Is June a Good Time to Go to Bali?

If you’re wondering “Is June a good time to go to Bali?” you’ll be pleased to hear that you can visit Bali at any time of the year and find warm weather, beautiful scenery, and a wide range of activities to enjoy. 

Bali is a tropical island in Indonesia known for its surf beaches, fascinating culture, friendly people and great food. The West Coast beaches are popular with digital nomads and have an energetic nightlife, and further inland there are beautiful temples, gorgeous tropical waterfalls and lush green rice terraces. Bali is a popular destination for a reason, but is June a good time to go?

I’ve been on several solo trips to Bali and I think that June is a great time to visit. In fact, June is one of the best months of the year to go. Here’s why…

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Is June a Good Time to Go to Bali?

Yes, June is a good time to go to Bali. The weather is warm and sunny and there’s less rain than at other times of the year. June is a perfect time for a beach holiday. The sunny days in June are ideal for swimming, surfing and relaxing on the sand. It’s also a good time for sightseeing, hiking, and chasing waterfalls.

The water temperatures are warm in June and the water is clearer than at other times of the year so it’s a good time for snorkelling and diving.

Why the Shoulder Season is a Good Time to Visit Bali

April, May and June fall in the shoulder season in Bali between the wettest months from November to March, and the driest months of the year, July and August. The transition months are drier, with less rain but the weather can still be a bit unstable.

June falls just before the driest months and the peak season for tourists. Prices for accommodation and airfares are almost at their highest, usually peaking in the most popular months of July and August. The high season coincides with the school holidays in Europe, Indonesia and Australia. Bali’s west coast beaches and attractions can be very crowded in the peak months.

So June has some of the best weather of the year for a beach holiday, and although there are a lot of tourists around, it’s a bit less crowded than Bali in the peak season month of July. 

But May is even better than June in Bali. The wet season has finished but the island is still lush and green, and the weather is warmer and dryer than in the rainy season. The earlier months of the shoulder season are a lovely time to visit Bali and there are fewer tourists.

What to Expect from June Weather in Bali

June in Bali brings great beach weather with sunny skies and low rainfall. Average maximum temperatures reach 30°C (86°F) with lows of 22°C (72°F).  June is a beautiful time to visit Bali with slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity. The coastal winds begin in June and cooling breezes take the edge of the tropical heat.

What to Do in the Shoulder Season in Bali

The shoulder seasons in Bali are from April to June and September to October. These are the best months to visit Bali for sightseeing, visiting temples and waterfalls and enjoying the many cultural activities that Bali has to offer. It’s also a good time for outdoor activities like swimming, snorkelling, hiking in the mountains and riding a motorbike.

There’s no shortage of fun, adventurous and relaxing things to do in Bali during the shoulder season months. Here are some of the best activities for Bali in June:

• Relax on Bali’s beautiful beaches. Sunbathe, swim, surf and enjoy the warm, sunny weather.

• Watch the sunset at Jimbaran Beach while eating a delicious fresh seafood evening meal by candlelight at Lia Café. It’s a highlight of visiting Bali in June.

• Enjoy a beach sunset in Seminyak at one of Bali’s famous beach clubs, La Plancha, Potato Head or Ku de Ta.

• June in Bali has clearer waters and is a good time for snorkelling and diving. During the shoulder season, the seas are calmer, and the underwater visibility is better than in the wetter months.

TIP: June is a good month to take a boat trip to the Nusa islands and swim with Manta Rays at Manta Point near Nusa Penida.

• June is bali is a good time to visit the Gili Islands to snorkel with endangered sea turtles, a highlight of a trip to Bali. As well as turtles you can expect to see colourful fish, coral and some underwater statues just offshore from Gili Meno.

• June is the perfect time to visit Ubud for a few days in the cultural heart of Bal. Surrounded by rice fields and ancient temples, in Ubud, you can visit the Royal Palace, meet the long-tailed macaques in the Monkey Forest, enjoy the café scene, and relax with yoga classes or a luxurious Bali spa treatment.

• Ubud also has some of Bali’s best shopping experiences with outdoor markets and boutiques on the main street.

• Traditional dance and gamelan performances are held outdoors by the lily pond at the Sarasvati Temple in Ubud every evening.

• Just outside Ubud, there are beautiful rice terraces at Tegallalang and several lovely waterfalls to see at Tibumana, Tukad Cepung and Kanto Lampo.

TIP: Visit the Bali Gate of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple on an Instagram Highlights day tour from Ubud and enjoy spectacular views of the Mount Agung volcano. Discover Bali’s most recognizable locations and experience firsthand the photos you’ve seen on Instagram.

• Near Ubud, there are some atmospheric water temples at Tirta Empul, Pura Sebatu and Goa Gajah. Bali’s most important temples Pura Besakih, Pura Ulan Danu Beratan holy lake Temple and the Bali Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang temple are all easy to see on a day trip from Ubud. But you can expect crowds of tourists and long queues in June.

Reasons to Avoid Bali in June

June is a popular time to go to Bali. The last weeks of June can be quite busy with tourists, especially on the west coast beaches in Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu. Although June is not yet the peak time for visitors, it’s close to the holiday period in the USA, Europe, Australia and Indonesia and there are more tourists in Bali.

This makes June one of the more expensive months for a Bali vacation. Falling just before the peak tourist season, prices for airfares, accommodation and tours are higher than in the low season months of November, January and February.

If you want to save money, you prefer not to book ahead or you don’t like crowds, then Bali in June is not the best time for you to visit.  

Travel Tips for Bali in June

• Book ahead. Although the busiest months are July and August, June is still quite busy in Bali. Prices are higher so book well in advance for the best deals on airfares and accommodation.

• The dry season is a good time to visit the islands near Bali such as Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Ferries are more reliable in the dry season but allow plenty of time to return to the mainland for flights and tours if you’re visiting Bali in June.

• Bali has a tropical climate, and it can rain at any time of the year. In June in Bali, I experienced a week of heavy rain and ferries were cancelled due to rough seas.

• Even in the dry season, it can rain so pack wet weather gear and an umbrella

TIP: June is also a great time to visit the neighbouring island of Java to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Borobudur and Prambanan temples, Indonesia’s most famous temples. Java also has spectacular mountain scenery and the active volcano at Mount Bromo is one of the easiest of Indonesia’s volcanoes to climb for stunning views at sunrise.

• Bali weather in June can be hot so book a hotel with air conditioning and a pool to cool down after a busy day of sightseeing.

• Dress respectfully when visiting Balinese temples. Cover your shoulders and knees and wear a sarong and sash.

• Drink only bottled water. Don’t drink the tap water.

• Don’t flush your toilet paper in Bali. Put it in the bins provided.

Festivals in June in Bali

The Bali Arts Festival

The annual Bali Arts Festival or Pesta Kesenian Bali, is usually held from mid-June to mid-July. This cultural celebration includes colourful art exhibitions and performances and lasts for a month. It’s the biggest cultural event in Bali.

The Bali Kite Festival

The Bali Kite Festival, or Pesta Layang-Layang Bali, is an annual festival that takes advantage of the coastal winds that blow from June to August. The kite Festival is popular with youths who fly their traditional and contemporary kites high in the air along the coastal areas of Bali. Although the festival is held in Denpasar at Padanggalak Beach, you can see kites flying on the beaches of Sanur and in other places along the coast.

Twin Lake Festival

The Twin Lake Festival takes place every year in June at Tamblingan Lake and Buyang Lake in Singajara in the mountains of Bali. The festival includes a rowing competition on the lake and traditional fruit carving competitions with locally growing fruits.

Perang Pandan

Perang Pandan is a traditional sport held in Karangasem in Bal in June. It’s a coming-of-age ritual where bare-chested boys from the village take part in duelling. Perang Pandan is held in conjunction with the purification rituals in the village.

What to pack for June in Bali

The Bali weather in June is warm, dry and sunny with some coastal winds that begin in June. Temperatures are a bit cooler and there’s less humidity than at other times of the year.

• Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothes

• Take a cool cotton dress and sandals

• Pack shorts for the beach

• Take a sarong for the beach and wear it when visiting Balinese temples. A sarong can double as a beach towel, a skirt, a dress, a scarf, or a sheet.

• Pack long-sleeved shirts and long pants to dress respectfully in Bali. Balinese people dress modestly. Covering shoulders and knees is expected when visiting temples and is appreciated in less visited areas.

Note: You can buy most toiletries and clothes in Bali so pack light & enjoy shopping when you’re there.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Bali in June?

Airfares to Bali in June are more expensive than if you’re travelling in the low season. In January, return airfares cost less than US$700 from Sydney to Bali and I paid around US$600 more for my plane ticket for a trip to Bali in June.

Accommodation in Bali was a bit more expensive in June and the average cost of a 3-star hotel was US$30 – $50. Visiting Bali in January during the low season, I averaged US$20 -$40 per night. Booking in advance was definitely a good idea for Bali in June to get more choices and better deals. The better hotels are booked out weeks ahead so it’s definitely worth planning and booking ahead for Bali in the high season.

Throughout the year, food and transport costs are similar. A meal in a café or restaurant costs around US$7 and around US$2- $4 for a delicious meal in a local restaurant or warung.

Taxis are inexpensive in Bali year-round. From Denpasar airport to Ubud takes over an hour and costs around US$23 and even less in a Grab or Gojek car. A short trip on a motorbike taxi costs only US$1 or $2.

June in Bali is the most popular time of year to visit. There are more tourists, and prices are higher. Expect accommodation to be more expensive, especially if your plans change at short notice.

What to Eat in June in Bali

One of the joys of visiting Bali is the food. There are some excellent cafes around the island and some good restaurants serving Indonesian and Western dishes.

• A highlight of visiting Bali in June is watching a beach sunset while eating a huge and delicious fresh seafood meal at Lia Café on Jimbaran Beach.

• Brunch in Ubud is a way of life in Bali. The comfortable Lazy Cats Café and  Soulbites were my favourite places for breakfast with Eggs Benedict and smoothie bowls on the menu.

• The local warungs (Indonesian restaurants) are good value in Bali and the food is delicious. I enjoyed the novelty of Nasi Goreng, fried rice with egg, for breakfast in Indonesia.

• Indonesian Satay skewers are delicious and served with a tasty peanut sauce. The Old Brick, a small warung in a laneway in Sanur serves the best satay chicken.

• Gado Gado, steamed vegetables with peanut sauce, is another favourite.

• I also enjoyed an occasional shot of Arak, the local Balinese alcoholic spirit.

Where to stay in Bali in June

The most popular places to stay in Bali are on the west coast. Bali has a choice of surf beaches with a large selection of hotels and guesthouses.

Kuta offers a beach holiday with nightlife a choice of shopping malls and a convenient location near the airport. It’s a good place to stay before or after a flight and offers a range of accommodations from luxury to budget. Kuta is popular with young partygoers who want to dance the night away and relax on the beach during the day.

Nearby Seminyak is a bit more upmarket and is also a very popular beach destination in Bali. Seminyak has lovely west-facing surf beaches and designer shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to hit the beach and relax at sunset at one of Bali’s famous beach clubs.

Canggu is now one of the busiest beach suburbs in Bali and is loved by digital nomads. If you want an alternative to Kuta and Seminyak on Bali’s west coast where you can enjoy trendy cafes, nightlife and surf beaches, then head to Canggu.

The protected beaches of Sanur on Bali’s east coast are popular with families and people wanting to escape the party scene on the other side of the island. June in Bali is the perfect time to visit Sanur to watch local youths flying the traditional kites on the beach at the annual Kite Festival.

Ubud, known as the cultural heart of Bali, is the centre of art and culture. Ubud has a royal palace, several water temples, traditional dance performances, art galleries and yoga. Ubud also has a central location and is a good base for exploring the rest of the island.

Can’t decide between Ubud and the beach for a holiday in Bali? This comparison, Ubud vs Kuta has all the information you need to help you choose which is best for your vacation in Bali in June.

Uluwatu on the Bukit Peninsula is known for its big surf and beautiful beaches. Uluwatu has some of the best surf breaks in Bali with dramatic coastal scenery and a laid-back atmosphere.

Nusa Dua is where you’ll find the most exclusive luxury resorts and some of the best beaches in Bali. Nusa Dua is a resort suburb for tourists and is ideal for families and romantic couples.

To escape the tourist crowds on the beaches of Bali in June, head to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The islands are just 30 minutes away by fast boat and offer beautiful surf beaches, gorgeous coastal scenery and fewer tourists.

Lombok and the Gili Islands are another alternative to the crowded beaches of Bali in June. About 90 minutes away from Bali by ferry, Lombok and the Gili Islands are chilled out in the high season. There are fewer visitors, and you can snorkel with sea turtles directly from the beach.

Final Thoughts – Is June a good time to Go to Bali?

June is a great month to go to Bali. The weather is warm and it’s one of the driest months of the year so it’s a good time for a beach vacation in Bali. But June is also in the high season and falls just before the busiest months so it’s a popular time to visit. Airfares, accommodation and tours are more expensive in June.

If it’s too crowded on Bali’s west coast in June, you can always go somewhere quieter like Munduk or Amed or escape to the Nusa islands or the beautiful Gili islands to relax on the beach and chill out. The best time to visit Bali is whenever you can. Anytime is a good time to go to Bali!

TIP: Are you thinking of travelling to Bali between November and March? It’s Bali’s rainy season and the weather is better in Thailand. Learn more about Bali vs Thailand, how these popular Southeast Asian destinations compare and whether Railay Beach or Ao Nang is better for a beach holiday in Thailand.

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