When to go · Month by month
Bali in September: weather, crowds, prices and what to know
September keeps the dry weather of summer and loses a good part of its crowds. It rains very little, the afternoons warm up, the sea and the surf stay in good condition, and prices come down after the European back-to-school period. For many travelers, it is the best balance of the year between weather, visitor numbers and budget.
- Updated on
- Verdict: dry
- 5 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
The month at a glance
- Temperatures: 30.0 °C average high, 26.7 °C mean, 23.8 °C average low (1991–2020 normals, Ngurah Rai airport).
- Rain: 40.7 mm on average over the month, spread over 2.8 rainy days.
- Crowds: moderate after the return to school in early September, with an upturn at the end of the month during Australian school holidays.
- Verdict: the best month to enjoy the dry season without the high season; good for almost every plan, except very green rice fields.
Should you come to Bali in September? Yes, it is one of the best months: 40.7 mm of rain over 2.8 days on average, 30.0 °C in the afternoon, and crowds that thin out after the European return to school. The sea, surf and hiking are in good condition, and prices drop compared with August.
September is the month we recommend to those who can travel outside school vacations. The weather is that of summer, the crowds those of an in-between month. Our best time to visit Bali guide gives the context of the whole year.
September weather, in figures
September receives on average 40.7 mm of rain over 2.8 days at the airport. The afternoons warm up, to 30.0 °C, and the nights stay cool, at 23.8 °C, the lowest minimum of the year along with August. Sunshine is not published for this month.
| Normal | August | September (this month) | October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 29.1 °C | 30.0 °C | 31.0 °C |
| Mean temperature | 26.2 °C | 26.7 °C | 27.6 °C |
| Average low | 23.8 °C | 23.8 °C | 24.6 °C |
| Rain | 16.1 mm | 40.7 mm | 67.9 mm |
| Rainy days | 1.9 | 2.8 | 4.8 |
| Sunshine | not published | not published | not published |
Days are dry and bright, with air that is still not very humid. A shower remains possible, especially on the central highlands and at the end of the month. Nights are mild on the coast and cool in Munduk or at the top of Batur.
August received 16.1 mm over 1.9 days; October rises to 67.9 mm over 4.8 days, with 31.0 °C in the afternoon. September stays fully dry, a little warmer than August.
| 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 |
| August: Bali in August | 29.1 | 16.1 | 1.9 | Crowded |
| SeptemberThis page | 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 September changes on the ground
The sea is generally fine and the surf still in season on the Bukit. Around Nusa Penida, the water stays cool. Many rice fields are fallow or replanted, others green depending on the valley. Hikes are in excellent condition, the roads a little less congested than in August.
- Swimming: good conditions; take care on the surf beaches of the west coast. Sanur and Nusa Dua are the calmest.
- Snorkeling and diving: good visibility in Amed, Tulamben and Nusa Penida. September is part of the period often cited for sunfish in Nusa Penida, with no guarantee.
- Surf: still the season for the Bukit and the west coast, with a few fewer people in the water than in August.
- Rice fields: depending on the subak, new plantings, young shoots or resting fields. The green gradually returns in some valleys.
- Hikes: very good conditions for Batur, Agung with a guide, Sidemen and Munduk.
- Roads and waterfalls: traffic flows better than in August, but is still dense in the south. Waterfalls at low flow.
Crowds and prices in September
The European return to school, in early September, brings visitor numbers down markedly. Accommodation prices come back down toward the middle of the annual range. At the end of September, Australian school holidays bring people back, especially to Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu.
Last-minute bookings become possible again outside the most sought-after places. Crossings to Nusa Penida are easier to get. To place your budget, see the Bali travel budget guide and the budget calculator.
September events
September has no major fixed-date event in Bali. Galungan and Kuningan, on the 210-day cycle of the Balinese calendar, fall in September in some years; temple and village ceremonies continue all year round.
Coming across a procession or an odalan, a temple anniversary, is part of the trip. Covering clothes, a sarong and sash, and discretion are required. The rules are in Balinese temples and culture.
What to do in Bali in September
September lends itself to everything that needs dry weather and slightly fewer people: surf and cliffs in Uluwatu, diving and snorkeling in Nusa Penida, sunrise on Batur, walks in Sidemen. It is the right month for a complete tour.
- Uluwatu: surf on the Bukit, beaches at the foot of the cliffs, temple and kecak at sunset. See Uluwatu.
- Nusa Penida: mantas and, with luck, sunfish; Kelingking cliffs on a calmer sea in the morning. See Nusa Penida.
- Batur: night climb for the sunrise, with good chances of a view.
- Sidemen: walks in the rice fields, in peace, with Agung as a backdrop.
Who September is the right month for
September suits couples, surfers, divers, hikers and small budgets who want the dry season at a better price. It suits families tied to the school year and lovers of very green rice fields less well.
Families
Ideal with children not yet in school. For the others, the start of the school year closes the window, except at the very end of August.
Surfers
Season for the Bukit and the west coast, with fewer people than in August.
Divers
A very good month for Nusa Penida and Amed, water still cool around Penida.
Hikers
Dry trails and an often clear view over Batur and Agung.
Small budgets
Prices lower than in summer, easier bookings. Avoid the end of the month in the south.
Honeymoon
One of the best months: dry weather, sunsets on the Bukit, fewer crowds.
The 10-day itinerary ends on the Bukit; the journey between the two southern coasts is in Canggu → Uluwatu. The packing list helps you prepare for the dry season.
Frequently asked questions
Should you come to Bali in September?
Yes. September keeps the dry weather of summer with fewer people and lower prices. It is one of the best months of the year if you can travel outside school vacations.
What is the weather like in Bali in September?
Dry and sunny: 30.0 °C average high, 23.8 °C average low, 40.7 mm of rain over 2.8 days on average at the airport.
Is September the rainy season in Bali?
No, September is in the dry season, which runs from about April to October. Rain is rare.
Is September cheaper than August in Bali?
Generally yes: after the European return to school, accommodation drops toward the middle of the annual range. The end of the month is a little more in demand with the Australian holidays.
Where to stay in Bali in September?
Uluwatu for surfing, Nusa Penida for diving, Ubud or Sidemen for the interior. September lets you combine all three without weather constraints.
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.
