Is October a Good Time to Visit Bali?
There is a specific window in the Bali calendar that most travellers overlook.
Not because it is bad. Because it is not August.
October sits at the tail end of the dry season, just before the rains arrive in earnest. The school holidays are over. The peak season crowds have thinned. The prices have eased. And the weather in Bali in October is still warm, sunny, and entirely usable for almost everything the island has to offer.
If you are planning a trip and October is one of your options, this guide tells you exactly what to expect from the weather in Bali in October, which activities work best, what to pack, and why this underrated month might be the right time to go.
Bali Weather in October at a Glance
Temperature: 24°C to 31°C
Rainfall: Around 80 to 100mm
Rainy days: Approximately 6 days
Sunshine: 8 to 9 hours daily
Sea temperature: 27°C to 28°C
Crowds: Moderate
Best for: Beaches, hiking, diving, cultural experiences, luxury stays
What Is the Weather Like in Bali in October
October in Bali is warm, dry for most of the month, and genuinely excellent for outdoor activities. Temperatures range from around 24 degrees Celsius at night to 31 degrees during the day. The sea temperature sits at about 27 to 28 degrees, which is comfortable for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports without feeling like a warm bath.
Sunshine averages around 8 to 9 hours per day. That is the same level as the peak dry season months of July and August, which means the light is good, the mornings are clear, and outdoor plans are rarely disrupted.
Humidity sits at around 79 to 80 per cent across the month, which is typical for a tropical island. It is manageable with light breathable clothing and does not significantly affect the comfort of most activities.
The one thing to understand about the weather in Bali in October is its transitional character. The first three weeks of the month are firmly part of the dry season and behave accordingly. The final week is when the island starts to shift. Light afternoon showers begin to appear. The air becomes a little heavier. The greenery deepens. It is the very beginning of the wet season in November, but at this stage, the change is subtle rather than disruptive.
Rainfall for the entire month averages around 80-100mm, spread across roughly 6 rainy days. Most of that rain falls in the final week and typically arrives in short afternoon bursts rather than sustained all-day downpours. For comparison, January, the wettest month, sees around 300-350mm. The weather in Bali in October is a long way from that.
How Much Rain Falls in October in Bali
Around 80 to 100mm across the month, with approximately 6 days of rainfall on average.
To put that in context, the driest months in Bali are July and August, which see around 8-17mm of rainfall. October sits between the dry and wet seasons, closer to the dry end of the spectrum, with the first signs of change appearing toward the month’s end.
The rain that does arrive in October is almost always the tropical kind: heavy, brief, and then gone. It rarely lasts more than an hour and tends to come in the afternoon or evening rather than the morning. For most practical purposes, a morning at a temple, a rice paddy walk, a sunrise hike up Mount Batur, or a day at the beach is completely unaffected by the weather in Bali in October.
Is It a Good Time to Visit Bali in October
October is one of the better months to visit Bali, particularly for a certain kind of traveller.
The case for October is straightforward. The weather in Bali in October is still excellent for most of the month. The island is noticeably quieter than in July and August, when international visitor numbers peak. Flights and accommodation are cheaper. The best resorts and villas have availability. And the island itself, beginning to green up in anticipation of the rains, looks extraordinary.
The case against October is limited to visitors who need guaranteed sunshine every single day and have specific outdoor events that cannot tolerate any weather uncertainty. For those planning beach weddings or outdoor ceremonies on a fixed date in the last week of October, there is a small but real chance of afternoon rain.
For everyone else, October is a very good month for your trip. The best time to visit Bali guide covers the complete picture for a good month.
It is worth noting what October is not. It is not the rainiest month in Bali. It is not the cheapest month in Bali. And it is not the worst time to visit Bali. All three of those titles belong to the peak wet season months of December and January, when rainfall is highest, prices spike around Christmas and New Year, and the weather is at its most unpredictable.
When Is the Worst Time to Go to Bali
The worst time to visit Bali depends on your priorities, but if forced to choose a single period, most experienced travellers point to late December through late January.
This window combines the year’s highest rainfall with the highest prices. The Christmas and New Year period drives international visitor numbers back up to peak season levels despite the wet weather. December sees around 122mm of rainfall on average, and January is the wettest month at around 300-350mm. The afternoons are frequently disrupted by heavy rain, and the humidity is at its highest.
The other period worth noting is July and August. Not because the weather is bad, it is in fact the best weather of the year, but because the crowds and prices are at their maximum. If you find busy temples, fully booked restaurants, and premium accommodation rates unpleasant, July and August are best avoided, even though the skies are clear.
October sits comfortably between both extremes. Better value than July and August, better weather than December and January.
What Is the Rainiest Month in Bali
January is the rainiest month in Bali, with average rainfall of around 300-350mm and frequent heavy afternoon downpours throughout the month. February is the second wettest at around 250 to 300mm, followed by March at around 200 to 250mm.
The full wet season runs from November through April. Within that window, the pattern is roughly as follows.
November begins the transition at around 73mm. December climbs sharply to around 122mm. January is the wettest month of the year. February remains very wet. March begins to ease. April is significantly drier at around 24mm, making it the best month of the wet season for anyone who wants lush scenery without the full weight of the rains.
October, with around 80-100mm across the entire month, sits comfortably outside the genuinely rainy months and is better classified as a transitional month than a wet-season month.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Go to Bali
The cheapest months to visit Bali are generally February, March, and the shoulder periods of November and early December, when visitor numbers are at their lowest, and both flights and accommodation reflect the reduced demand.
October sits in an interesting middle position. It is cheaper than the peak dry season months of July and August, and cheaper than the Christmas and New Year period. But it is not as cheap as February or March, because the good weather keeps demand reasonably strong.
For visitors who want the best combination of good weather and reasonable prices, October and May are widely regarded as the two sweetest spots in the Bali calendar. Both offer the dry-season experience without the peak-season premium.
Bali in October by Region
Rainfall and conditions vary across the island in October, and knowing the differences helps with planning.
Ubud and central Bali tend to receive slightly more rainfall than the coast during the transitional period at the end of October. The elevation and jungle environment mean afternoon showers can be more frequent here than in the south. However, Ubud’s mornings in October are consistently clear and beautiful, and the start of the greening process makes the rice paddies and valley views even more dramatic than in the dry season.
South Bali, covering Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu, sits slightly drier than Ubud in October. The coastal areas benefit from sea breezes that moderate both temperature and humidity. Beach days are largely reliable across the month.
East Bali, including Amed and Candidasa, is one of the driest parts of the island thanks to the rain shadow created by Mount Agung. October here is very dry and calm, making it an excellent month for snorkelling, diving, and exploring the quieter eastern coast.
North Bali, including Munduk and Bedugul, tends to see the transitional rain arrive a little earlier. The mountain landscapes are extraordinary in October, but pack accordingly.
What to Do in Bali in October
October’s weather makes it well-suited to almost every activity the island offers. The conditions are particularly good for the following.
Hiking and volcano visits
October is one of the best months of the year for hiking Mount Batur. The skies are clear, the temperature on the mountain is cool but manageable, and the summit views are unobstructed. The sunrise hike is a consistently excellent experience at this time of year. Mount Agung treks are also possible for experienced hikers. The dry conditions underfoot make both routes safer and more comfortable than the wet season alternatives.
Nusa Penida and the mola-mola season
October is one of the best months of the year to visit Nusa Penida, the island off the southeast coast of Bali. The mola-mola, the extraordinary ocean sunfish that can grow to over three metres in length, is most commonly seen at diving sites around Nusa Penida between July and October. The end of October marks the tail end of this window, making it worth planning the dive trip early in the month to maximise the chances.
Rice paddy walks and cultural experiences
The rice paddies around Ubud are at their most interesting in October. The fields are planted and beginning to fill with the deep green that the approaching rains encourage. The Tegallalang rice terraces, the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and the paddy trails around the resort are all at their most visually rewarding.
Surfing
October offers good surf conditions on Bali’s west coast, with consistent swells at Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Canggu. Sea temperatures of 27 to 28 degrees mean no wetsuit is required.
Temple visits and cultural exploration
October is one of the quieter months for the island’s most popular temples. Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Besakih, and Goa Gajah are all easier to explore and more atmospheric without the July and August crowds. Mornings are reliably clear for photography and early visits.
October events and festivals in Bali
Bali’s cultural calendar runs on the 210-day Pawukon cycle rather than the standard Gregorian calendar, which means specific ceremonies and temple festivals shift each year. For exact dates of Balinese public holidays, temple odalan celebrations, and traditional ceremonies that fall in October 2026, the Bali public holidays and traditional calendar guide has the complete listing.
What to Pack for Bali in October
October packing is uncomplicated. The island is warm and mostly dry, so the wardrobe is the same as on any tropical holiday, with one or two small additions.
Light breathable clothing for daytime is essential. Cotton and linen work well. Avoid synthetic fabrics that trap heat. In the evenings, the temperature is comfortable, and a light layer is occasionally worth having, particularly in Ubud, where the elevation makes nights slightly cooler than on the coast.
Sun protection is non-negotiable. October has the same UV index as the rest of the dry season. Factor 50 sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses are worth packing regardless of plans.
A compact waterproof jacket or poncho is a sensible addition, particularly if your trip extends into the last week of October. The rain, when it arrives in October, is warm and brief, but having something to put on makes the difference between a minor inconvenience and a disrupted afternoon.
Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with grip are worth packing for temple visits, rice paddy walks, and market exploration. Flip-flops are useful around pools and beaches but inadequate for Ubud’s terrain.
Is Bali Safe to Visit in October
Yes. October presents no specific safety concerns beyond those present year-round. The island is generally safe for tourists throughout the year. The main considerations in October are the same practical points that apply at any time.
Tap water in Bali is not safe to drink, regardless of the season. Use bottled or filtered water throughout your stay. At Viceroy Bali, the tap water in every villa is filtered and safe to drink straight from the tap.
Mosquito activity begins to increase as October progresses, and the first rains arrive. Dengue fever cases in Bali rise during the wet season, and the end of October marks the beginning of that period. Using insect repellent in the evenings, wearing long sleeves in garden and rural settings, and ensuring that villa accommodation has screened windows or air conditioning, all meaningfully reduce the risk.
Road safety is worth noting for anyone planning to use scooters. Bali’s roads are narrow, often steep, and can become slippery with the first rains of the season. If you are not an experienced rider, the safest option is always a private driver or a ride-hailing app.
For a complete guide to safety considerations in Bali across all areas, including food, transport, scams, and natural hazards, the Bali safe guide covers everything in full.
October at Viceroy Bali
October is one of our quieter months at the resort and one of the better months to stay.
The valley views from the villas in October have a quality that peak season cannot quite replicate. The surrounding rice paddies are newly planted and a deep, vivid green. The mornings are clear and still. The mist that sometimes fills the valley floor in the early hours, before burning off by mid-morning, is something guests consistently mention as one of the most memorable things they witnessed during their stay.
The resort’s forty private pool villas each face that valley. Every pool is heated. October’s temperatures are warm enough that the pool is comfortable from sunrise onwards without needing the heating for more than ten minutes in the morning, but the heating is there. The mornings in October at Viceroy Bali are among the finest on the island.
Akoya Spa is generally less in demand in October than during peak season, making it easier to secure preferred time slots for treatments such as Balinese massage and full spa days. The spa’s limited number of treatment rooms, three single and double suites, helps maintain a sense of privacy and exclusivity.
Apéritif Restaurant, our fine dining experience, and CasCades Restaurant both serve their full menus throughout October. Reservations at Apéritif are easier to secure in October than in July and August, when the demand peaks significantly.
The guest service team can arrange the full programme of October activities, from Mount Batur sunrise hikes and Nusa Penida dive trips to temple tours, rice paddy walks, Balinese cooking classes, and helicopter excursions from the resort’s private helipad.
Plan Your October Stay at Viceroy Bali
October is a genuinely excellent month to visit Bali. The weather holds. The island is quieter. The prices are more reasonable than in the peak months. And Viceroy Bali in October has an availability and an atmosphere that peak season simply cannot match.
If you are considering an October trip and want to discuss villa categories, experiences, or what we can arrange for your stay, our guest service team will personally answer every enquiry.
Get in touch with us via res@viceroybali.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good time to visit Bali in October?
Yes. October is one of the better months to visit Bali. The dry season holds for most of the month; temperatures are warm and comfortable, sunshine averages around 8 to 9 hours per day, and the island is significantly quieter and more affordable than the peak months of July and August. The last week of October sees the first light showers of the transitional period, but these are brief and rarely disruptive.
How much rain falls in October in Bali?
Around 80 to 100mm across the month, spread over approximately 6 rainy days on average. Most of this rain falls in the final week of October and arrives in short afternoon bursts rather than sustained all-day rainfall. The first three weeks of October are reliably dry.
When is the worst time to go to Bali?
Late December through January is widely considered the most challenging period. Rainfall peaks at 300 to 350mm in January, prices spike around Christmas and New Year despite the wet weather, and the afternoons are frequently disrupted. July and August bring the best weather of the year, but the largest crowds and highest prices.
What is the rainiest month in Bali?
January is the rainiest month in Bali, with an average rainfall of around 300 to 350mm. February is the second wettest. The full wet season runs from November through April, with the heaviest rains concentrated in December to February.
What is the cheapest month to go to Bali?
February and March are generally the cheapest months, as visitor numbers are at their lowest and both flights and accommodation prices reflect the reduced demand. October offers a strong middle ground: cheaper than peak season but with significantly better weather than the cheapest months.
Is October part of the dry season in Bali?
For most of the month, yes. The first three weeks of October are firmly within Bali’s dry season. The final week marks the beginning of the transitional period as the wet season approaches. October is much closer in character to the dry season than to the wet season.
What is the weather like in Ubud, Bali, in October?
Ubud in October shares the same general character as the rest of the island, but with slightly cooler temperatures due to its elevation and slightly more frequent afternoon showers in the final week of the month. Mornings are consistently clear and beautiful. The valley views and rice paddy scenery are at their most dramatic as the landscape begins its transition to the lush green of the wet season.
