Best time to visit Sumatra

Indonesia’s largest island is divided by the equator and dominated by a tropical climate. The climate in Sumatra is always humid and, in contrast to other Southeast Asian countries, there is no typical distinct dry and rainy season. Depending on the time of year, there are a variety of activities on offer in different areas of the island. We give you tips on the best time to visit Sumatra and which highlights are recommended in which month.

Recently, however, the weather conditions have shifted again and again. In July and August it rained more than usual, in October almost not at all. It has become truly unpredictable.

Best time to visit Sumatra

Activities depending on Sumatra’s climate

Due to the southwest monsoon, the island receives rainfall all year round, but not all regions are affected equally. You can travel to the island all year round if you are not exclusively interested in a beach holiday. Sumatra offers a wide range of activities such as trekking tours, hiking excursions, surfing and sightseeing.

Rainy season in Sumatra

The rainy season in Sumatra generally lasts from the end of October to January, but the rainfall is only heavier in some areas. In contrast to other countries in Southeast Asia, the rainy season is much shorter and rainfall lasting several days is much rarer. If you visit Sumatra during the rainy season, you should expect it to be mostly cloudy. However, this is only a disadvantage if you want to swim or sunbathe. As temperatures are high all year round, active holidaymakers enjoy the clouds that protect them from the sun and enjoy activities such as hiking, trekking and sightseeing.

However, the weather in Sumatra has been hard to predict in the last few years! There is not really a defined line between dry and wet season – they tend to get mixed up! The good news is that even if you arrive during rainy season, it has near to no impact on tourist activities. The rains and storms are more likely to happen in the late afternoon or at night, and it’s rare to have rain for days in a row – possible, but not overly common.

Advantages of the rainy season

During the rainy season, there are significantly fewer travellers in Sumatra, accommodation is cheaper and you don’t have to dig as deep into your pockets for tours and excursions as in the dry season.

Another advantage of the months from October to the beginning of March is that the plants are lush and green, which is a real eye-catcher. Especially during the rainy season, excursions to waterfalls are even more spectacular! If you’re planning a jungle trek in Bukit Lawang during this time, a cloudy sky can be favourable as it’s not as hot.

Even if you are planning a trip during the rainy season, you can look forward to temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and a pleasant water temperature of 25 to 28 degrees. The rainy season offers varied weather with blue skies, clouds, rain and occasional storms. Passionate amateur photographers appreciate the different weather conditions!

Dry season – best time to visit Sumatra

The period from the end of April to October is considered the dry season and therefore the best time to visit Sumatra. In the months of April, May, June and July, you can expect maximum daily temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius and about the most hours of sunshine per day. The temperature fluctuations are small and the humidity is high. The months of April to July are ideal if you are planning a beach holiday. The advantage is that the sea has a bathing temperature of 27 to 29 degrees Celsius all year round.

The months of May to June are considered the most pleasant time to visit, as this post-monsoon period is dry. The hot dry season prevails in July, August and September.

The best months to travel are April to October. June – August are usually a bit busier with more foreign tourists, but it’s never overly busy. Just keep in mind that if you do come during high season you might need to book accommodation ahead of time. Guides and drivers also are busier at that time.

The best time to travel by destination

Gunung Leuser National Park

The breathtaking national park not only impresses with its intact rainforest, but also with its diverse wildlife. Discover endangered animal species on an adventurous trekking tour through the jungle, marvel at the wonderful river landscape and the natural habitat of tigers and orangutans.

Medan

As Medan has high temperatures all year round, it is not only the climatically most favourable months of February and March that are recommended. You should refrain from visiting the city in September and October, as these are the two rainiest months and heavy rainfall is not uncommon.

Banda Aceh

Due to the year-round high sea temperature, you can swim in Banda Aceh all year round. Rainfall here occurs not only in the rainy season, but also in the dry season. December is the month with the most rainfall and you can also expect rain showers a few months before and after. The month with the least rainfall is June.

Bukit Lawang

The best months to visit are April – June and September. July and August are the high season with little rain but lots of tourists. You can enjoy temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius all year round.

Pulau Weh

This island in the north-west of Sumatra is well-known among divers and offers wonderful snorkelling and diving spots. If you want to discover the underwater world of the Andaman Sea, you should not visit Pulau Weh during the monsoon season from October to March, as ferries can be cancelled, it rains almost every day and the sky is usually covered in dark clouds.

Mentawai Island

The island in the west of Sumatra is a true surfer’s paradise. You can ride high waves during the dry season. From the end of September, the waves are less powerful, the waves are no longer too high and there are more frequent rain showers. The advantage is that there are fewer surfers in the water during the rainy season!

Nias Island

In the west of Sumatra lies another island that is one of the top spots for surfers. During the dry season you can ride high waves, while the waves are lower and less powerful in the rainy season. From September onwards, fewer tourists and surfers visit Pulau Nias, as rainfall is not uncommon.