (4.3 in) in Belawan).
Indonesia in February: Very wet in Jakarta (381 mm (15.0 in)), quiet and inexpensive. The driest month in northern Sumatra: ideal for Bukit Lawang and Lake Toba.
Indonesia in March: Rain eases on Java and Bali. The usual month for Nyepi in Bali: check the date before booking your flights.
Indonesia in April: Transition: showers are less frequent, the countryside is very green and crowds moderate. Start of the rainy season in the Maluku Islands.
Indonesia in May: The dry season settles in from Java to Timor. One of the best months of the year for a Java–Bali–Flores trip.
Indonesia in June: Dry and a little less hot. A very good month for volcanoes and Komodo, before the peak in crowds.
Indonesia in July: Dry and sunny, in the middle of high season: book early. The wettest month in Ambon (602 mm (23.7 in)): avoid the Maluku Islands.
Indonesia in August: The driest month on Java and Bali (9 mm (0.4 in) in Surabaya, 25 mm (1.0 in) in Denpasar). Crowds and prices at their highest.
Indonesia in September: Still dry, with fewer people: one of our favorite months for Indonesia. Rain builds in northern Sumatra.
Indonesia in October: Still dry in the east (Flores, Timor), first showers in Jakarta. The wettest month in Belawan (242 mm (9.5 in)). The Maluku Islands become pleasant again.
Indonesia in November: The rains return on Java and Bali, often late in the day. Low prices, quiet islands.
Indonesia in December: Rainy across most of the archipelago, except the Maluku Islands. Heavy crowds and high prices for the holidays.
When to book your trip to Indonesia
For July–August, the year-end holidays and the end-of-Ramadan period, book your flights 4 to 6 months ahead, along with domestic flights (Bali – Labuan Bajo, Jakarta – Yogyakarta) and Komodo cruises, which are often full. In May–June, September or the rainy season, 2 to 3 months is generally enough.
Planning your trip to Indonesia
- Entry requirements: rules for visas, passport validity and online forms change regularly; see our page on the entry requirements for Indonesia. For yellow fever, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) says you need a vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. In Bali, a tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah applies to foreign tourists (UK FCDO, same source).
- Time difference: three time zones, with no daylight saving time. Java and Sumatra: UTC+7; Bali, Lombok, Flores and Sulawesi: UTC+8; Maluku and Papua: UTC+9.
- Currency: the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Carry cash outside tourist areas. Our currency converter helps you estimate your budget.
- Health: the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) lists dengue, malaria, rabies, chikungunya and Zika among the diseases prevalent in Indonesia, notes that diarrheal diseases are very common, says medicine to prevent malaria is recommended for travelers to some areas, and strongly encourages preventing mosquito bites. Rabies is present in Bali, with many street dogs and monkeys around temples (UK FCDO, GOV.UK). See a doctor or travel clinic before departure.
- Natural hazards: the UK FCDO says Indonesia regularly experiences severe weather, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. Follow the advice of local authorities and, for volcanoes, check exclusion zones before traveling.
To choose your islands and itinerary, see our Indonesia travel guide and our Bali guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Indonesia?
For Java, Bali, Lombok and Komodo, June and September are the best compromises: dry season, little rain and fewer crowds than in July–August. May is also a very good month.
When is the rainy season in Indonesia?
On Java, Bali and the eastern islands, it runs from about November to March, peaking in January–February (more than 370 mm, or 14.6 in, a month in Jakarta). In the Maluku Islands it is the reverse: rain peaks from May to August. Northern Sumatra is wettest from September to December.
Can you visit Indonesia in August?
Yes, it is the driest month on Java and Bali. It is also the busiest and most expensive: book early. Avoid the Maluku Islands, however, which are then in the middle of their rainy season.
When should you visit Indonesia to avoid the crowds?
May, June and September offer dry-season weather with fewer people than in July–August. Also avoid the end-of-Ramadan period, when Indonesians travel in large numbers.
What is the cheapest time to go to Indonesia?
The rainy season, from November to March, outside the year-end holidays, offers the lowest prices on accommodation and often on flights.
When should you visit Indonesia and Bali?
Both follow the same calendar: May to September. Bali does have its own festivals, however, such as Nyepi. See our dedicated page on the best time to visit Bali.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991–2020 climate normals (NOAA archive) for the BMKG stations of Jakarta-Kemayoran, Surabaya Juanda, Banyuwangi, Belawan, Padang Minangkabau and Manado Sam Ratulangi; Denpasar: 1961–1990 normals (BMKG, via the WMO World Weather Information Service)
- Deutscher Wetterdienst: normals for Kupang and Ambon
- Entry, health and safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Indonesia (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Indonesia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
