Lombok - When to Visit

When to Visit Lombok

Climate guide & best times to travel

Monthly Climate Data for Lombok Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview 15°C 19°C 24°C 29°C 34°C Rainfall (mm) 0 5 10 Jan Jan: 27.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 8mm rain Feb Feb: 27.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 8mm rain Mar Mar: 28.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 8mm rain Apr Apr: 28.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 5mm rain May May: 28.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 3mm rain Jun Jun: 28.0°C high, 21.0°C low, 3mm rain Jul Jul: 27.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 3mm rain Aug Aug: 27.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 3mm rain Sep Sep: 28.0°C high, 21.0°C low, 5mm rain Oct Oct: 29.0°C high, 21.0°C low, 5mm rain Nov Nov: 28.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 10mm rain Dec Dec: 28.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 10mm rain Temperature Rainfall
Lombok sits just east of Bali. Yet its climate dances to its own beat. Know that rhythm and you will collect stories for years. Ignore it and you will spend afternoons huddled under a warung awning watching rain. The island splits its year into two broad seasons. From May through August, southeast trade winds sweep dry air across the land, keeping rainfall scarce and skies absurdly clear. These are the postcard days when sea and sky stay razor sharp until sunset. November through March brings the wet season, though wet is a mild word here. Totals stay modest compared to Borneo or northern Sumatra. Expect afternoon cloud buildups and sharp showers, rarely the day-long deluges that trap travelers elsewhere. Temperature barely budges year-round. Highs stick between 27°C (80°F) and 29°C (84°F). Nights cool only to 20-22°C (68-72°F). Humidity hovers at 70 percent, noticeable yet lighter than Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Breathable clothing helps. But you will not wilt before lunch. Altitude changes everything. Head toward Mount Rinjani or the highland village of Tetebatu and you will feel real coolness no matter the month.

Best Time to Visit

Recommended timing for different travel styles.

Beach and relaxation
June through August delivers dry skies, calm seas, and steady sunshine. The Gili Islands and the surf breaks around Kuta Lombok are at their most accessible. Lower humidity makes long beach days comfortable, not just bearable.
Cultural exploration
Shoulder months of April and October suit savvy travelers. You skip peak crowds. Weather stays pleasant. Local festivals feel less staged when the island is not at full tourist capacity.
Adventure and hiking
Adventure and hiking enthusiasts targeting Mount Rinjani should aim for July or August. Trails are driest then. Visibility from the crater rim is clearest. The Rinjani summit is typically closed during the wet season for safety. This is practical, not preference.
Budget
Budget travelers willing to swap peak season certainty for lower costs should eye November and April. Visitor numbers drop. Accommodation rates soften. Weather remains workable even if less guaranteed.

What to Pack

Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Lombok.

Year-Round Essentials
high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen
You will use it every month of the year. It protects the coral ecosystems around the Gilis that make the diving worthwhile.
lightweight dry bag
It is useful whether you are crossing to the islands by speedboat or hiking up toward the Rinjani crater in unpredictable mountain weather.
reef-safe insect repellent
It matters more than many first-timers expect. Garden-facing bungalows and rice paddies near Tetebatu can be buggy.
quick-dry travel towel
It earns its place in any bag. Accommodation quality varies across the island. Having your own is quietly useful.
headlamp with spare batteries
Carry one if you are planning any early morning hikes. Rinjani summit attempts traditionally start before dawn.
reusable water bottle with a filter
It reduces both expense and plastic waste. Tap water is not safe to drink on the island.
light packable rain jacket
Have one from November through March. Showers are rarely long. A good jacket keeps you comfortable during them.
dry season (May through August)
Clothing
lightweight linen or technical shirts
Footwear
Sandals that handle both reef walking and cobblestone streets serve better than flip-flops alone.
Layering Tip
Cooler evenings in July and August make a thin layer useful if you plan to sit outdoors after dark.
wet season (November through March)
Clothing
quick-dry fabrics
Footwear
Waterproof sandals or river shoes are more versatile than trainers during this period. Muddy paths to Lombok's waterfalls demand grip.
Plug Type
C and F, the round two-pin European style.
Voltage
230 volts at 50Hz.
Adapter Note
Traveling from North America or the UK? A universal adapter is necessary. Check that your electronics support 100-240V. Most modern laptops, phone chargers, and cameras do. Hair dryers and electric shavers often do not. A small multi-port USB charger with an adapter is more practical than carrying multiple adapters.
Skip These Items
Skip the heavy rain poncho. It is bulkier than a packable jacket and miserable in heat. Leave formal shoes at home. Even the better restaurants on Lombok only ask for smart casual. Trainers work fine. Pack light. Skip the Bali guidebook that mentions Lombok in passing. It will mislead you on specifics. Use local apps instead. Save space. Do not bring high-end camera gear without full insurance and waterproof housing. Boat crossings splash. Humidity fogs lenses. Protect your kit. Jeans are dead weight here. They dry slowly. They feel hot. One pair is enough. Choose linen or quick-dry nylon instead.
Full Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.

View Lombok Packing List →

Month-by-Month Guide

Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.

January

This is the heart of the wet season on Lombok. Warm afternoons pause for short, heavy showers. They usually hit late afternoon or evening, not all day.

High 27°C (80°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 8mm
Crowds Medium
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February

The island is quieter than you might expect for a peak travel month elsewhere. Green hills behind Senaru look their most lush.

High 27°C (80°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 8mm
Crowds Low
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March

The tail end of the wet season is approaching. Skies clear more reliably as the month progresses.

High 28°C (82°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 8mm
Crowds Low
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April

Days are largely sunny. Crowds have not yet reached peak season levels. Landscape keeps its wet season greenness.

High 28°C (82°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 5mm
Crowds Low to Medium
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May

The dry season is properly underway. Beaches around Kuta and Selong Belanak start filling with travelers who did their homework on timing.

High 28°C (83°F)
Low 22°C (71°F)
Rainfall 3mm
Crowds Medium
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June

Evenings are fractionally cooler than May. Outdoor dining and wandering the streets of Mataram feel more pleasant after dark.

High 28°C (82°F)
Low 21°C (70°F)
Rainfall 3mm
Crowds Medium to High
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July

Book accommodation well ahead, around the Gili Islands.

High 27°C (80°F)
Low 20°C (68°F)
Rainfall 3mm
Crowds High
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August

Cooler lows make sleeping without air conditioning comfortable. Sea visibility around the Gilis tends to be excellent for snorkeling and diving.

High 27°C (81°F)
Low 20°C (68°F)
Rainfall 3mm
Crowds High
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September

Crowds thin noticeably after European summer holidays end. This is one of Lombok's underrated months.

High 28°C (83°F)
Low 21°C (69°F)
Rainfall 5mm
Crowds Medium
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October

Lombok is relaxed and local-feeling in October. Push your trip a month or two past the peak.

High 29°C (84°F)
Low 21°C (71°F)
Rainfall 5mm
Crowds Low to Medium
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November

Expect a few more overcast mornings and the occasional afternoon squall. Nothing rules out beach days or hikes to the waterfalls near Senaru.

High 28°C (83°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 10mm
Crowds Low
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December

The holiday period brings a noticeable uptick in visitors. Crowds spike around Christmas and New Year. Lombok feels livelier than November's quiet pace would suggest.

High 28°C (82°F)
Low 22°C (72°F)
Rainfall 10mm
Crowds Medium
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