The dry season, which runs from May to September, is the best time to visit Indonesia's most popular islands for hiking, cycling, and diving. If it's your first trip to Indonesia, you will probably want to visit Bali, Komodo National Park, and Lombok. The dry season on these islands is from April to October – although the peak of the tourist season is July and August when it can get pretty crowded. The high season in Maluku and Papua starts in October, with their best weather conditions lasting until May.
If you prefer a less humid climate, then head for the mountains of Sumatra, Java, or Sulawesi where temperatures are more moderate year-round. It rains more frequently from November to February but can still be good for trekking through Sumatra’s Gunung Leuser National Park or climbing Central Java’s Mt Merapi.
Weather in Indonesia
Indonesia’s location near the equator makes it a consistent year-round destination. Small variations in rainfall and temperature create two slightly different times of the year, but all in all the best times to visit are "whenever your schedule allows." In general, it is hot (between 80-85 F) all year and humid, particularly in the wet season. Variations in temperature may occur with altitude changes as well.
As it is in the tropics, you will see rainfall year-round. A period of heavier rainfall lasts from October to March, with December to February receiving more than the others months. Flooding can make road travel difficult at times during this season. The months of June to August offer a slight cooling in temperature and less humid air, making it a more popular time for visitors.
A Balinese farmer checks on his crop
July-August (High Season)
Dive destinations Maluku and Papua experience rainy weather throughout the months of July and August. Because the weather is ideal for relaxing on the beach, tourist numbers are on the rise. Up to a 50% increase in room rates is possible. While Independence Day and the outstanding canoe races in South Sumatra (both in August) may bring more people and higher prices, the pleasant weather makes this an appealing time to visit the country despite these inconveniences.
May-June & September (Shoulder Season)
Java, Bali, and Lombok experience their ideal weather during the shoulder seasons when it is dry but not so humid. The crowds are not as heavy as they are in July and August, despite the fact that this is the low season. Both Maluku and Papua are still swamped. When it comes to orang-utan sightings, September in Kalimantan (the Indonesian section of Borneo) is ideal (the apes are harder to find during the rainy months). Similarly, less rain and moderate daily temperatures make it an ideal time to see orang-utans in northern Sumatra, where sightings are more likely.
October-April (Low Season)
Low season brings rains to Java, Bali, and Lombok. Because tourist crowds are thinner you’ll find good deals on accommodation and you can travel with little advance booking (except at Christmas and New Year, where tourist numbers shoot up for a couple of weeks). The exception is Maluku and Papua, which have their dry season from October-April; meaning it’s prime time for diving.
Explore some of Indonesia's 17,000 islands
Best Time to Go to Bali
The more popular tourist destination of Bali receives a greater influx of tourist crowds during common school holiday breaks and is significantly less crowded in shoulder seasons. Shoulder season sees afternoon showers that tend to be short and typically don’t interrupt the days and fewer tourist crowds. Indonesia also celebrates certain religious holidays, such as Ramadan lasting most of June, which causes more services to close their doors. In early June the Bali Arts Festival and Kite Fair is in full swing. July holds the Negara Bull Races and the nation’s Independence Day is on August 17th.
Tanah Lot Hindu Temple - Bali
Best Time to Travel to Java
The ideal time to visit Java is from May to September when the weather is hot, dry, and sunny. These months are also suitable for climbing Bromo or Ijen. From November to March, East Java receives less rain than West Java. Days are marked by frequent, strong rainstorms that last a few hours. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, averaging 28-30°C, while higher highland places like Mt Bromo are cooler at night.
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.