Bali and Phuket are close in May. Bali averages 25–30°C with moderate crowds; Phuket 26–33°C with low crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Bali and Phuket
The verdict for May
Warm, dry, still calm
+Warm, increasingly dry and noticeably calmer than the summer peak.
–Popular areas begin filling up toward the end of the month.
Bali feels alive without feeling overwhelmed.
Monsoon starts, prices drop
+Lower rates and fewer visitors as monsoon season starts.
–Rain and rougher seas become more common.
Lower rates and fewer visitors as monsoon season starts.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month