Lombok in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Lombok

31°C (88°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

85 mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Prime diving season begins - visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) around the Gilis as dry season winds settle
Sasak planting festivals throughout May offer authentic cultural experiences as rice terraces flood for new planting
Hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak season while weather remains excellent - sweet spot for value
Perfect hiking conditions on Rinjani - clear morning views before 10am, cooler temperatures at altitude, minimal trail closures

Considerations

Australian school holiday crowds (late April spillover) mean popular Gili Islands stay busy until mid-May
Afternoon humidity peaks at 80% between 1-4pm, making midday outdoor activities uncomfortable without shade
Traditional fishing season shift means some boat schedules to remote beaches become irregular

Best Activities in May

Mount Rinjani Trekking Routes

May offers ideal Rinjani conditions with clear morning visibility, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures dropping to 15°C (59°F) at Senaru Crater Rim. The dry season has settled but without the harsh heat of later months. Wildflowers bloom along the Sembalun route.

Booking Tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best guide availability. Look for operators with proper safety equipment and experience certificates. Multi-day treks range ฿2,800-4,500 depending on route length. Check current trail conditions in booking section below.

Gili Islands Diving Expeditions

May marks the beginning of premium diving season as southeast trade winds calm and visibility improves dramatically. Water temperature holds steady at 27°C (81°F) while plankton blooms settle, revealing the best coral conditions before tourist peak season.

Booking Tip: Book 5-7 days ahead through PADI-certified operators. Two-dive trips typically cost ฿1,800-2,800. Look for operators with nitrox availability and small group sizes (max 6 divers). See current diving packages in booking section below.

Traditional Sasak Village Cycling Tours

May coincides with rice planting season when terraced villages like Sukarara and Sade come alive with traditional activities. Morning temperatures stay comfortable at 26°C (79°F) for cycling, and you'll witness authentic ceremonies rarely seen by tourists.

Booking Tip: Start early (7am) to avoid midday heat and catch morning village activities. Half-day tours range ฿800-1,200 including bike rental and guide. Book through guesthouses or see current cultural cycling options below.

South Coast Surf Breaks

May delivers consistent 1-2 m (3-6 ft) swells from southern ocean storms while maintaining offshore morning winds. Water stays warm at 26°C (79°F) and crowds thin out significantly compared to dry season peak. Perfect for intermediate surfers.

Booking Tip: Rent boards locally in Kuta Lombok for ฿150-250/day. Surf lessons cost ฿400-600 for 2 hours. Best conditions are dawn until 11am. Check current surf packages and board rentals in booking options below.

Sekotong Peninsula Island Hopping

May offers calm seas perfect for accessing remote Sekotong islands with crystal clear snorkeling before seasonal tourist influx. Desert islands like Gili Nanggu see fewer than 20 visitors daily compared to 200+ in peak season.

Booking Tip: Full-day island hopping tours cost ฿1,200-1,800 including lunch and snorkeling gear. Book through local operators in Sekotong village or via guesthouses. Weather is most stable 8am-4pm. See current island tour options below.

Senggigi Sunset Food Markets

May evenings bring perfect conditions for exploring local food scenes as humidity drops after 5pm. Traditional markets serve seasonal specialties like plecing kangkung made with freshly harvested water spinach and gula aren palm sugar from active tapping season.

Booking Tip: Evening food walking tours range ฿600-900 per person. Start after 6pm when temperatures cool to 26°C (79°F). Look for tours that include traditional markets plus beachfront warungs. Check current food tour options in booking section below.

May Events & Festivals

Mid to Late May

Bau Nyale Festival

Annual sea worm harvesting celebration at Seger Beach where locals gather nyale worms that appear once yearly. Features traditional Sasak poetry competitions, stick fighting demonstrations, and ceremonial feasts. Timing depends on lunar calendar.

Throughout May

Pujawali Rice Planting Ceremonies

Traditional Sasak Hindu ceremonies blessing new rice plantings across central Lombok villages. Features gamelan orchestras, traditional dance, and community feasts. Most accessible in villages around Praya and Narmada.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry synthetic hiking pants - morning dew on Rinjani trails stays wet until 9am, cotton takes hours to dry in 70% humidity

Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index hits 8 daily and Indonesian brands often lack adequate protection for fair skin

Lightweight merino wool base layer - temperature drops to 15°C (59°F) at Rinjani crater rim, essential for overnight treks

Breathable rain jacket (not poncho) - afternoon showers bring 20 kph winds, ponchos become useless

Closed-toe water shoes - rocky beach entries at Sekotong islands and sharp coral at Gili diving spots

High-quality insect repellent with 20%+ DEET - rice planting season increases mosquito populations near villages

Electrolyte powder packets - 31°C (88°F) heat plus 70% humidity causes rapid dehydration, local shops rarely stock electrolytes

Quick-access dry bag for electronics - unexpected boat spray common during inter-island transfers in May swells

Cotton sarong for temple visits - required at Hindu temples during rice blessing ceremonies, synthetic materials often rejected

Headlamp with red light setting - essential for pre-dawn Rinjani summit attempts, preserves night vision better than phone flashlight

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations on Gili Trawangan's quieter eastern side in May - western beaches get afternoon winds that kick up sand, while east side stays calm until evening

Visit traditional pottery village Banyumulek on weekday mornings when artisans fire kilns - afternoon heat makes clay work impossible and weekends bring tour groups

Hire motorbikes before 8am or after 4pm in May - midday heat makes metal surfaces untouchable and traffic increases as locals avoid peak sun hours

Traditional markets like Ampenan close by 11am in May heat - arrive by 7am for best selection and comfortable shopping temperatures before vendors pack up early

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning outdoor activities between 11am-3pm when heat index reaches 38°C (100°F) due to combined temperature and humidity - locals retreat indoors during these hours

Bringing only reef-safe sunscreen but forgetting lip balm with SPF - intense UV and salt spray cause severe lip burning that ruins diving/snorkeling experiences

Booking same-day boat transfers to Gilis without checking afternoon wind forecasts - seas can turn choppy after 2pm, causing seasickness and cancelled trips