The best time to visit Indonesia

Not too long ago, Indonesia had two uncomplicated seasons: wet and dry. But then climate change teamed up with El Niño and La Niña to turn the weather upside down.

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These days, it can be a little trickier to pinpoint exactly when perfect weather will descend across this vast archipelagic nation. Yet, wacky forecasts or not, one thing remains true: there’s never a bad time to visit Indonesia.

If you've got your heart set on hiking, diving, surfing and wildlife encounters, then the best time to visit Indonesia is during the drier (and busier) period from April to October. But if you're seeking a chilled-out holiday and enjoy getting a good deal, then a rainy season trip to Indonesia is well worth considering.

Of course, more factors are in play than just the weather. While many travelers are interested in catching a wave, climbing a volcano or seeing whale sharks, for others it's all about beach parties or colorful festivals or avoiding crowds. So whether you’re drawn to the surf and sand, the jungles or those fabulous festivals, our guide to the best time to visit Indonesia can help you decide exactly when to schedule your trip.

July and August are the best time to visit Indonesia for beaches

Weather in Indonesia in the high season: Indonesia's high season falls during a sweet spot in July and August. Sunny weather coincides with the European summer, Indonesian school holidays and the Australian winter, bringing a surge of tourism across the archipelago. If you don’t mind the crowds, this is a lively time to visit.

Bali and Lombok are especially pumping during the high season, with packed beaches and bars. This is also the prime time for hiking, surfing, diving and wilderness adventures in most areas – with the exception of West Papua and Maluku, which see heavy rains in July and August.

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All the fun of Indonesia’s high season comes with the downsides of crowded surf breaks, crammed tourist attractions, swarming trails and nightmarish traffic, not to mention soaring room rates and airfares. To avoid paying the highest prices, you’ll need to book months in advance.

The Christmas holidays are another time when you can expect tourism and prices to ramp up.

March to June and September to November are the best time to visit Indonesia for wildlife encounters and the outdoors

Weather in Indonesia in the shoulder seasons: With a winning mix of superb weather, reduced tourist numbers and lower prices, the shoulder seasons at either end of the high season are our favorite time to visit Indonesia. Though you may get some rain (especially in March and November), you’re more likely to see nothing but glorious sunshine.

Everything seems to click during these periods. The waves are great, orangutans are out feeding in the jungles of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and divers head out in search of big-name visitors such as whale sharks and mola mola (sunfish), which gather from June to September. The shoulder seasons are also suburb for scaling Indonesia’s volcanoes: expect optimal trekking conditions without throngs of tourists.

In Bali in particular, things are just about perfect at either end of the peak tourist season, from May to June and throughout September. Not only can you enjoy sublime beach weather, legendary waves, stunning hikes, thundering waterfalls, yoga retreats and fascinating culture, but you'll also get to experience it all without the jostling crowds. And you don't have to worry about booking months in advance and can save money compared to peak prices.

So what are the downsides of shoulder season travel in Indonesia? Occasionally, you'll get some smoky haze from farmers burning off fields and areas of cleared forest in Sumatra and Kalimantan from September to November. If you have any respiratory issues, this is something you'll need to take into consideration.

January to February is the best time for bargains

Weather in Indonesia in the low season: Ah, the wet season – two words that visitors never want to hear, especially those hoping for sun, surf and sand. Though Indonesia is undeniably humid at this time, and your hair is bound to get a little frizzy more than once, the rainy season doesn’t mean it’s going to bucket down for the entirety of your trip. Sure, you'll get some downpours from December to February (some of them heavy), but it won't be wet around the clock. Instead, expect a few hours of rain, often in the afternoon, before blue skies reappear, and then you can be back by the pool, cocktail in hand. 

During the wet months, tourist numbers plummet, which brings a more relaxed vibe and discounts across the board. Traveling in the low season is a great time to immerse yourself in local culture and visit temples across Java and Bali without the usual crush of tourists. Just keep your rain gear handy, plan outdoor activities for the mornings (when it is more likely to be clear), and build a little extra flexibility into your itinerary to allow for delays in ferries or flights.

It’s not a good time if you’re planning on hiking, however, with most volcanoes off-limits from December to March. And orangutans and other wildlife can be harder to spot in the rainy months.

If you’re seeking somewhere less rainy, West Papua and Maluku experience their dry season at this time of year. If you’re into hiking to remote villages or diving into the unparalleled reefs of Raja Ampat, these are the best months to visit. Not only is the ocean calm, but visibility is crystal clear for exploring this spectacular underwater world.