Rainy Season in Bali: What It’s Actually Like (From Someone Who Lives Here)
- THE SPIRITUAL PUNK
- 25 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Do you want to know all about what Bali is really like in rainy season ? By the end of this post, you will know all you need to.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering about the rainy season in Bali, you’re not alone.
It’s one of the most searched questions about visiting Bali and also one of the most misunderstood.
I live in Uluwatu, in the south of Bali, and I experience rainy season here every year. This isn’t a second-hand guide or a weather chart breakdown, it’s an honest look at what rainy season in Bali is actually like, how it changes across the island, and whether it should affect your plans.
Officially, rainy season in Bali run bns from around November to March, according to Indonesia’s official meteorology agency (BMKG), but what that actually looks like day-to-day is very different depending on where you are on the island and very different from what most people expect.
This post is part of our Travel section, where we look at Bali, The beaches like Dreamland beach and the Best things to do in Uluwatu.
 | This is Our Story - we were living a Depressed and Disconnected life in the UK and we choose life instead. To thrive rather than survive. We're sold everything & took a leap of faith to follow our intuition to raise our vibration and live the life of our dreams travelling the world, worldschooling our kids and building our dream home in Bali . If this resonates with you please subscribe to our blog + YouTube channel |
And you know us, we're friends so let's jump right in to todays blog.
This isn’t a second-hand guide or a weather chart breakdown, it’s an honest look at what rainy season in Bali is actually like, how it changes across the island, and whether it should affect your plans.
Rainy Season in Bali – Quick Overview
Before getting into the details, here’s the short version:
Rainy season in Bali does not mean constant rain
Weather varies hugely depending on where you are on the island
Some days are wet, some are completely dry
You can still swim, explore, and enjoy Bali, you just need to do it with a bit of flexibility
Now let’s break it down properly.
🎥 Watch: Rainy Season in Bali (Real Footage From Someone Living Here)
I filmed a full video showing exactly what the rainy season in Bali looks like — real days of sunshine, sudden storms, flooded roads in other parts of the island, and everyday life here in Uluwatu.If you want to see how rainy season in Bali actually plays out day to day, this video shows it exactly as it is.
When Is Rainy Season in Bali?
The rainy season in Bali typically runs from November to March, with January and February usually being the wettest months.
That said, weather in Bali isn’t consistent year to year.
Some rainy seasons barely register. Others can feel intense, especially in certain parts of the island. And that’s where location really matters.
Does Rainy Season Affect All of Bali the Same?
Short answer: no.
I live in Uluwatu, right down on the Bukit Peninsula in the south. Generally speaking:
The further north you go, the wetter, heavier and more consistent the rain becomes
Areas like Denpasar, Ubud, and north Bali see heavier rainfall and more flooding
Southern areas like Uluwatu tend to get more broken, hit-and-miss rain
This year, for example, there’s been significant flooding in the north of the island, while Uluwatu has been relatively manageable so far. This meant that one of the main roads from Uluwatu in the south, up towards Kuta, Canggu and beyond was closed for days and so the traffic all around this area was total chaos.
Further North, things got more serious with cars, homes, businesses, buildings all swept away and people actually dying. It is important to bear in mind that this was not around the main beach areas, so as long as you pay attention to what is happening, you should be fine.
What Rainy Season in Bali Is Actually Like
This is the part most people get wrong.
Rainy season in Bali doesn’t usually mean grey skies all day. Instead, it’s more like this:
Heavy rain for 30 minutes to an hour
Then sunshine
Then maybe rain again later in the day
You can quite literally be standing in torrential rain one hour, and too hot, stripping off to go swimming in the sea the next.
It’s crazy unpredictable, but rarely constant. This is Bali after all.
How Bad Is Rainy Season in Bali? (Real Year-by-Year Experience)
A lot of people ask “how bad is rainy season in Bali?” and honestly, it depends on the year.
Two years ago, we barely noticed it. We were travelling around Ubud, Nusa Lembongan, and Uluwatu, and it stayed mostly dry.
Last year, it was very different. Early rainy season wasn’t too bad, but February was intense, with heavy rain, sometimes for days at a time with zero breaks.
This year, we’ve already seen flooding further north, but in Uluwatu it hasn’t been too bad yet, although we’re heading into what was peak rainy season last year.
A Real Example: One Week in Rainy Season
To give you a realistic picture, here’s what one recent week looked like for us:
This week we have had
Thursday - sunshine all day, clouded over and rained heavy at night
Friday - hot sunshine all day
Saturday - cloudy sunny spells, rained at night
Sunday - cloudy sunny spells, rained at night
Monday - cloudy sunny spells, rain showers throughout
Tuesday - Heavy rain early in morning, sunny spells
Weds - Heavy rain in the morning, sun coming out later on
That’s rainy season in Bali — unpredictable, but very liveable.
Roads, Transport & Getting Around in Rainy Season
The roads are probably the biggest downside of rainy season. Bali roads are known for being busy and pretty sketchy.
Potholes fill with water
Dips flood quickly
You can’t always tell how deep things are
If you’re riding a scooter, you slow right down.... everyone does.
One thing to know: Grab and Gojek deliveries often stop when it’s raining. You can usually still get a car, but don’t rely on food delivery during heavy rain.
Also during rainy season, people stay in, this means that when it stops everyone heads out to do jobs, to go on trips etc. So, it can be pretty crazy in the breaks in the rain. Also when it is clear and looks like it’s going to rain, everyone rushes to get back in time.
It can be crazy and I mean crazy, with people just ignoring traffic signals, riding up pavements and down the wrong side of the road. Honestly Bali traffic has to be seen to be believed
Beaches During Rainy Season in Bali
Even when it’s sunny, beaches aren’t always at their best during rainy season.
There’s usually more trash washed up after rain
Some days look amazing, others… not so much
We still go to the beach regularly, but expectations need adjusting slightly. Rainy season is also when a lot of locals and expats get involved in beach clean-ups, which feels like a good way to give something back.
Living Here: How We Actually Deal With Rainy Season
This is where living in Bali changes your mindset.
If we wake up and it’s sunny — we go !
To thw Gym, beach, market, errands — everything gets done early.
You learn to be flexible. Plans change daily, sometimes hourly.
Practical Rainy Season Tips
Always keep a small towel and waterproof under your scooter seat
Dry the seat, throw the jacket on, and don’t stress
If it starts raining while riding — pull over. It usually passes
Wear shorts and sandals — skin dries faster than clothes
These little habits make rainy season much easier.
What Rainy Season in Bali Is Actually Good For
Rainy season isn’t all negatives.
The island is greener
Waterfalls are incredible
Cafés are quieter
Accommodation is often cheaper
Bali feels calmer and less hectic
It’s a slower version of Bali and honestly, some people prefer it.
Final Thoughts: Should Rainy Season Stop You Visiting Bali?
Rainy season in Bali isn’t bad, it’s just different.
If you expect perfect weather every day, you’ll probably be frustrated.
If you’re flexible, realistic, and willing to work with the weather, you can still have an incredible trip.
This is Bali as it really is rain, sun, chaos, beauty, and all.
Beaches like Dreamland beach
I hoped this post helped you.
Let me know in the comments below if you liked this post or if it helped you in your own journey. I hope this honest look at what rainy season in Bali is actually like, how it changes across the island, and whether it should affect your plans helped you plan your trip to Bali.
Have yu planned a trip to Bali ? Or have you been in rainy season. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Who am I ? And what is a Spiritual Punk ?
I want to be a bit more real, a bit more honest and more for people that are spiritual, but still a bit of a rebel and just a bit more real.
So, if you like this and you think you could be a bit like this then jump on and subscribe.
Don't Miss A Thing!
Follow Us on YouTube , Instagram & Facebook. Or why not subscribe to Be Nothing Like and get financial freedom + spiritual awakening tips straight to your inbox every week?
PIN THIS POST TO READ ME LATER
Comments