November and December are the months when Lombok moves from the dry season into the rainy season. Long-term averages for Mataram show about 10 rain days in November and 17 in December, with highs of about 31°C in both months and a sea temperature of about 29°C. Indonesia’s weather agency BMKG says that in 2026 rain will stay patchy until early or mid November, and the rainy season in West Nusa Tenggara will start gradually from late November into December.
For this guide we read climate averages (weather2travel), news reports of BMKG statements, the official list of 2026 public holidays and collective leave days, and Indonesia’s tourism board event pages on 1 November 2026, and set them out month by month. Rain days are averages, so any given year can be wetter or drier.
This guide is for anyone planning a trip to Lombok in November or December, or deciding whether to go at this time of year.
Information as of November 2026
What this article covers
- ✓Temperature, rain, sea temperature and sunset in November and December
- ✓The outlook for the start of the 2026 rainy season
- ✓November events: Perang Topat and the Mandalika race
- ✓The 24 and 25 December holidays and school holidays
- ✓Planning around wet days, and spending the time in Sekotong
In short
November averages about 10 rain days and still has plenty of fine spells; December rises to about 17 and the rainy season sets in. Both months are hot with a warm sea, so plan island hopping for clear mornings and keep one flexible day you can swap if the weather turns.
What is the weather like in November and December?
The travel climate site weather2travel gives these averages for Mataram, Lombok’s provincial capital. November: a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C, 10 rain days, 150 mm of rain and 9 hours of sunshine a day. December: the same 31°C and 23°C, but 17 rain days, 219 mm of rain and 8 hours of sunshine.
Temperature barely changes; the difference is how often it rains. December has rain on more than half the days on average, but that does not mean it rains all day. We could not confirm from the sources we read what time of day the rain usually falls. The UV index is rated “11+ (extreme)” in both months.
Figure: November and December on Lombok (Mataram averages)
Sunrise is around 5:45 to 5:47 in November and moves from 5:47 to 6:00 through December. Sunset gets gradually later, from 18:12 on 1 November to 18:37 on 31 December (weather2travel, 2026 times for Mataram). Other months are covered in our month-by-month Lombok weather guide.
When does the 2026 rainy season start? The BMKG outlook
According to the news site Metro TV (28 October 2026), the head of BMKG’s Lombok weather station said West Nusa Tenggara has entered the transition from the dry to the rainy season. Rain is still patchy and the province as a whole is not yet in the rainy season; this patchy rain is expected to continue until early or mid November, with the rainy season starting gradually from late November into December.
Rain in the transition period is local convective rain, short to moderate in length, and can come with lightning and strong wind. BMKG also warned of possible flooding, landslides and lightning strikes.
Nationally, BMKG announced on 22 September 2026 that the 2026 to 2027 rainy season would begin gradually from November into December, with the wettest period from December to February (government news site infopublik). Because of El Niño and other factors, the start of the season is expected to be later than normal across about 60 percent of the country.
Take care
- The start of the rainy season is a forecast and shifts from year to year. Check the BMKG forecast in the week before you travel
- Stay off the beach and out of boats when there is thunder
- After rain, watch for mud and landslides on mountain paths and the tracks to waterfalls
November events: Perang Topat and the Mandalika race
Indonesia’s tourism board lists Perang Topat at Taman Lingsar in West Lombok Regency from 19 to 30 November 2026. It is a traditional ritual shared by Sasak Muslims and Balinese Hindus, seen as a symbol of harmony between the two faiths, and was recognised as part of Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage in 2020. Entry is free, and the event page mentions local stalls and cultural performances.
The same tourism board pages list Round 5 of the Mandalika Racing Series in Central Lombok Regency from 6 to 8 November. On race weekends, accommodation around Mandalika (Kuta Lombok) fills up, so check the dates if you plan to stay in Kuta.
Figure: Key dates on Lombok in November and December 2026
December holidays: the 24th and 25th, and school holidays
The list of 2026 public holidays and collective leave days (Good News From Indonesia, 14 January 2026) has no holidays at all in October or November. In December, Thursday the 24th is a collective leave day and Friday the 25th is the Christmas public holiday, running into the weekend of the 26th and 27th.
School holidays at the end of the year are set by each province or regency. detikBali (27 November 2025) reported that in the 2025/26 school year Central Lombok’s holiday ran from 22 to 31 December and Bali’s from 22 December to 3 January, and expected families to crowd the region again, naming Mandalika among the draws. We could not confirm the 2026 dates, but expect more domestic travellers in the second half of December and book rooms and transport early.
The sea, island hopping and Mount Rinjani in November and December
The sea stays at about 29°C in both months, so it is warm enough to swim. Once the rainy season starts, though, rain and wind can cloud the water and some days boats cannot go out. Island hopping around the South Gilis off Sekotong is best planned for a clear morning. Sekotong’s sea through the year is covered in our Sekotong weather and sea seasons guide.
Mount Rinjani was closed from 1 January to 31 March 2026 and reopened on 1 April. CNN Indonesia (21 December 2025) reported that the closure was to let the mountain’s ecosystem recover and to repair trails damaged by rain. November and December are open months, but paths get slippery on wet days. After a forest fire on the Torean side on 22 September 2026, katadata (3 October 2026) reported five trails open as of 3 October: Sembalun, Senaru, Timbanuh, Tetebatu and Aik Berik. We could not confirm the dates of any 2027 closure, so if you plan to climb from January onwards, check the national park’s announcements.
As of a Koran Jakarta report on 29 October 2026, the head of the national park office said Torean was the only one of the six trails still closed, with the other five open. Before you climb, check which trails are open in the national park’s announcements.
How to plan a November or December trip
When rain becomes more frequent, the key is to build in a flexible day. Put island hopping and any boat journeys early in the trip so they can move to a later day if rain or wind stops them, and do not plan a boat journey the day before an international flight.
Have an indoor plan ready for wet days, such as a museum or shopping centre in Mataram or a pottery village, so your trip still works if the weather changes. More ideas for the wet months are in Lombok in the rainy season.
- ✓Island hopping and boat days placed early in the trip
- ✓One day left free to swap if it rains
- ✓No boat journey the day before an international flight
- ✓Rain gear and a dry bag for things that must not get wet
- ✓Rooms and transport booked early for late December
A note from Sekotong
In Sekotong, a bamboo restaurant is planned to open on 7 November 2026, and kayaking (seven kayaks) is planned to start the same day. Prices are Rp120,000 an hour for a paddle kayak for two or three, Rp175,000 for a one-person pedal kayak and Rp300,000 per person for a guided tour. The beach cafe SAKURA CAFE is open 10:00 to 22:00 and closed on Mondays.
Downsides, and who November and December suit
First the downsides. December averages about 17 rain days, and some rain comes with thunder and strong wind. On some days rain or wind keeps boats in, which can push back island hopping or boat transfers. The second half of December overlaps with domestic holidays, so popular beaches and hotels get busy.
Early to mid November is still expected to bring plenty of dry days, and there are events to see. The heat and strong sun do not change, so these months suit people who want to spend time in the sea, avoid the dry-season crowds and have some slack in their plans. The Semelar Beach Village stay programme runs from 3 nights/4 days to 5 nights/6 days at Rp4,800,000 per person, including airport transfers, local transport, a guide, a welcome dinner and a massage; flights and accommodation are separate. Where you can stay is on our Stay page and what you can do in the village on Things to Do.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is November the rainy season on Lombok?
It is the transition from the dry to the rainy season. Mataram averages about 10 rain days in November, and for 2026 BMKG expects the rainy season to start gradually from late November into December.
Q. What is the temperature on Lombok in December?
The Mataram average is a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C. The sea is about 29°C.
Q. Can you swim in November and December?
Yes, the water is about 29°C. On days of heavy rain or strong wind the water can be cloudy and boats may not go out, so plan sea days for clear mornings.
Q. Is Christmas a holiday in Indonesia?
In 2026, 24 December is a collective leave day and 25 December is the Christmas public holiday. The second half of December overlaps with school holidays and sees more domestic travellers.
Q. What events are on in November?
In 2026, Perang Topat runs from 19 to 30 November at Taman Lingsar in West Lombok, and Round 5 of the Mandalika Racing Series is on 6 to 8 November in Central Lombok.
Summary
Lombok averages about 10 rain days in November and about 17 in December, with highs around 31°C and a sea temperature of about 29°C. In 2026 the rainy season is expected to start gradually from late November into December.
November has events such as Perang Topat, and December has holidays on the 24th and 25th, with crowds in the second half of the month. Plan island hopping for clear mornings and leave a day you can swap if it rains (as of November 2026).
Related reading
- Lombok in the Rainy SeasonHow to enjoy November to March
- Sekotong Weather by MonthRain, sea and the best time for island hopping
- Lombok Month by MonthWeather, sea and events for each month
Rain, the sea, Ramadan and the 2027 holidays from January to March are covered in Lombok in January to March.
Rain, the sea, the 2027 MotoGP and school breaks in September and October are covered in Lombok in September and October.
SEMELAR BEACH VILLAGE
Come and spend some time in the Sekotong village we call home
About 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Lombok International Airport. We offer a stay programme of 3 nights/4 days or more, with island trips by local boat and sunsets at SAKURA CAFE. The villas are due to be completed in stages from 2027.
Sources used for this article
- weather2travel, Lombok weather in November (Mataram averages: temperature, rain days, rainfall, sunshine, sea temperature, UV, 2026 sunrise and sunset)https://weather2travel.com/lombok/november/
- weather2travel, Lombok weather in December (Mataram averages and 2026 sunrise and sunset)https://weather2travel.com/lombok/december/
- Metro TV, BMKG: NTB Mulai Masuki Peralihan Musim Hujan (28 October 2026; outlook for the start of the rainy season in West Nusa Tenggara, transition-period rain)https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/kpLCvZqA-bmkg-ntb-mulai-masuki-peralihan-musim-hujan
- infopublik, BMKG Ungkap Prediksi Musim Hujan 2026/2027 Mulai November, Puncak Desember (announced 22 September 2026; national onset and peak)https://infopublik.id/kategori/nasional-sosial-budaya/990317/bmkg-ungkap-prediksi-musim-hujan-2026-2027-mulai-november-puncak-desember
- Good News From Indonesia, Daftar Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2026 (14 January 2026; 2026 public holidays and collective leave)https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2026/01/14/catat-ini-daftar-hari-libur-nasional-dan-cuti-bersama-tahun-2026
- detikBali, Libur 22 Desember-4 Januari, Yuk Nikmati Liburan Sekolah di Bali, NTT, dan NTB (27 November 2025; 2025/26 year-end school holidays)https://www.detik.com/bali/berita/d-8231263/libur-22-desember-4-januari-yuk-nikmati-liburan-sekolah-di-bali-ntt-dan-ntb
- Indonesia Travel (tourism board), Perang Topat 2026 (19 to 30 November 2026, Taman Lingsar, free entry)https://www.indonesia.travel/au-en/events/event-detail/perang-topat-2026
- Indonesia Travel, Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat (event listing: Mandalika Racing Series Round 5, 6 to 8 November 2026)https://www.indonesia.travel/gb-en/destination/bali-nusa-tenggara/west-nusa-tenggara/museum-negeri-nusa-tenggara-barat/
- CNN Indonesia, Semua Jalur Pendakian Rinjani Ditutup Hingga April 2026 (21 December 2025; reasons for the closure)https://www.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20251221190557-269-1309289/semua-jalur-pendakian-rinjani-ditutup-hingga-april-2026
- katadata, Lima Jalur Pendakian Gunung Rinjani Kembali Dibuka, Simak Rutenya (3 October 2026; the 22 September fire on the Torean side, the five open trails)https://katadata.co.id/berita/nasional/6ac073578f7e1/lima-jalur-pendakian-gunung-rinjani-kembali-dibuka-simak-rutenya
- Koran Jakarta, 5 Jalur Pendakian Gunung Rinjani Kembali Dibuka Pasca-Kebakaran (29 October 2026; the park office head on Torean being the only one of the six trails still closed)https://koran-jakarta.com/2026-10-29/5-jalur-pendakian-gunung-rinjani-kembali-dibuka-pasca-kebakaran
