Planning a Trip to Beautiful Bali during the Rainy Season
Most people will shy away from booking a trip to a particular destination in the rainy season but there can be a number of benefits from choosing this time of year. Flights can be cheaper, there are often less tourist which means fewer divers on a particular dive site and the rainy season generally means that there will be a downpour in the afternoon which soon clears up, and if you are a diver you plan on getting wet anyway
Read on for more information about diving in Bali in the rainy season.
When is Bali’s rainy season?
The rainy season in Bali isn’t 100% predictable, but generally starts somewhere between October and December. Generally late December and most of January are thought to have the heaviest rainfalls, but February can also be quite wet.
If you’ve been to countries like Thailand, India, or Sri Lanka you’ll probably be expecting monsoon type conditions in Bali as well. Fortunately, this isn’t necessarily so. Bali has a gentler rainy season with most rain falling in the afternoon. You’ll often feel the humidity build during the day until the skies suddenly open up. It usually comes as a welcome cool-down and is a good time to relax and enjoy the temperature drop.
How to be prepared for rainy season
There isn’t too much you can do about the sudden downpours during Bali’s rainy season except find a spot to sit and have a drink or enjoy the cool rain and splash on through. An umbrella is always a good idea and if you ride a scooter, make sure you have a raincoat or poncho. Sometimes a change of clothes is even needed if you’ve really got stuck in a downpour.
If you are planning on traveling around Bali during the wet season you should be aware that roads can get flooded. Traffic can definitely be effected and the southern parts of the island get pretty jammed up. Around Lotus Bungalows Candidasa this isn’t so much of an issue, but add some extra travel time to any trips you’re going to make, especially to get to the airport on time for a flight departure.
Even in rainy season you’ll get plenty of sun. If you like to sunbathe get up in the morning to make the most of the dry weather and enjoy a nap or read a book in the afternoon. It’s actually ideal for a relaxing holiday.
Sea and diving conditions
The rainy season can bring bigger seas than usual, which can cause some rocky boat journeys. Gangga Divers will always plan accordingly and make sure conditions are safe to go out. However, if you get seasick you will want to plan for either taking medication or using natural remedies to help with the nausea. Sucking on ginger sweets or using pressure point bands are good ways to combat seasickness.
The wonderful thing about wet season in Bali is the movement of water from the sea south of Bali and Java towards the end of the season. This cold, nutrient rich water comes to the surface off of East Bali where it triggers a phytoplankton bloom. This brings massive amounts of life to the area, including mola-mola and other pelagics. Just be prepared for the water to be a bit cooler than usual.
You see, you shouldn’t be put off by the rainy season in Bali. Everything is beautifully green and fresh looking and the light is perfect for taking amazing photos of your travels. Why should a bit of rain stop all your fun? Embrace your inner child and splash in a few puddles.
Would you book a holiday to Bali in the wet season?
Photo Credit: Lotus Bungalows Candidasa
