Bali’s Dry Season Brings Summer Heat And Sunburn Risks To Tourists

Bali and Indonesia are transitioning into the dry season after experiencing one of the most significant rainy seasons in recent memory, though the change brings concerns about increased temperatures, UV exposure, and potential drought conditions.

Dry Season Arrives with Heat Concerns

Meteorological specialists are warning residents and tourists about the heightened risk of UV exposure as temperatures rise. Over the last few days, temperatures in Central Denpasar have reached 33-35 degrees Celsius, and are expected to persist into April.

Made Sudarma Yadnya, a forecaster at the Denpasar Region III Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BBMKG), explained that the sun’s position is shifting toward the equator as March approaches. This results in sunlight hitting Indonesia, including Bali, at a more perpendicular angle, increasing the heat impact.

“This increases the intensity of solar radiation, which also increases the Earth’s surface temperature, especially during the day,” Yadnya said.

Despite the dominant heat, short periods of heavy rain are still possible during this transitional period. Yadnya advised the public to use UV protective equipment such as sunscreen, hats, or umbrellas, and to maintain adequate fluid intake to avoid dehydration.

Early Dry Season Onset Predicted

Officials from the BMKG announced earlier this month that most parts of Indonesia are predicted to enter the dry season earlier than usual in 2026. The ENSO index is currently at -0.28, considered neutral, and is expected to remain so through June 2026.

Regions predicted to experience an earlier onset of the dry season include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, southern and eastern Kalimantan, most of Sulawesi, Maluku, and parts of Papua.

“All of this predictive information constitutes an early warning that must be immediately followed up with concrete steps (early action) by stakeholders to minimize the risk of drought in Indonesia,” said Head of BMKG, Teuku Faisal Fathani.

Concerns exist that an extreme dry season could disproportionately impact farming communities and areas prone to water shortages, such as the Gili Islands. Travelers to the Gili Islands are advised to be mindful of water consumption and consider carrying water sanitization droplets or a water filter.