Weather in Bali in January

How January compares

January is the 7th warmest month of the year in Bali and ranks 21st of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Bali is 20.2°C warmer by day and 22.3°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Bali peaks at 27.6°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 22 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.5°C; one night in ten drops to 23.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 32.5°C (2020-01-27) and the coldest night 22.8°C (1997-01-11).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 28 days with 1 mm or more, 287 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2017 with 482 mm, the driest 2007 with 84 mm. Humidity averages 86%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 28.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.2°C to 29.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (28.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:11 and sets about 18:46 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 87%.

Is January 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.

Warm enough for swimming, but humid rather than comfortably dry

Expect summer clothing to be useful throughout the day and into the evening: average night lows are 24.5°C, so there is little cooling after sunset. Humidity is 86%, which can make outdoor activity feel sticky even when the temperature does not look especially high. Loose, breathable clothes and a relaxed pace around midday are sensible choices. Only 5% of days reach 30°C, so extreme daytime heat is not the main concern; persistent warmth and humidity are more relevant. The sea is comfortably warm for swimming, but water temperature alone should not decide when you enter: check local conditions rather than assuming a warm sea is always suitable.

Plan around rain, not guaranteed beach days

With rain on about 28 days, January calls for plans you can change without much frustration. Keep outdoor time flexible, carry a light waterproof and protect anything that needs to stay dry. A rainy day does not necessarily mean rain throughout the day, but it would be unwise to count on long dry spells. Sunshine averages just 1.7 hours within 12.5 hours of daylight, so there is ample daylight without much bright sun. This month suits travellers who can enjoy the warmth despite cloud and wet weather. If sitting outside in sunshine is the main reason for the trip, the weather is a substantial compromise rather than a minor inconvenience.