This information is current as of August 2026. Lombok has two clear seasons: a dry season (roughly April to October) and a rainy season (roughly November to March). Most travel information assumes the dry season, so there are few articles that explain in concrete terms whether it is fine to visit in the rainy season and what actually changes. We are Semelar Beach Village, based in Sekotong on the southwest coast of Lombok. Drawing on official announcements from Indonesia’s meteorological agency (BMKG) and local authorities, we cover how the rain really falls, what is good about the rainy season, and the downsides we think you should hear about honestly.
What you will learn in this article
- ✓If you want waterfalls, traditional villages and a quiet stay, the rainy season (November to March) can still be very enjoyable. If island-hopping boat tours, climbing Mount Rinjani or surfing on the south coast are your main goals, the dry season has the advantage
- ✓How the rain actually falls, and how the dry and rainy seasons compare by monthly rainfall
- ✓How to tell which activities hold up in the rainy season and which to avoid
- ✓The downsides worth knowing honestly: cancelled boats, the Rinjani closure, flooding and dengue fever
The short answer | Who should visit Lombok in the rainy season, and who should not
In short
If you are after waterfall visits, traditional village experiences or a stay at a quiet beach, Lombok in the rainy season (November to March) is still very enjoyable. If island-hopping boat tours, climbing Mount Rinjani or surfing on the south coast are your main plans, the dry season (April to October) is easier to plan around, given the risk of cancelled boats and trail closures.
It is not accurate to say you should skip Lombok because it is the rainy season. The island turns lush green, waterfalls run fuller, there are fewer tourists and accommodation tends to get cheaper. But if you go without knowing what changes, an activity you were counting on may not happen because of the weather or sea conditions. In addition, as described below, a flood in January 2026 caused a death in Sekotong, where we are based. We will go through both the good and the dangerous sides, one by one.
When is the rainy season, and how does the rain actually fall?
In its 2025/2026 rainy-season forecast, Indonesia’s meteorological agency (BMKG) said the rainy season would begin in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which includes Lombok, between late October and late November, with a peak around January to February 2026. The start, peak and end of the rainy season change from year to year, so check BMKG’s seasonal forecast page for the year you plan to travel.
People often imagine rain falling all day, but in practice the typical pattern is a squall-type shower: a short, concentrated burst followed by a return of clear skies. On most days the weather recovers within tens of minutes to a few hours. However, when the atmosphere is unstable, bad weather can last several days in a row, and that is when the risk of flooding and landslides goes up.
In a video on our team’s YouTube channel (published in November 2025), Hiroki Nakamura, who runs a business in Sekotong, says that once the rainy season starts there are many days with an afternoon squall, but mornings are generally clear (filmed in late October 2025, video). In another video published in January 2026, he says that in early January 2026 heavy rain continued for several days in both Bali and Lombok (video).
Looking at monthly rainfall shows how big the seasonal gap is. According to a private climate-estimate dataset (Mataram, estimated long-term averages), the approximate monthly rainfall and number of rainy days are: January about 240 mm and 18 days, February about 231 mm and 16 days, March about 158 mm and 14 days, April about 101 mm and 10 days, May about 58 mm and 6 days, June about 31 mm and 3 days, July about 22 mm and 2 days, August about 11 mm and 1 day, September about 29 mm and 3 days, October about 71 mm and 6 days, November about 147 mm and 13 days, and December about 217 mm and 17 days. Between the driest month, August, and the peak month, January, monthly rainfall differs by more than 20 times. Please note that these are private climate estimates, not BMKG station normals, and actual rainfall varies with each year’s weather conditions.
Figure: A year on Lombok | How the rainy and dry seasons overlap with the Rinjani closure, good surf and the risk of cancelled boats
* The height of the rainfall bars is relative, based on the 12 monthly rainfall figures given in the text (private climate-estimate data, Mataram). For the Rinjani closure period and seasonal wind patterns, see the text and sources. Figures vary from year to year (as of August 2026).
What is special about the rainy season | Greenery, waterfalls and fewer tourists
The rainy season is not just a time to put up with; it also has charms the dry season does not.
First, the whole island turns a deeper green. Rice terraces and hills that had dried to brown in the late dry season turn green again. Waterfalls on the island generally carry more water in the rainy season, so even falls that shrink to a trickle in the dry season look impressive.
Fewer tourists is another point not to overlook. Compared with the dry-season high season, main sights and restaurants are often less crowded, and accommodation rates tend to be lower. The size of the drop varies widely from property to property, so check the actual rate for your dates on each property’s official website or a booking site. For travellers who want to avoid the crowds and take it slowly, the rainy season can actually be a good time to go.
POINT
The time of day when it rains changes from day to day. Check the same-day and next-day forecast for where you are staying on BMKG’s regional forecasts (bmkg.go.id), and try to schedule sea and waterfall activities for stable spells; that means fewer changes to your plans.
Activities that suit the rainy season, and those that do not
Some activities work fine in the rainy season and others are easily disrupted. Knowing which is which in advance changes how you put your itinerary together.
← The table scrolls sideways
| Activity | Rainy-season fit | Why | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall visits | ◎ Very good | Higher water flow usually makes for a more impressive view than in the dry season | Do not enter the water when it is high, and check the condition of the trail with the site manager |
| Traditional villages and cooking classes | ◎ Very good | Mostly indoors or under eaves, so less affected by weather | Also a good rainy-day backup plan |
| Snorkelling close to shore | 〇 Conditional | Enjoyable on light-wind days, but visibility tends to drop after rain | Skip it the day after heavy rain, when river runoff brings cloudy water and floating debris. Stop immediately if thunder is heard, and follow the local guide’s decision on the day |
| Island-hopping boat tours (Gili Islands, etc.) | △ Caution | More likely to be cancelled when sea conditions worsen | Keep spare days before and after |
| Mount Rinjani trekking | ✕ Not possible | The main routes are officially closed January to March (January 1 to March 31 in 2026) | Cannot be built into your schedule in this period |
| Surfing (mainly the south coast) | △ Caution | The prevailing wind direction is the opposite of the dry season, making conditions harder to read | Choosing the right spot and time of day is the key |
* Guide based on general trends (as of August 2026). It varies with the weather and sea conditions of each year.
Whether the climbing routes are open or closed is announced each year. If you are planning dates that fall in the rainy season, always check the latest announcement before you travel. Links to related articles are collected under “Related reading” at the end of this article.
How surfing changes in the rainy season | The logic of wind direction
For surfers, the difference between the rainy and dry seasons is an especially big deal. According to BMKG’s explanation, during the rainy season Indonesia comes under the influence of the “Musim Barat (west monsoon, also called Angin Baratan)”, which blows from the Asian continent toward Australia, and around Lombok west-to-northwest winds prevail. In the dry season, by contrast, the “Musim Timur (east monsoon)”, which blows from the Australian continent toward Asia, dominates, and east-to-southeast winds are the norm.
In surfing, wind that blows from land out to sea is called “offshore”. It tends to tidy up the face of the wave and is considered the good direction. Wind that blows from sea to land is “onshore”, which roughens the face and makes waves harder to ride. Whether the same wind is offshore or onshore depends on which way the coast faces.
Figure: Offshore and onshore | How the wind direction changes the wave face
* A schematic showing how wind direction relates to the direction a coast faces (as of August 2026). Actual sea conditions also depend on swell direction and the shape of the coastline.
Applying this to Lombok’s south coast: in the dry season, east-to-southeast winds tend to be offshore for west-facing breaks, while for a bay facing due south they are side-on to onshore. In a south-facing bay the face tends to be clean during the hours when a land breeze (wind blowing from land to sea) is active, from night into the morning. In the rainy season west-to-northwest winds prevail, so this relationship flips. In other words, it is not that “you cannot surf in the rainy season”; rather, the spots and times of day to aim for change. How well each spot works varies with the wind and swell that year and that week, so the surest way is to check that day’s conditions with a local surf shop.
Main downsides and cautions of the rainy season (honestly)
While the rainy season has its own appeal, there are also downsides we have to tell you about honestly. We have set out what actually happens as facts, without exaggeration.
Caution
- Risk of cancelled boats: Sea conditions in the Lombok Strait tend to worsen, mainly in the rainy season. In March 2026, wave heights in the Lombok Strait reportedly reached 4 m and 27 fast boats to and from Padang Bai were suspended. Ferries have continued to run in some cases under the same conditions, but note that smaller fast boats are more affected.
- Safety for sea activities: The day after heavy rain, the sea becomes cloudy from river inflow, and driftwood and rubbish increase. If you hear thunder, get out of the water immediately. Check BMKG’s high-wave warnings (maritim.bmkg.go.id), and for safety, follow the local guide’s decision on the day about whether to go ahead.
- Rinjani closure: In 2026, from January 1 to March 31, TNGR (the Mount Rinjani National Park Authority) closed all six main routes: Senaru, Sembalun, Torean, Timbanuh, Tetebatu and Aik Berik. The reasons were preparation for the risk of heavy rain, gusts, flash floods and landslides, along with ecosystem recovery and trail maintenance. In 2025 it was also closed from January 1 to April 2, so the closure at the start of the year has continued. This is not the kind of closure that might open depending on that year’s weather, so plan on not including a Rinjani climb between January and March.
- Some tours cancelled: Depending on sea and weather conditions, island-hopping and snorkelling tours may be cancelled or changed at short notice. Avoid scheduling anything on the day you connect to your flight out, and leave some slack before and after.
- Humidity, insects and dengue fever: The rainy season brings higher humidity and more mosquitoes. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), as of week 43 of 2024, 210,644 dengue cases and 1,239 deaths had been reported nationwide from 259 districts and cities in 32 provinces. According to WHO, the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit dengue are active during the day, so you need insect repellent in the daytime as well as at night. If you have a fever, do not self-diagnose; see a medical facility (WHO advises avoiding painkillers and fever reducers such as ibuprofen and aspirin).
- Flooding and flooded roads: On the night of January 13, 2026, a river overflowed in Sekotong District, where we are based, affecting about 570 households and 1,171 people around Pungang Tap and Blongas, and one 69-year-old woman died (BPBD NTB provisional tally and news reports). On the 14th, West Lombok Regency declared a disaster emergency (tanggap darurat). Heavy rain on January 21 to 22 flooded the district again, and a shortage of water for daily use was reported in some hamlets.
This was not just one especially unlucky night; it is something that actually happened in Sekotong in the rainy season. As of August 2026, we have not confirmed the condition of roads and infrastructure since then from primary sources. If you are heading to the southwest area in the rainy season, ask your accommodation or transfer provider beforehand about the condition of village roads off the main highways. After heavy rain, it is also safer to keep the option of not travelling at all.
How to spend a rainy day | Three decision patterns
When you are staying in the rainy season, you will often face the question “can we still do today’s plan?” We have set out rules of thumb for switching plans, by rain pattern.
Figure: Three decision patterns when the rain starts
It stops after a short time
You can carry on with the activity you had planned. Rain often clears within tens of minutes to a few hours, so waiting indoors until it stops is realistic.
It looks like raining all day
Move sea activities to the next day or later. Switching to mostly indoor options such as a traditional village visit, a cooking class or a massage is realistic.
It looks like several days of bad weather
Island-hopping boat tours are easily cancelled by high waves, so keep a backup date. A Rinjani climb is off the table anyway, since January to March is the official closure period. It is safer to finish any travel that connects to your flight out ahead of time.
What to prepare if you come in the rainy season
Finally, here are the points that give peace of mind if you plan a trip in the rainy season.
Five things to check before a rainy-season trip
- A folding umbrella or raincoat (a quick-drying one is practical)
- A waterproof case and zip bags (to keep your phone and passport dry)
- A spare pair of shoes (sandals get slippery on wet roads)
- About one spare day before and after your schedule (in case of cancellations or bad weather)
- Insect repellent spray and long-sleeved clothes (against mosquitoes and dengue, including in the daytime)
That covers the main points to keep in mind when planning for Lombok in the rainy season. We have also answered in advance some questions readers often send us.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Should I avoid visiting Lombok in the rainy season?
It depends on your purpose. If you want waterfall visits, traditional village experiences or a quiet beach stay, the rainy season is still an option. If island-hopping boat tours, a Rinjani climb or south-coast surfing are your main plans, the dry season (April to October) is easier to plan around, given the risk of cancelled boats and closures. Also note that heavy rain can cause flooding in low-lying areas, so keep an eye on weather warnings.
Q. Does it rain all day in the rainy season?
Days of all-day rain are not common. The typical pattern is a short, concentrated squall followed by a return of clear skies. In some years, though, there are spells of several bad days in a row, so it is reassuring to build some slack into your schedule.
Q. Are flights to Lombok often cancelled in the rainy season?
It is not usual for scheduled flights to be suspended by season, but delays in bad weather are not zero. What tends to increase in the rainy season is cancellations of fast boats to outlying islands such as the Gili Islands.
Q. When can I climb Mount Rinjani?
Around January to March is when the main climbing routes are closed (the closure ran from January 1 to March 31 in 2026 and from January 1 to April 2 in 2025). The closure period changes from year to year, so always check the latest announcement from TNGR (the Mount Rinjani National Park Authority) before you travel.
Q. Where do you recommend for surfing in the rainy season?
In the rainy season west-to-northwest winds prevail, the opposite direction to the dry season. So the spots that stay good in the dry season are not the same as the spots you can aim for in the rainy season. Conditions change with the direction the coast faces and that day’s wind, so the surest way is to ask a local surf shop directly.
Related reading
- Best Time to Visit Lombok and the WeatherAn article on the features of the dry and rainy seasons, with monthly climate data.
- What Is Lombok? A Complete Guide to Getting There, Climate and SightsThe pillar article covering the whole picture of climate, safety and areas.
- Mount Rinjani Trekking GuideExplains the trekking routes, how many days you need, and how openings and closures work.
- Kuta Lombok (Mandalika) GuideIntroduces the south-coast base where the surf spots are, and how to spend your time there.
- Sekotong Complete GuideGives the whole picture of Sekotong in southwest Lombok, where we are based.
Summary
The rainy season (November to March) on Lombok does not mean rain “all day long”. It is a time when the greenery and waterfalls are at their richest, with fewer tourists and accommodation that tends to cost less. On the other hand, there is the risk of cancelled island-hopping boat tours, the closure of the Rinjani trails from January to March, changing surf conditions, mosquitoes that bite in the daytime along with dengue, and the fact that a flood in Sekotong in January 2026 caused a death. Depending on what you come for, and whether you can decide in advance how to act in bad weather, the rainy season can be either a good time for you or a time to avoid.
SEMELAR BEACH VILLAGE
You can stay in the village of Sekotong, where we live
About 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Lombok International Airport. A stay programme where you sleep in a seaside villa, tour the islands by a boatman’s boat and watch the sunset at SAKURA CAFE.
Sources
- BMKG, “Prediksi Musim Hujan 2025/2026 di Indonesia (Pemutakhiran November 2025)” https://www.bmkg.go.id/iklim/prediksi-musim-hujan-2025-2026-di-indonesia-pemutakhiran-november-2025
- News report on BMKG’s 2025/2026 rainy-season forecast for NTB (West Nusa Tenggara) https://ntb.idntimes.com/news/ntb/bmkg-prediksi-musim-hujan-di-ntb-lebih-panjang-puncak-februari-2026-00-ldn3d-y500vm
- BMKG (Balai Besar MKG Wilayah III) document “Angin Monsun” (monsoon direction and seasons) https://bbmkg3.bmkg.go.id/public_data/dataspdf/bbmkg3-1723172705.pdf
- BMKG climate information FAQ (Angin Baratan = Asian monsoon / Angin Timuran = Australian monsoon) https://iklim.bmkg.go.id/id/faq/
- BMKG (SPAG Lore Lindu Bariri) explanation of wind (definitions of land breeze and sea breeze) https://gaw-bariri.bmkg.go.id/publikasi/gawsarium/360-angin
- BMKG Maritime Weather, high-wave warnings https://maritim.bmkg.go.id/cuaca/peringatan/gelombang
- TNGR (Mount Rinjani National Park Authority) notice on closures of natural tourist sites https://www.rinjaninationalpark.id/detail/penutupan-destinasi-wisata-alam-tngr
- News report on TNGR’s closure of all climbing routes from January 1 to March 31, 2026, and the reasons (Radar Lombok) https://radarlombok.co.id/pendakian-gunung-rinjani-ditutup-1-januari-31-maret-2026.html
- News report on the 2025 closure (January 1 to April 2) (ANTARA News) https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4542346/tngr-pendakian-gunung-rinjani-ditutup-1-januari-hingga-2-apri-2025
- News report on the Sekotong flood (January 13, 2026; BPBD NTB provisional tally and death) (detik.com) https://www.detik.com/bali/nusra/d-8306193/banjir-terjang-sekotong-dapur-hingga-sapi-terbawa-arus-1-lansia-tewas
- News report on West Lombok Regency’s declaration of a disaster emergency (tanggap darurat) (detik.com) https://www.detik.com/bali/nusra/d-8307487/sekotong-banjir-pemkab-lombok-barat-tetapkan-status-tanggap-darurat
- News report on the renewed flooding of January 21 to 22, 2026 and the shortage of water for daily use (Global FM Lombok) https://globalfmlombok.com/21/01/2026/banjir-berulang-di-lombok-barat-warga-terancam-krisis-air-bersih/
- News report on high waves in the Lombok Strait and the suspension of 27 fast boats (nusabali.com, citing BMKG) https://www.nusabali.com/berita/215029/tinggi-gelombang-selat-lombok-4-meter-27-kapal-cepat-ditunda-operasi
- News report on BMKG’s high-wave warning for the Lombok Strait (ANTARA News) https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5648211/bmkg-peringatkan-gelombang-sangat-tinggi-di-selat-lombok
- Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), “Waspada Penyakit di Musim Hujan” (dengue cases and deaths as of week 43 of 2024) https://kemkes.go.id/id/waspada-penyakit-di-musim-hujan
- WHO, “Dengue and severe dengue” (vector mosquitoes are active in the daytime; what to do with a fever) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
- Estimated monthly rainfall and rainy days (private climate data, Mataram; not BMKG station normals) https://id.weatherspark.com/y/130077/Cuaca-Rata-rata-pada-bulan-in-Kota-Mataram-Indonesia-Sepanjang-Tahun
- Building a Town on Lombok, our team’s YouTube channel (impressions of rainy-season weather; videos published November 2025 and January 2026) https://www.youtube.com/@Pengembangan-Kota-di-Lombok
