The two seasons
The dry season, roughly May to October, brings sunshine, lower humidity, calmer seas on most coasts and the main trekking and surf seasons. July and August are the busiest months. By September the south-coast hills are brown and dusty.
The wet season, roughly November to April, brings heavy showers — often in the afternoon or at night — between sunny spells, green landscapes and fewer visitors. December to February are usually the wettest months. Rinjani’s trails are normally closed from about January to March.
Month by month
Approximate conditions for the lowlands and coast (the mountains are cooler and wetter):
| Month | Weather | Good for | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Wet, hot, humid | Green landscapes, waterfalls | Quiet (busy at New Year) |
| February | Wet | Bau Nyale (some years) | Quiet |
| March | Wet to showery | Waterfalls, low prices | Quiet |
| April | Showers easing | Shoulder season; Rinjani usually reopens | Quiet to moderate |
| May | Mostly dry | Everything | Moderate |
| June | Dry | Trekking, surfing, snorkelling | Moderate to busy |
| July | Dry, cooler nights | Trekking, surfing | Very busy |
| August | Dry, windy | Trekking, surfing | Very busy |
| September | Dry | Everything; fewer people | Moderate |
| October | Dry, hot; first rains possible | Beaches, diving | Moderate (busy on race weekends) |
| November | Showers return | Green season begins | Quiet |
| December | Wet | Holidays | Busy over Christmas & New Year |
Activities by season
- Rinjani trekking: roughly April to December, best May–June and September–October.
- Surfing: year-round somewhere; the larger dry-season swells suit experienced surfers, beginners can learn any month.
- Snorkelling and diving: year-round, with the calmest seas and clearest water usually in the dry season.
- Waterfalls and rice terraces: most dramatic in the wet season and just after.
Festivals and events
- Bau Nyale — the Sasak sea-worm festival on the south coast, usually February or March, linked to the legend of Princess Mandalika.
- Racing at Mandalika — MotoGP and other international races; dates vary by year.
- Perang Topat — the shared Hindu–Muslim “rice-cake war” at Pura Lingsar, usually November or December.
- Ramadan and Eid — dates move about 11 days earlier each year.
- Hindu festivals — Galungan, Kuningan and Nyepi are observed by the Balinese community in western Lombok.
Our recommendation
For most travellers, May, June and September are ideal: dry, with open trails and good surf, and without the July–August rush. For lush scenery and low prices, consider April or November and accept some rain.
