Visiting Indonesia in October

The wet weather is on the horizon again this month, so while most places across Indonesia are still warm and sunny, you can expect more regular showers in many places as the months go on. Northern Sumatra is particularly wet, with heavy rainfall affecting some of the roads, so while it’s often hot and dry in the south, it’s not the best time to visit this corner of the country.

Nature

If you’re hoping to see orangutans in the rainforest, look towards Kalimantan instead. It’s often humid and temperatures can reach 32C but the weather is still mostly dry – you can also plan a river cruise if you prefer to explore from the water. It’s starting to get rainier around Samosir Island in Lake Toba if you’re planning to explore more of Kalimantan’s sights.

If you’re planning to climb one of Indonesia’s volcanoes, such as Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Mount Bromo or the Ijen Plateau in Java, this is the last month to go before the rain makes it too dangerous – the best time to see the Dieng Peninsula is already past. Elsewhere in Java, it’s still a good month to visit Borobudur and Bandung before the worst of the rains.

It’s also the last month for a holiday in Indonesia if you’re hoping to dive in Nusa Tenggara, with good conditions off Lombok, the Gili Islands and in the Komodo National Park, as well as a chance to see Komodo dragons or relax on the white sand beaches of Flores. Away from the beach, it’s still a good month to head into the hills of Tetebatu on Lombok before the rains arrive.

Bali

The best of the diving is over in Bali, but visit towards the beginning of the month and you can still enjoy sunny beach days around Sanur, Lovina, Jimbaran and Paradise Beach – any rain tends to be short downpours rather than day-long monsoon rainfall. Inland, Ubud and the hills are cooler and rainier than the coast this month though. Why not discover another side to Bali by eating with a local family for a taste of authentic daily life, great whatever the weather.

As wet weather looms on the horizon for the central and western parts of Indonesia, the eastern islands are starting to enjoy some of their best weather again after the rainy months. The central Moluccas and the Banda Islands are sunny and dry, although it’s rainy across the southern and northern Moluccas, while Raja Ampat is enjoying sun again too. It’s also the hottest month of the year in Sulawesi.

Festivals: Kuta Karnival takes place on Kuta beach in Bali during October, with Balinese arts and a food festival during the event, along with a sand sculpture and surf competitions.

Best for: Escaping the crowds, orangutans in Kalimantan, diving in Nusa Tenggara, beaches