good to know before you plan
March is when the beach comes back. The heavy rains that push debris onto this coast are easing, the cleaning crews get ahead of it, and by the middle of the month the sand looks like the photographs again.
A week gives you the second half of March, which is the better half, with rates still near their wet-season floor at around $110 to $220 per person. Nyepi falls somewhere in the month and closes the island completely for a day, flights included, so that date has to be found before anything is booked. We would aim at the back end of March for the cleanest version of it.
Bali in March: A 7-Day Kuta and Legian Itinerary
March is when Kuta beach comes back. The heavy rains that push debris onto this coast are easing, the cleaning crews get ahead of it, and by the middle of the month the sand looks like the photographs again. The rooms have not caught up: pricing here still sits near its wet-season floor well into April.
The surf is in a good place too. March keeps enough west-coast swell to be interesting without the dry-season wind that chops it up, which makes it one of the better months on this stretch for a first lesson. And the nightlife, which never really stopped, now has a beach worth spending the day on beforehand.
The beach cleans up while the room rates stay down
March
Week 3
day by day
One hotel, whole trip, everything on foot. The only drive worth making is Uluwatu, and March afternoons are dry enough to make that easy.
Day 1: Arrive, check in, walk to the beach for sunset.
Day 2: Surf lesson at first light. The March swell is the friendliest of the year for beginners.
Day 3: Waterbom Bali. Still quiet this month, so you will get more rides in than you would in July.
Day 4: Slow day. Massage, long lunch, Jalan Legian in the evening.
Day 5: Uluwatu for the temple and the Kecak dance, leaving early afternoon.
Day 6: Second surf lesson, then the best dinner of the trip.
Day 7: Last swim, checkout, airport.
If Nyepi falls during your stay, the day before belongs to the Ogoh-Ogoh parades and the day itself is spent inside your accommodation. Shift everything above by one day.
Where to Eat
Seminyak for the widest range of restaurants
Canggu for cafés, brunch and international food
Jimbaran for fresh seafood by the beach
Sanur for relaxed local and international dining
Uluwatu for cliffside restaurants and sunset venues
Local warungs throughout the region for Balinese favourites
Where to Stay
Kuta Beach: best for beachfront access.
Jalan Legian: best for nightlife and shops.
Poppies Lanes: best for budget guesthouses.
Tuban: best for airport proximity.
Jalan Pantai Kuta: best for beach and malls.
Legian border: best for a calmer base.
best Things to Do
Watch sunset from the beaches of Seminyak or Canggu
Explore Uluwatu’s cliffs and beaches
Visit Uluwatu Temple and watch a Kecak performance
Relax on the beaches of Nusa Dua or Sanur
Enjoy a seafood dinner in Jimbaran. Surf or take a beginner surf lesson
Explore cafés, boutiques and local markets
Spend a day discovering the Bukit Peninsula.
Cleaner beach, same low price
Book the room while the price is still at wet-season level, because March is the last month before the rates start climbing. Check where Nyepi falls before you fix your dates, since the whole island closes for that day. Surf lessons and Waterbom can be arranged a day or two ahead this month. A car is only needed for the Uluwatu run, but that trip is worth making now that the afternoons are drying out. Three links below.
frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Kuta in March?
The rainy season is winding down. Expect 27 to 31 degrees, shorter afternoon showers than in January and February, and more full dry days as the month goes on. The sea is warm, the swell is moderate, and the beach debris that comes with heavy rain eases considerably from mid month.
Is Kuta beach clean in March?
Much cleaner than in January and February. The debris that washes onto this coast comes with heavy rain, and as the rains ease through March the beach recovers. It is not the pristine sand of the dry season, but by mid month it is a beach you would happily spend a day on.
Does Nyepi affect a Kuta beach holiday?
Yes, and more than people expect. For twenty-four hours you cannot leave your hotel, the beach is closed, and no bars or restaurants outside your accommodation operate. The airport shuts too. If your dates cover Nyepi, check what your hotel provides on the day, because some close their pool and restaurant entirely.