Bali, one of the world’s most-visited island destinations, is grappling with a new spell of extreme weather as torrential rains, strong winds and high sea waves disrupt travel plans and prompt urgent safety advisories for holidaymakers at the height of Indonesia’s rainy season.

More News

Severe Conditions Grip Bali During Peak Rainy Season

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a series of early warnings in January 2026 for Bali and surrounding waters, highlighting the risk of heavy downpours, thunderstorms and powerful gusts across the island. The alerts coincide with the peak of the national rainy season, which BMKG has flagged as running from November 2025 through February 2026, with Bali’s most intense phase forecast between January and February.

Over recent days, localized flooding, overflowing drainage, fallen trees and temporary power interruptions have been reported in parts of Denpasar, Badung and Gianyar regencies, according to local authorities and Indonesian media. In several coastal areas, persistent rain has combined with stormy seas to erode beaches and push debris onto shorelines popular with tourists.

Officials stress that the current pattern is part of a broader hydrometeorological risk facing much of Indonesia during this season, but note that Bali’s dense concentration of visitors and tourism infrastructure makes the island particularly vulnerable to disruption. Travelers are being urged to continue with their plans where possible, but to adapt itineraries, follow official advisories and prioritize safety over strict schedules.

High Sea Waves and Strong Winds Disrupt Sea Crossings

The most visible impact for tourists over the last week has been at sea. BMKG’s maritime bulletins, picked up by regional outlets, warn that waves in southern Bali waters, including the Bali Strait, Badung Strait and the southern section of the Lombok Strait, can reach up to four meters between January 20 and January 24. Wind speeds over surrounding seas have been clocked at up to 25 to 30 knots, or more than 50 kilometers per hour in some areas.

As a result, port authorities temporarily suspended all fast boat services between Bali, the Gili Islands and Lombok on January 21, 2026, citing unsafe sea conditions and the need to protect passengers, crew and vessels. Operators serving routes from Sanur, Padangbai and other coastal hubs announced that services would remain halted until conditions ease and new clearance is issued.

The suspension has stranded or delayed hundreds of travelers who had planned to move on to the Gili Islands or Lombok as part of multi-stop itineraries. Some have been forced to extend their stays in Bali, while others are scrambling to secure limited seats on domestic flights or rebook their island-hopping segments for later in the week.

BMKG and local harbor masters warn that even when crossings resume, fast boats and smaller ferries could face intermittent disruptions as long as high-wave warnings remain in place. Larger roll-on roll-off ferries on the main Padangbai to Lembar corridor are under close monitoring, with captains instructed to adjust speed and schedules based on real-time weather assessments.

Many of the island’s most famous beach destinations are directly affected by the current conditions. The Bali Meteorology office has advised heightened vigilance along south-facing coastlines, including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran and the surf breaks around the Bukit Peninsula, where strong swells are colliding with seasonal high tides.

Hotels and beach clubs along these stretches report that lifeguards have boosted patrols and in some cases closed sections of beach to swimmers when rip currents intensify or waves begin to crash higher up the shore. Red flags indicating no-swim conditions have appeared more frequently in recent days, particularly during afternoon peak tides, and visitors are being repeatedly reminded not to ignore local signage.

On the east coast, including Sanur and Padangbai, choppy waters and fast-changing conditions have complicated both leisure activities and boat departures. Operators offering snorkeling trips and day cruises to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan have been forced to cancel or significantly modify itineraries, limiting access to more exposed sites and prioritizing sheltered bays when possible.

Authorities underscore that shorelines that appear calm at first glance may conceal powerful undercurrents or sudden wave sets linked to weather systems offshore. Tourists less familiar with ocean hazards are being asked to seek local advice before entering the water, keep a close eye on children and avoid venturing onto slippery rocks or breakwaters for photographs during storms.

Heavy Rains Raise Flood and Landslide Risks Inland

While the focus for many visitors is on Bali’s beaches, the island’s interior is also contending with the side effects of intense rains. BMKG and Indonesia’s disaster management officials have warned that saturated soils on steep slopes increase the risk of landslides, particularly in central and northern regencies such as Gianyar, Bangli, Buleleng and Tabanan, home to rice terraces, waterfalls and mountain viewpoints popular with tour groups.

Over the past several months, similar weather conditions across Indonesia have triggered flash floods, overflowing rivers and slope failures in other provinces, prompting national agencies to call for better disaster preparedness. Bali’s provincial authorities have adopted many of the same messages this month, urging communities near ravines, riverbanks and unstable hillsides to remain alert and to report signs such as soil cracking, leaning trees or unusual water seepage.

For tourists, this means that access to some inland attractions may be curtailed at short notice. Local guides have begun rerouting hikes away from potentially unstable trails, while some waterfall sites close temporarily when river levels rise rapidly or visibility drops. Tour operators advise visitors to carry rain gear, wear sturdy footwear and expect slower journey times on narrow rural roads that can become slick or partially obstructed by debris.

Urban flooding remains a concern in low-lying parts of Denpasar and other built-up areas, where heavy downpours can overwhelm drainage systems. Travelers are being told to allow extra time for airport transfers and inter-hotel moves during storms, and to be patient when taxis or ride-hailing drivers need to navigate around waterlogged streets.

Authorities and Tourism Sector Coordinate Safety Measures

The latest warnings come as Indonesian officials seek to reassure international markets that Bali remains open for tourism while carefully managing climate-related risks. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, along with Bali’s provincial government, has reiterated that safety protocols are being enforced in close cooperation with BMKG, port authorities, police and local disaster agencies.

In a recent advisory reported by national media, tourism officials encouraged visitors to monitor official weather updates, consult hotels and tour operators before undertaking excursions, and avoid known risk zones during adverse conditions. The ministry has also pressed accommodation providers and attractions to keep guests informed through in-house briefings, digital notice boards and concierge desks, rather than relying solely on social media or word of mouth.

On the ground, community-based organizations and village-level disaster response teams have been mobilized to clear drains, trim vulnerable tree branches, and remove rubbish that could clog waterways. These preventive actions are designed to minimize the likelihood that heavy rain will rapidly turn into damaging floods in residential and tourism districts.

Operators in Bali’s travel industry, from surf schools to rafting companies, emphasize that they are accustomed to working around seasonal weather patterns, but say the intensity and unpredictability of some recent events demand even greater flexibility and caution. Many note that they now build weather contingency plans and emergency communication procedures into standard operating guidelines as a matter of routine.

Climate Patterns and Cyclone Activity Behind the Turbulence

Meteorologists link Bali’s current spell of unsettled weather to a combination of large-scale climate patterns in the region and localized atmospheric disturbances. BMKG has previously cited the influence of the Asian monsoon, warmer than average sea surface temperatures, and equatorial wave dynamics in intensifying rainfall across Indonesia during this rainy season window.

Separately, Indonesian research agencies have highlighted the role of developing tropical disturbances in the nearby seas that, even without making direct landfall in Bali, can generate strong pressure gradients and wind fields capable of pushing up wave heights in the Bali Strait and surrounding waters. These systems also interact with moist air masses to trigger bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms over the archipelago.

Scientists warn that climate variability and long-term warming trends may increase the frequency of intense rainfall episodes and extreme sea conditions in coming years, particularly during peak monsoon months. For heavily exposed tourism hubs such as Bali, this raises questions about how coastal infrastructure, beaches and marine operations are planned and managed over the longer term.

Local officials and industry leaders say they are working to integrate more robust weather and ocean forecasting tools into day-to-day decision-making, including the use of updated satellite observations and increasingly sophisticated models that can provide several days of lead time for dangerous waves or storms.

What Tourists Should Do Now to Stay Safe

For travelers already in Bali or due to arrive in the coming days, the core message from authorities and tourism operators is to remain informed, stay flexible and respect local advice. Visitors are urged to check the latest BMKG bulletins and airport or port announcements through reliable channels, and to confirm the status of boat transfers, day trips and outdoor activities with their providers before setting out.

Holidaymakers planning island hops to the Gilis, Lombok or Nusa Penida are being advised to have alternative arrangements in mind in case crossings are postponed or canceled. That might include scheduling extra nights in Bali, adjusting flight connections, or focusing itineraries on safer inland or urban experiences until conditions at sea improve.

On the beaches, tourists are reminded to heed flag systems and follow instructions from lifeguards, avoiding swimming or surfing outside of designated safe zones. Even strong swimmers are warned not to underestimate rip currents or the force of incoming sets when seas are agitated by distant storms. Those traveling with children are encouraged to keep them well clear of the waterline during periods of rough surf or high tides.

Health and safety experts also recommend carrying basic rain protection, any necessary personal medication and a small emergency kit when on day trips, as well as keeping electronic devices charged in case of short power interruptions. Simple precautions such as not parking vehicles under large trees, staying away from riverbanks during storms, and being cautious on wet steps and tiles can reduce the risk of accident or injury.

Travel Outlook as Bali Rides Out the Storms

Despite the current challenges, flights to and from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport continue to operate broadly as scheduled, with only occasional weather-related delays reported. Most hotels, restaurants and attractions remain open, adjusting operations on a day to day basis in line with conditions. Industry representatives note that visitor numbers are still strong for this time of year, underscoring Bali’s enduring appeal even in the midst of seasonal turbulence.

Looking ahead, meteorologists expect the island to remain under the influence of the monsoon for several more weeks, though conditions may fluctuate between intense storm periods and calmer interludes. BMKG will continue to issue detailed outlooks for both land and sea, enabling local authorities and businesses to fine-tune their responses.

For travelers willing to adapt plans around the weather, Bali can still offer rewarding experiences during the rainy season, from cultural visits and wellness retreats to culinary exploration and indoor attractions. Yet the current episode serves as a reminder that this tropical paradise is not immune to the growing volatility of regional climate systems, and that safe, resilient tourism depends on well-informed choices by both providers and guests.

As Bali confronts another round of heavy rains, strong winds and pounding surf, the island’s message to the world is clear. Visitors remain welcome, but they are being asked to treat the elements with respect, listen closely to local guidance, and travel with an extra measure of patience as nature sets the pace.