Best Time to Visit Indonesia: Seasons by Region

There is no single best time to visit Indonesia, because the country is too large for one weather answer. The useful version is regional: most first-time routes work best in the dry-season window, while Raja Ampat and parts of the far east need the opposite timing. Get that split right and the trip feels planned; get it wrong and boats, visibility, rain, and road conditions start making decisions for you.

For specific places, see our seasonal guides to the Banggai Islands and Raja Ampat, which dig into the local detail.

The General Rule: Dry Season Is April To October

For most first-time routes, including Bali, Java, Lombok, Komodo, and much of Sulawesi, the working rule is dry season from about April to October and wetter months from about November to March or April. BMKG’s 2026 dry-season outlook says many Indonesian regions enter dry season between April and June, with a broad August peak. Treat that as a national pattern, not a promise for every island.

The Big Exception: Raja Ampat And The East

Here is the trap that catches people. Raja Ampat and parts of eastern Indonesia, including some Maluku and Banda Sea routes, do not follow the Bali calendar neatly. Their most reliable liveaboard and long-crossing window is usually around October or November to April, while mid-year can bring rougher seas on exposed routes. If diving or snorkeling in the far east is the reason for the trip, choose dates around that region rather than around a generic Indonesia dry season.

Avoiding Peak Crowds

Two kinds of busy are worth planning around. The international peak is July and August, the European and Australian summer, when Bali, the Gilis, and Komodo are at their fullest and priciest. The domestic peaks are the Indonesian holidays, especially the end of Ramadan and the Christmas to New Year stretch, when flights and ferries fill with local travelers. If you can, aim for the shoulder months, April to June or September to October, for good weather with thinner crowds and lower prices.

The Safest Planning Windows

If you want a single practical steer: May, June, September, and early October are the strongest all-round months for many Indonesia routes because the weather is usually good and crowds are below the July-August peak. November to March is not automatically bad, but it demands a more regional plan: it can be wet for Bali or Java while still making sense for Raja Ampat. For boat-heavy trips, always leave a buffer day before flights.

So When Should You Go?

Decide your destination first, then time the trip to its season rather than a generic calendar. For most of the country, target April to October and lean to the shoulders to dodge crowds; for the far-eastern reefs, come between October and April. Pair this with the Indonesia visa guide and the cost breakdown, and plan the trip with us.