Bali’s rainy season is upon us. As the island experienced its worst flooding in more than 70 years in September, leaders, government agencies, and communities are working together to mitigate risks. However, tourists are already questioning whether their upcoming vacations will be impacted by the rainy season.
The short answer to the question ‘Will my vacation be impacted by monsoon season in Bali’ is yes. A definitive yes!
Bali typically experiences the rainy season from late October and early November through late March, with the final rains passing in early April. It is unavoidable in a tropical region such as Indonesia.
The important question to answer is, ‘Will Bali be safe to visit this monsoon season?’ The answer to that question is also yes, but tourists must be well prepared. Leaders in Bali are already working around the clock to put major mitigation efforts in place to ensure public safety and minimize disruptions.
Speaking earlier this week, the Head of the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, confirmed that forecasts suggest that the highest rainfall of this upcoming monsoon season will occur between January and February 2026. Extreme rainfall can trigger floods, flash floods, and landslides, especially if the early rainy season is not managed properly.
As was the case with the flooding seen in September 2025. Days of heavy rain led to many areas of Denpasar, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak being submerged, affecting homes, businesses, and public spaces. Areas in Canggu and around Ubud were also seriously affected by flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and road collapses.
Karnawati told leaders during a strategic planning meeting, “Mapping areas prone to flash floods, early monitoring of river flows in hilly areas, and restructuring of shallow or narrowed river bodies are crucial.” The BMKG has also recommended stopping excavation activities on hillsides with a high risk of landslides.
As a response, Governor Koster immediately ordered the Head of the Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to map flood and landslide-prone areas across the province and follow up on the results with ‘swift and measured action’. The worst-affected areas are also those most popular with tourists, such as Ubud and the top tourism resorts of Badung Regency, including Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.
Tourists planning trips to Bali during this rainy season are advised to talk with their accommodation hosts at check-in regarding emergency evacuation protocols and what to do in the event of a major flood.
Tourists should also be mindful that activities like ATV riding, volcano trekking, river rafting, and marine tourism activities like snorkeling and diving, as well as boat transfers, may be affected by the weather conditions.
Tourists must contact their tour providers directly, either on the day of their experience or the day before, to assess whether weather conditions allow the activity to be carried out safely.
It is advisable to have a list of rainy-day activities at the ready in case the forecast affects outdoor activities.
Tourists must ensure that they have a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy prior to traveling to Indonesia.
It is essential to read all policy documents to understand what is and is not covered, and to be up to speed with how to make a claim and access emergency support.
Weather apps are always a good option to check in with the forecast ahead of time, though it is also highly advisable to follow the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency for Bali on Instagram. While much of the content is shared in Bahasa Indonesia, daily and weekly forecast updates, as well as any emergency alerts or extreme weather warnings, are posted in English.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.