Best Time to Visit Indonesia: Month-by-Month Travel Guide (2025)
Indonesia is a stunning archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, offering diverse landscapes, cultures, and climates. But when is the best time to visit Indonesia?
👉 Quick Answer:
The best time to visit Indonesia is during the dry season: May to September, when the weather is sunny, less humid, and perfect for outdoor adventures. However, shoulder months like April and October can offer great value with fewer crowds.
📅 Quick Overview: Best Time by Month
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Rainy | Low | Culture, fewer tourists |
| February | Rainy | Low | Cheap travel, quiet beaches |
| March | Rain easing | Medium | Surfing starts in Bali |
| April | Dry begins | Medium | Great for Java, Bali |
| May | Sunny | Low | Hiking, wildlife (Komodo) |
| June | Dry, clear | Medium | Ideal for all regions |
| July | Peak dry | High | Festivals, beach, diving |
| August | Peak dry | High | Snorkeling, hiking |
| September | Dry, cooling | Medium | Best for outdoor travel |
| October | Rain starts | Medium | Budget-friendly, fewer crowds |
| November | Rainy | Low | Culture, spa, indoor activities |
| December | Rainy + Holidays | High | Christmas tourism, Bali escapes |
☀️ Dry season ( May to September)
This is the ideal time to explore most regions of Indonesia. Expect minimal rainfall, blue skies, and temperatures around 27–30°C.
Highlights:
- Bali & Lombok: Best for beach and surf.
- Komodo & Flores: Dry trails and excellent wildlife viewing.
- Java: Volcano hikes like Mount Bromo and Ijen are safer and clearer.
Pro Tip: Book accommodations early for July & August, especially in Bali.
🍃 Shoulder Season (April & October)
These months offer a sweet spot between good weather and lower prices.
Why visit?
- Cheaper flights and accommodation.
- Fewer tourists at major sites.
- Comfortable weather in Bali, Java, and Sumatra.
🌧️ Wet Season ( November to March)
This is the monsoon season in much of Indonesia, with daily rain and high humidity.
Should You Avoid It?
Not necessarily:
- Bali: Still popular in December holidays.
- North Sumatra & Raja Ampat: Less affected.
- Great time for spa retreats, culture, food, and budget travel
Best time to visit Bali
The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, which is May-September, because of the high season the flights are more expensive and quite crowded with tourists. Dry season is the best time to climb Mount Batur, and participate to water sport activities, visiting rice field and have a tour on your bike around Bali. May is the best month to visit Bali and also Lombok. While you visiting Bali and Lombok you will enjoy the best weather for the year, sunshine and clear blue skies.
Best time to visit Java
If you are planing to climb Bromo mountain, Ijen crater or visiting Yogyakarta the best month to visit these places is during the dry season. From May to September, the weather is dry hot and sunny. If you are climbing mountains make sure you bring warm clothes, the temperatures are cooler in the mountainous regions. During the raining season from October to April, expect cheaper prices and fewer crowds.
Best time to travel in Sumatra
Sumatra is one of the largest island in the Indonesian archipelago. The weather conditions could be different between the north and south of Sumatra. In north Sumatra ( Medan and Padang) the climate is very tropical due to the dense jungles that surrounds these cities especially during October and January. In south Sumatra the weather is quite similar with west java with drier weather from may to October and rainfall from November to May.
Best time to visit The Moluccas
On the Moluccas island the temperatures are always high. A lot of rain falls between May and September. The warmest month is December with a of temperature of 31°C (87°F). July is the most wet ( rainy season). November is the driest month with a sunny and hot weather.
Best time to explore Papua
Papua is a one of the region of Indonesia. The capital of Papua is Jayapura. Like everywhere on the archipelago the temperature are always high. This island has a tropical climate, with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year. The dry season runs from May to October, while the rainy season runs from November to April. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when it is easier to explore the rainforests and beaches.
Best time to visit Kalimatan
If you’re planning to visit the wild jungle and especially see orang-utans the best time is between May and September. November is the most wet month. July is the driest month. July is the most sunny month.
Best time to visit Sulawesi
Home of the famous Toraja and the beautiful Manado, Sulawesi experiences different weather conditions depending on where you are on the island. This island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather all year round. The dry season runs from April to October, while the rainy season runs from November to March. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when it is easier to explore the national parks and dive sites.
Best time to visit Nusa Tenggara
Lombok, Flores, Komodo National Park, Sumba
The islands of Nusa Tenggara, including Lombok, Flores and Sumba experience dry season between April and September. I recommend you to visit this part of Indonesia during that season, you can visit komodo island, climb Mt Rinjani, visit Gili island. The raining season happen between October and March.
Month-by-month guide for travelling in Indonesia
|
Travel Seasons |
Min/Max Temperature |
Season |
|
January-March |
25 degrees |
Heavy rainfall |
|
May to June |
25-28 degrees |
Moderate rains |
|
July-August & December |
25-27 degrees |
Dry, windy and cooler |
|
October-December |
25-28 degrees |
Moderate rainfall |
Overall, the best time to visit Indonesia is during the dry season, which runs from April to September in most regions. However, keep in mind that this is also peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds. If you are looking to avoid the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder season, which runs from October to March in most regions.
