If you're weighing up when to visit Bali for a yoga retreat, here's the honest answer: there's no bad time, but the month you pick will shape your trip in real ways. Travel during the dry season, roughly April to October, and you'll find plenty of sunshine, calm seas and a lively energy at the studio. Travel during the wet season, roughly November to March, and you'll find quieter beaches, lower prices and a slower, more introspective kind of practice. Neither is better. It just depends on what you're after.
At Power of Now Oasis, people arrive at our beachfront shala every day of the year, so this is a question we field constantly. Here's what we tell our students, month by month, so you can plan a retreat or training that actually suits what you want.
Bali's Two Seasons, Explained
Bali doesn't really have four seasons the way many Western countries do. Instead, the island runs on two broad weather patterns shaped by the monsoon winds.
Dry Season
Dry season usually runs from April or May through to October. Days are warm, the air is less humid, and rain becomes far less frequent. This is Bali at its most reliable: clear mornings that are ideal for an early swim or some beach stretching, lunch outdoors without a second thought, and long golden evenings. August tends to be the coolest month, which is part of why it's one of the busiest.
Wet Season
Wet season typically runs from November through March, with January and February bringing the heaviest rain. That doesn't mean grey skies all day, though. Showers tend to arrive in the afternoon and clear again by evening, and mornings, when most yoga classes and retreat sessions take place, are usually calm and bright.
Month by Month Weather Snapshot
A quick, practical overview for planning purposes:
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January and February: the wettest months, warm and humid with regular afternoon showers, but also lush landscapes and quiet beaches.
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March: transitional, as the rain starts to ease though afternoons can still turn showery.
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April and May: the shift into dry season, with sunnier days returning and rainfall dropping steadily.
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June, July, August: peak dry season, sunny, lower humidity, cooler evenings, and Bali's busiest tourist months.
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September, October, November: the shoulder season, still mostly dry with fewer visitors than the July–August peak, before rain gradually builds back up toward December.
These are general patterns rather than guarantees. Weather can shift a little year to year, so it's worth checking a short-range forecast closer to your travel dates. For official long-range seasonal outlooks, Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) publishes forecasts covering Bali.
High Season vs Low Season: Crowds and Prices
The dry season months of June through August are Bali's high season. Flights, accommodation and the popular beachfront restaurants fill up early, so booking ahead matters if you want a good rate or a specific retreat date.
The wet season months, particularly January and February, along with the shoulder period in March, tend to be low season. This is when you'll typically find:
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Emptier beaches and a quieter shala, which plenty of students genuinely prefer for deeper focus
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More flexible accommodation availability, including at properties near our studio
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Airfares and hotel rates that are usually easier on the budget than in July or August
If flexibility matters more to you than guaranteed sunshine every day, low season is worth serious consideration.
Best Months for Retreats and Training
For a wellness retreat, timing comes down to preference. Guests who want daily beach walks and guaranteed poolside afternoons tend to choose June through September. Guests who want a calmer, more introspective retreat, with fewer people around and lower accommodation costs, often lean toward the quieter months instead. Our Bali wellness retreats are fully customised, so we build the program around your dates rather than the other way around.
For our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, the schedule runs mostly indoors and under cover, so weather affects the experience far less than it would a beach holiday. Some past students have specifically chosen a wet season intake because they wanted fewer distractions and more time turned inward. If early-bird pricing factors into your decision, our YTT is USD 2,950 at the standard rate and USD 2,450 for early-bird bookings, regardless of which intake month you choose. Full payment secures the early-bird rate, so booking a few months ahead of your preferred Yoga Teacher Training intake is the simplest way to save.
If you're still deciding which season and program suit you best, our team is genuinely happy to talk it through. Get in touch with us and we'll help you match your dates, your goals and your budget.
What Wet Season Practice Is Really Like
Students who've never visited during the wet season often assume it rains all day. In reality, mornings here are usually sunny and humid, then a shower rolls through for an hour or two in the afternoon before the sky clears again by evening. Our shala sits right on the beach with open-air studios that stay covered, so classes go ahead in almost any weather. Some of our repeat students actually love it when rain drums on the bamboo roof during a Yin class.
The lagoon out front stays calm for most of the season. This stretch of coast faces east, and a reef breaks up the swell that hits the south and west sides of the island, so the water here stays gentle nearly all year round.
Booking for Value: Tips to Get More for Less
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Book flights and accommodation two to three months ahead if you're set on the June to August window, since this is when the area fills up fastest.
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Consider the shoulder months of September, October and November for a balance of good weather and smaller crowds.
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Ask about class card and retreat packages rather than paying day by day, since bundled options are typically better value across a longer stay.
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Travel during low season if your schedule allows it. January and February retreats often mean shorter waitlists, quieter classes, and more one-on-one time with your teacher.
Why Sanur's East Coast Climate Helps
Sanur sits on Bali's east coast, away from the bigger waves and nightlife of the south and west. That location makes it feel calmer and more peaceful year-round, rainy season included, compared with the busier beach towns further south. The streets are quiet, there are proper paths for walking and cycling, and the community here is genuinely local. Whichever month you choose, it's a good place to spend your days on the mat.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Bali for a yoga retreat?
There's no single best month. June through September gives you the most reliable sunshine, while January through March offers quieter beaches, a calmer studio and better accommodation rates.
Does it rain every day during Bali's wet season?
No. Wet season rain typically falls as a short afternoon downpour, with clear mornings and evenings on most days.
Is the dry season too crowded for a retreat?
It's busier, particularly in July and August, but our retreats and training groups stay small by design, so you still get genuine personal attention from your teachers regardless of the month.
Can I still practice yoga outdoors during the wet season?
Yes. Our shala is covered and open-air, so classes run as scheduled through almost all weather conditions.
Whatever season fits your calendar, the team at Power of Now Oasis would love to help you plan the right dates for your retreat or training. Reach out to us and we'll walk you through availability, pricing and what to expect at that time of year.