Indonesia, Asia

Bali in October

The dry season winds down. Early month usually still behaves; late month starts feeling tropical again.

GoodWarming and more humid, highs near 88F (31C), occasional storms

Temple guardian statue at Tanah Lot, Bali — BaliPhoto: Anandajoti, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

October is a good month to visit Bali. The dry season winds down. Early month usually still behaves; late month starts feeling tropical again.

Weather: Warming and more humid, highs near 88F (31C), occasional storms
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What October is like in Bali

October is when the dry season winds down. Highs near 88F (31C) and the air grows more humid, with occasional storms, especially late in the month. Early October usually still behaves like dry season. Crowds and prices are moderate, and diving on the east coast is still in its calm window.

It suits travelers looking for good value with mostly good weather. Go early in the month for beach and boat trips. If you want sure-fire dry days, choose September instead. If you're fine with some afternoon rain, October is a fair compromise.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Bali this month.

Early-month dry weather

The first weeks of October usually feel like dry season. Plan boat trips and treks for this stretch.

East-coast diving

Tulamben and Amed stay calm through October. It is a good month for a first dive course.

Cooking classes in Ubud

When an afternoon storm comes, a market visit and cooking class is a great way to spend it.

What to pack for October

A light rain jacket
Reef-safe sunscreen
Insect repellent
A sarong for temples

Our timing tip

Go in the first half of October, and schedule outdoor plans for mornings as afternoon storms become more common.

Book Bali for October.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bali
Opens a hotel search for Bali in October, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for October
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Bali
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Bali
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bali for October. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in October

Galungan and Kuningan

Dates shift on the 210-day Balinese calendar, occurring roughly twice a year

The island's great homecoming festival: streets line with penjor bamboo poles and temples fill. Dates move; if your trip coincides, you are lucky.

Things to do in Bali

Full guide

Uluwatu Temple at sunset

Clifftop temple, crashing surf, and the nightly kecak fire dance. Hold your sunglasses; the resident macaques are professional thieves.

Tickets and tours →

Ubud's rice terraces

Tegalalang is the famous one and crowded by 9am; the Campuhan Ridge walk and Sidemen valley deliver the same green with a fraction of the traffic.

Tickets and tours →

Nusa Penida day trip

The Kelingking clifftop view and manta-ray snorkeling. Fast boats run from Sanur; seas are calmest in the dry season.

Tickets and tours →

Mount Batur sunrise trek

A pre-dawn volcano hike rewarded with sunrise above the clouds. Dry season offers the most reliable views.

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Tirta Empul water temple

Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals in the spring-fed pools. Visitors may respectfully join; sarongs are provided.

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Canggu to Seminyak beach scene

Surf schools, beach bars, and Bali's famous sunsets. Wet season brings seasonal debris to these west-facing beaches; dry season is postcard clean.

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Beat the crowds

Split your stay: base in Ubud or the east (Sidemen, Amed) for the quiet half, then take the southern beaches in a shorter dose. Trying to day-trip everything from one southern base means hours in traffic.
Do famous photo spots (Tegalalang, Lempuyang's gates, Kelingking) at sunrise; by mid morning in high season the lines rival theme parks.
Travel in May, June, or September for peak-quality weather without July and August density.
Traffic is Bali's real crowd. Plan one area per day, use ride-hailing apps where allowed, and never schedule a tight airport run in evening traffic from Ubud or Canggu.

Know before you go

Nyepi shuts the entire island for 24 hours, usually in March with the date shifting yearly: the airport closes, streets empty by law, and hotels keep guests inside with lights low. Book flights around it deliberately.
Wet season (roughly November through March) closures are practical, not official: fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis cancel in rough seas, sunrise treks lose their views, and some dive operations pause after storms.
The Christmas to New Year fortnight is a full-price, full-island peak despite falling in the rainy season. Book it like high season.
Galungan and Kuningan (dates shift on the 210-day calendar) close some family shops and warungs while ceremonies take precedence; tourist infrastructure largely carries on.