One thing you can’t miss in January in Bali is that it’s rainy season, but that doesn’t mean that you should avoid coming to the island during this month. Quite the contrary.
January is the best time of year to get out and enjoy the temples, rice fields, terraces, and outdoor markets of Bali.
You might want to bring something to keep the rain off, but even in this month, you will find you get plenty of sunshine each and every day.
Here’s what you need to know about the weather here in Bali during the month of January.
What Will the Weather Be Like in Bali in January?
January is the wettest month of the year, and it’s not going to surprise anyone that it’s the rainy season once they’ve been here for a day or two.
However, the temperatures are still pleasant and tend to reach a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) and a maximum of around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit).
It can feel a little “muggy” at this time of year as the rain leads to rather more humidity than you see in the dry season here in Bali.
Despite the rain, you can expect around 5-6 hours of glorious sunshine each day in Bali at this time of year; in fact, there’s sun all year round in Bali.
It’s one of the reasons so many people consider this island to be a slice of paradise on Earth.
We admit that it’s not the best time of year for diving and snorkelling as the sea can get a bit cloudy following the rain.
However, it is the low season, and after the New Year, prices in hotels and resorts tend to come down considerably, and there are fewer crowds in Bali during this month, too.
An Overview Of The Bali Weather In January
OK, so let’s take a closer look at the numbers around the weather in Bali in January and at what you can expect if you visit in January.
Minimum to Maximum Temperatures (Average Temperature)
The average temperature range of the minimum expected temperature in January is 22-25 degrees Celsius (that’s 72-77 degrees Fahrenheit).
And for the average temperature range of the maximum is 30-31 degrees (which is 86-88 degrees Fahrenheit).
In Bali’s tropical climate, it’s always warm and average temperatures don’t change that much throughout the year, though the average humidity can vary dramatically between the dry and wet seasons.
This isn’t the most comfortable time of year, that’s June, based on average human preferences, but it’s pleasant enough all the same.
Monthly Rainfall And Rainy Days
It rains nearly every day in January, and you can expect to see around 20-27 days of rain this month! That means, at best, 1 in 3 days without rain and, at worst, just 1 in 10 days without rain.
However, the rainfall is only around 34.2cm-35cm (13.5 to 13.8 inches) and that’s not actually that heavy for a monsoon climate.
Hours Of Sunshine Per Day
You will find that it is often sunny at this time of year, particularly in the early morning (which can make it a great time for a trip to a local market), and you can expect around 5-6 hours of sunshine each day if you visit Bali during this time of year.
The January weather in Bali is ideal for discovering temples, eating out at restaurants (and sampling Balinese cuisine), seeing places like the Jatiluwih rice terraces (which come to life at this time of the year) and much more, and there’s more than enough sun for that.
Relative Humidity Levels
The average humidity is higher at this time of year, and it’s about 82-85%, but when you consider the average humidity in June, the driest month is around 79-80%, the difference really isn’t that dramatic.
The downside of high levels of humidity is that it’s hard for sweat to evaporate, and it’s important to wear breathable garments to assist the body’s cooling process.
Average Sea Temperature
If you were hoping to go for a swim during your time in Bali in January, then you will be pleased to know the sea temperature is a very pleasant 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, the wet season weather can make the sea somewhat cloudier than normal, but Bali’s beaches are never empty in this rainiest month of the year.
In fact, it’s a great time to spend time on the beach as it’s warm and pleasant, and the lower costs of accommodation can often mean you can stay at a nicer beach resort than you might in peak season.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Bali In January?
There are plenty of cool things to see in Bali during January, including:
FINNS Beach Club – this is the best beach club in the world, according to popular acclaim. FINNS is a brilliant way to be by the beach at this time of year because if it rains, they have a lovely covered area to shelter under. With no minimum spend and no door fee, unlike other beach clubs, FINNS is a great place to have a good time without worrying about busting your budget.
- Temples – Tanah Lot Temple, Besakih Temple, etc., are all excellent at this time of year, and Ulun Danu Beratan is amazing to discover in January as it appears to float on the lake it is next to, thanks to the high water!
-
Tellagung and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces – the rice terraces are absolutely spectacular after the rains have come and transformed them into lush green paradises. It’s the best time of the year for fresh ingredients in Bali, too, thanks to the huge amounts of growth for crops at this time of year.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Bali In January?
There are some awesome things to do this month, too:
-
Celebrate Chinese New Year – while Balinese culture might be a bit closer to Indian culture than some Southeast Asian cultures, Chinese New Year (if it falls in January) is a big festival on the island, and it’s a lot of fun. Dragon dancing is always awesome. We’ve got a big write up on CNY for you here.
- Celebrate Siwa Ratri (the night of Siwa) – this is part of the year when the Balinese pray to have their sins forgiven by the god Shiva (Siwa), and once the process is complete, you will find celebrations taking place at the local temple. This festival often falls in January.
- Celebrate Galungan – this takes place on the 4th of January, and it honours the creator of the universe and rejoices in his triumph over evil. It’s meant to remind Balinese people to lead a virtuous life and to reject the demands of their egos in favour of being guided by their own higher selves.
What Should I Bring To Bali In January?
You don’t need to pack anything particularly special for this time of year except to ensure that you have light, breathable fabrics that can dry out easily on a hot, humid day.
You should also ensure that you have the right clothes to dress appropriately when visiting the temples.
You need to cover your shoulders and legs in temples but if you don’t have appropriate clothes, you can usually rent a shawl and/or a sarong at the temple entrance.
FAQs
Is January A Good Time To Go To Bali? Should I Visit Bali In January?
Yes! Sure, it’s wet season, but Balinese culture is warm and welcoming all year round and the beaches on the Southern tip of Bali are still busy at this time of year.
In fact, a rainy day in Bali is not usually a day full of rain but a couple of hours in the afternoon or early evening.
The temperature is warm all day long, and you can still go swimming and do almost all the things tourists normally do.
Most of all, it’s the low season, so you can do it for less money than you can in the middle of the year.
Is Bali Rainy In January? Does It Rain A Lot In Bali In January? Is It The Rainy Season?
The weather in Bali during January is definitely wet. It rains on most days, but that doesn’t mean your trip will be one long shower. In fact, the showers here tend to be relatively short and confined to the afternoons and early evenings most days.
You’ll still get plenty of sun even in the wettest month of the rainy season.
What Season Is It In Bali In January?
It’s the rainy season. Bali only has two seasons, like most places in the tropics, and they are the wet and dry seasons.
It’s cooler and less humid in the dry part of the year, with less rain. However, it’s also more popular, and there are bigger crowds at most attractions. Also, as all good lists of travel tips will tell you, flights and hotels are also more expensive.
Conversely, the wet part of the year is cheaper and less crowded, but hotter and more humid and more regular rain.
What’s The Average Weather Like In Bali In January/February?
It’s the wettest part of the year, so it will rain most days, but it’s worth noting it won’t rain every day, and even on days with heavy rainfall, you will see the sun.
The sea temperature remains very pleasant for swimming, and it’s a great time to see more of the island after enjoying the beaches for a while.
We have a February Weather in Bali guide too!
Is January Part Of The Wet Season In Bali?
Yes, it is.
What Are The Sea Conditions In Bali In January?
The temperature of the sea remains very pleasant at this time of year, but if you’re thinking of going for a boat trip, be warned that rain can bring some fairly hefty waves with it.
Travelling out to the Nusa Islands, the Gili Islands, Lombok, etc., can involve some fairly epic bouts of sea sickness, and you might want to stay in mainland Bali if you can’t fly to another part of Indonesia that you want to visit.
The rains also tend to make the sea cloudy, and diving can be less fulfilling than at other times of the year.
Is Bali Better In December Or January?
We don’t think that there’s much in it, though you should be aware that the Christmas to New Year period is incredibly busy in Bali, and the costs of flights and accommodation go through the roof at this time of year.
Is Bali Cloudy In January?
There is, according to the UK Met Office, a 79% chance of clouds on any day in January and a 21% of a sunny day with no clouds at all.
What Month Is Coldest In Bali?
It’s January, but we should note that “coldest” is a relative term, and there is only a 2-degree difference between January and the hottest month in Bali, May.
That’s because it’s hot all year round in the tropics.
Is January Off Season In Bali?
Yes, and that means you can get better deals on flights and hotels at this time of year and booking restaurants is somewhat easier (though the island’s most popular fine dining spots still need you to book way in advance if you want to get in).
How Should I Book A January Holiday In Bali?
If you want to visit Bali at any time of year, we always recommend that you book with the excellent local travel service, the Bali Res Centre.
They can help visitors pick a good month for their trip and ensure you get to see everything you want to see, too. Their prices are very competitive, and every dollar spent with the Bali Res Centre stays in the local economy.
Final Thoughts On Bali Weather, January
Bali is always a great place to visit, and even in January, you can have a great time if you don’t mind putting up with a little precipitation.
We find that when the showers start, you can always dive into a spa or a temple to escape the rain and when it’s not raining, the surfing is amazing! We hope to see you in Bali soon.
