Weather in Bali in December

How December compares

December is the 6th warmest month of the year in Bali and ranks 20th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Bali is 20.0°C warmer by day and 21.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Bali peaks at 27.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.2°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 21 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.5°C; one night in ten drops to 23.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 32.4°C (2019-12-08) and the coldest night 22.8°C (1992-12-22).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 26 days with 1 mm or more, 249 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2007 with 568 mm, the driest 2009 with 50 mm. Humidity averages 86%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 28.8°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.3°C to 29.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (28.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:56 and sets about 18:33 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 85%.

Is December a good time to visit Bali?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Bali on our scoring are August, September, July; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Hot days, warm nights and a comfortable sea

The heat is steady rather than regularly extreme: just 5% of days reach 30°C, yet humidity of 86% can make being outdoors feel sticky. Choose loose, light clothing and give yourself room to slow down at midday rather than packing the day with activity. Nights offer little cooling, so air conditioning is a useful consideration when choosing accommodation. The sea averages about 29°C, making water temperature a strong point for swimmers. That warmth does not tell you about waves or local swimming conditions, though, so do not treat a comfortable sea temperature as a guarantee that swimming will be suitable every day.

Plan around rain, not guaranteed sunshine

Rain is the main compromise in December, and the sunshine figure matters as much as the wet-day total. There are about 1.9 hours of sunshine a day within 12.5 hours of daylight, so long daylight hours should not be mistaken for long sunny spells. A rainy day does not necessarily mean continuous rain, but these averages cannot promise a dry slot for your plans. Keep outdoor arrangements flexible, carry a lightweight waterproof and choose somewhere you would be comfortable spending time during wet weather. December makes more sense if warmth matters more to you than clear skies; travellers seeking dependable sun should be cautious.