Orangutans & Dragons of Indonesia Safari
Explore the rainforests and diverse islands of Indonesia, sailing aboard a traditional riverboat and luxury yacht.
From 8800 per personMenu
When to visit Indonesia
The best time to visit Indonesia is April through October as the weather is warm and sunny for beaching, walking, snorkeling and diving. Indonesia has a fairly even climate despite its vast size and thousands of islands, averaging at 30 degrees Celcius. Expect sudden tropical downpours most days during the rainy season between November and March. The shoulder months of March to May and October to November may be best for trekkers as the temperatures, crowds and prices are much lower despite the occasional shower.
Indonesia is hot all year round being on the equator, with widespread rain in the south between November to March. Despite the rain, the scenery is beautiful as you venture into the highlands, temperatures are cooler than the humid conditions further down.
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The Best Time to Visit Indonesia
January is a wet and humid month for travel in Indonesia. The monsoon season brings heavy downpours with broken spells of sunshine. For a tranquil escape, visit Maluku and Papua for incredible diving conditions and pristine beaches.
February is quiet and damp on most islands across Indonesia. Here, the rainy season continues across most of Indonesia. Low season travellers will be rewarded with accommodation discounts and reduced tourist numbers across cultural sights.
March brings a mixed-bag of weather conditions, however as drier days outweigh rain, beach days can be balanced with island exploration. Landscapes are particularly resplendent after the rains.
Blue skies return to Indonesia, attracting more tourists, and rightly so. This is a great time to enjoy diving, volcano trekking and surfing. Although it is much busier than previous months, it is still much quieter than the summertime peak.
May is an excellent time for orangutan spotting. With the dry season emerging, orangutans can be seen more easily, foraging for fruits in the forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
June sees great weather and smaller crowds; a great month for wildlife encounters. This is possibly the best month to visit Indonesia just outside the peak holiday season. Beaches appear less crowded and temples and trekking routes will also be much quieter.
July is peak season and for a good reason. Great weather and optimum conditions for outdoor activities, school holiday crowds flock to the pristine beaches and tranquil waters. Be prepared to book accommodation and activities well in advance. July and August are mating season for the Komodo dragons, so they are harder to spot.
The height of peak season, August attracts even more tourists seeking sun, sand and surf. Bali’s beaches and bars reach full capacity.
September sees peak season crowds thin out during the end of the tourist season. Komodo Island weather is relatively dry. September to November is nesting season which can also cause you to see fewer dragons.
Weather conditions become more variable in October, with the occasional tropical downpour. Komodo Island is relatively dry, with more rainfall than in September. You can see and swim with manta rays at manta point.
November sees more rain and fewer people as the rainy season draws in closer to western Indonesia. Weather during this month can often be a lottery, however it is still a very relaxed time to visit.
Marking the beginning of the rainy season, December sees Indonesia’s tourism slow right down until Christmas, when numbers spike due to the upcoming festive holidays. This is prime time for diving in Maluku’s Banda Islands.
July to August
Peak season in Indonesia falls during the months of July and August, a sweet spot for tranquil weather coinciding with European summer holidays. This is a lively time to visit with popular islands Bali and Lombrok becoming full of growing crowds soaking up the sunny weather. This is also a great time to enjoy trekking, surfing, diving and other outdoor wilderness activities such as wildlife-watching, with the exception of west Papua and Maluku, which welcomes heavy rains in these months. This high season is a great time to visit the islands, but be prepared to pre-book accommodation months in advance.
March to June & September to November
Known as the shoulder season, March to June, and September to November are a great time to visit Indonesia, with a superb combination of incredible weather, lower tourist numbers and reduced prices. Although you may see some rain nearer to March and November, sunshine is highly expected. Whilst waves thud against the shores, orangutans make most of the bounty of fruit in the jungles of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and divers head beneath the waves in search of majestic whale sharks and mola mola, during June to September. This is also a great time to scale Indonesia’s outstanding volcanoes.
January to February
Whilst Indonesia is undeniably humid during these months, the rainy season months of January and February won’t greet you with endless rains. Expect short, intense downpours, followed by rich blue skies appearing within moments of the rain falling. Tourist numbers drop here, bringing a more relaxed vibe across the islands and discounts on accommodation. This is a great time to immerse yourself in local culture by visiting the temples of Java and Bali. Orangutans and other wildlife can be harder to spot during these rainy months.
Safaris & Planning
Komodo & Sumba Indonesia Safari
Cruise Nusa Tenggara Timur, a province of more than 500 islands, and sail around an eco-region containing some of the richest biodiversity on Earth.
From 19500 per person
Undiscovered Philippines & Indonesia Safari
Cruise through the remote islands of the Philippines and Indonesia on a pioneering ship expedition as you discover the underwater world of the whale shark.
From 9500 per personThings to do in Indonesia
If you want to see Komodo Dragons
The dry season of April through to early December is the best time to observe the Komodo Dragons as they enjoy being in the sun in the morning and afternoon. They breed and are most active at the beginning of the dry season. In August and September, the Komodo Dragons dig nests to lay their eggs. In the rainy season, they conserve their warmth and stay in burrows only coming out to hunt . Komodo National Park - rainy season (jan to march) few tours run because of the winds, waves and heavy rain. April to June is one of the best times to visit, with calmer seas and more comfortable temperatures and cooler nights. July through August, the high season, is hot, sunny and more expensive and lots of tour boats. Sep/Oct/Nov for warmer weather.
If you want to see Whale Sharks
You can see whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay year-round, however, most of these majestic creatures visit the area from June to October, making this peak season for swimming with whale sharks. In the few months when Raja Ampat’s weather is less favourable, the boats offer Whale Shark liveaboard trips to Cenderawasih Bay, normally using harbours in Manokwari, Nabire or Biak for departure and return. It is recommended for you to plan your diving session here in Talisayan when the south winds are blowing during the summer months, which is around mid-June to mid-September.