When to go · Month by month
Bali in August: weather, crowds, prices and what to know
August is the driest month of the year in Bali, and the busiest. Rain is almost absent, the nights are among the coolest, and the sea and trails are in good condition. But European summer vacations reach their peak: the south and Ubud are saturated, prices at their highest. You go for the weather, with bookings made very early.
- Updated on
- Verdict: crowded
- 5 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
The month at a glance
- Temperatures: 29.1 °C average high, 26.2 °C mean, 23.8 °C average low (1991–2020 normals, Ngurah Rai airport).
- Rain: 16.1 mm on average over the month, spread over 1.9 rainy days.
- Crowds: the heaviest of the year, with the peak of French and European summer vacations.
- Verdict: the best month for guaranteed dry weather, hiking and the sea; the most expensive and busiest of the year.
Should you come to Bali in August? Yes for the weather: it is the driest month, with 16.1 mm of rain over 1.9 days on average and 29.1 °C in the afternoon. But it is also the peak of visitor numbers and prices: book very early and spend part of the stay in the north or the east.
In August, the weather raises no questions; the logistics do. The best places are booked months in advance and the roads in the south are congested. Our best time to visit Bali guide places August in the year; here is how to make the most of it.
August weather, in figures
August is the driest month on record: 16.1 mm of rain over 1.9 days on average at the airport. It is also the coolest on average, at 26.2 °C, with 29.1 °C in the afternoon and 23.8 °C at night. Sunshine is not published for this month.
| Normal | July | August (this month) | September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 29.0 °C | 29.1 °C | 30.0 °C |
| Mean temperature | 26.5 °C | 26.2 °C | 26.7 °C |
| Average low | 24.1 °C | 23.8 °C | 23.8 °C |
| Rain | 29.7 mm | 16.1 mm | 40.7 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.3 | 1.9 | 2.8 |
| Sunshine | not published | not published | not published |
Days are dry and bright, with a steady wind on the coasts. Evenings are mild by the sea and cold at altitude: in Munduk or at the top of Batur, a fleece and a windbreaker are not too much. An isolated shower remains possible on the central highlands.
July received 29.7 mm over 3.3 days; September climbs back to 40.7 mm over 2.8 days, with slightly warmer afternoons (30.0 °C). August is the low point of the year for rain.
| Month | High °C | Rain mm | Days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Bali in January | 30.9 | 388.4 | 18.8 | Rainy |
| February: Bali in February | 30.9 | 298.7 | 16.5 | Rainy |
| March: Bali in March | 31.0 | 213.9 | 13.3 | Transition |
| April: Bali in April | 31.0 | 114.5 | 8.8 | Compromise |
| May: Bali in May | 30.5 | 72.8 | 6.5 | Balanced |
| June: Bali in June | 29.8 | 50.8 | 4.7 | Dry |
| July: Bali in July | 29.0 | 29.7 | 3.3 | Crowded |
| AugustThis page | 29.1 | 16.1 | 1.9 | Crowded |
| September: Bali in September | 30.0 | 40.7 | 2.8 | Dry |
| October: Bali in October | 31.0 | 67.9 | 4.8 | Favorable |
| November: Bali in November | 31.6 | 149.4 | 10.3 | Transition |
| December: Bali in December | 30.8 | 299.3 | 15.9 | Rainy |
What August changes on the ground
The sea is generally fine but the water colder around Nusa Penida. Surf on the Bukit is in full season. Many rice fields are harvested or fallow. Hikes are in their best conditions, waterfalls at their lowest flow, the roads in the south saturated.
- Swimming: good conditions; strong currents on the surf beaches. Sanur and Nusa Dua remain the calmest.
- Snorkeling and diving: good visibility in Amed and Tulamben. Around Nusa Penida, markedly colder water and the period often cited for sunfish (mola mola), with no guarantee.
- Surf: full season on the Bukit and the west coast, very crowded spots.
- Rice fields: drier landscapes in many valleys, between harvests, fallow and new plantings, depending on the subak.
- Hikes: excellent conditions for Batur, Agung with a guide and the forests of Munduk.
- Roads and waterfalls: traffic jams in the south and on the road to Ubud. Waterfalls at their lowest flow of the year, dry and easy access.
Crowds and prices in August
August is the peak of the high season: French and European summer vacations, well-known sites full in the middle of the day, accommodation fully booked long in advance. Prices are at the top of the annual range, especially in Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Ubud.
Book accommodation, drivers and boat crossings as soon as the dates are set. The east, Amed and Sidemen, and the north, around Munduk, remain less busy and less expensive. In Nusa Penida, take the first morning crossing to visit the cliffs before the groups.
The Bali travel budget guide details what drives up the bill in high season; the budget calculator lets you cost your stay.
August events
On August 17, Indonesia celebrates its independence day: flags, parades and village games all over the island. The kite season continues around Sanur. Galungan and Kuningan fall in August in some years, according to the Balinese calendar.
The national holiday is a public holiday: government offices closed, official ceremonies in the morning, neighborhood festivities in the afternoon. Temple ceremonies continue all year round; the customs to respect are in Balinese temples and culture.
What to do in Bali in August
Make the most of the driest weather for what requires stable conditions: walks and lakes in Munduk, cliffs and diving in Nusa Penida, climbing Batur or Agung. Avoid peak hours at the well-known sites.
- Munduk: forest walks, Lakes Bratan and Tamblingan, accessible waterfalls and cool nights, far from the crowds of the south. See Munduk.
- Nusa Penida: Kelingking cliffs at dawn, diving with mantas, the period often cited for sunfish. See Nusa Penida.
- Batur or Agung: night climb, with the best chances of a view of the year.
- Sanur: the Padang Galak kites, a calm sea for families.
Who August is the right month for
August suits families tied to school vacations, hikers, divers and surfers. It suits small budgets, travelers who book late and those who want a calm and very green island less well.
Families
Ideal weather and school vacations: it is often the only possible window. Book very early and prefer Sanur, the east or the north.
Surfers
Regular swells on the Bukit, but lots of people in the water. Surf early.
Divers
A very good period for Nusa Penida and sunfish, with a thick wetsuit. Amed remains calmer.
Hikers
Conditions among the best of the year. A warm layer is essential at altitude.
Small budgets
The most expensive month. The east, the north and homestays keep the bill down.
Honeymoon
Reliable weather, but crowds and prices at their maximum. A secluded villa in Munduk or Amed is better than a place in the south.
The 2-week itinerary combines the interior and Nusa Penida; the crossing is detailed in Sanur → Nusa Penida. The packing list reminds you of the warm layer for the north.
Frequently asked questions
Should you come to Bali in August?
Yes if the weather comes first and you book early. August is the driest month, but also the busiest and most expensive. The north and the east let you avoid the worst of the crowds.
What is the weather like in Bali in August?
Dry and a little cooler: 29.1 °C average high, 23.8 °C average low, 16.1 mm of rain over 1.9 days on average at the airport, the lowest total of the year.
Is August the rainy season in Bali?
No, August is the driest month of the dry season, which runs from about April to October.
Can you see sunfish in Nusa Penida in August?
August is part of the period often cited for mola mola around Nusa Penida, when the water cools. Sightings are never guaranteed; go through a recognized dive center.
Where to stay in Bali in August?
Munduk and the east for calm, Nusa Penida for diving, Sanur with family. Book months in advance for Uluwatu, Canggu and Ubud.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 17, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
