Lake Batur Lake
Caldera lake on Bali's active Mount Batur
Inside Bali's Mount Batur caldera, Lake Batur sits below an active volcano. Tourists combine sunrise treks, hot springs and boat trips with views of the caldera rim and local fishing villages.
Lake Batur at a Glance#
About Lake Batur#
Lake Batur is a caldera lake on the island of Bali in Indonesia, located inside the large caldera formed by volcanic activity around Mount Batur. It is one of Bali’s principal highland lakes and lies within the Kintamani area of Bangli regency.
The lake is framed by the slopes of Mount Batur and surrounding hills, offering prominent volcano-and-lake views that are popular at sunrise. Local villages around the lake support small-scale fishing and tourism, and visitors come for viewpoints, boat trips and nearby hot springs.
The lake occupies a volcanic caldera formed by repeated eruptions and collapses in the island’s volcanic history; the present landscape reflects those volcanic processes. Human settlement and agriculture around the lake have long used its waters for irrigation and fisheries.
Lake Batur sits in northeastern Bali within the Kintamani district of Bangli regency, with the active Mount Batur rising immediately from the caldera rim and small villages clustered along its shores.
- Volcanic caldera and uses: Located within a volcanic caldera in northeastern Bali, the lake sits at the foot of the active Mount Batur and is integral to local irrigation and fishing.
- Visitor use: Popular for sunrise views of the volcano and surrounding caldera landscape, with hotels and small-scale tourism clustered in the Kintamani area.
What to See#
- Mount Batur caldera rim: The volcanic cone of Mount Batur forms the caldera rim immediately adjacent to the lake and is a key landmark for sunrise hikes and viewpoint photography.
How to Get to Lake Batur#
Drive: From Ubud or Denpasar, follow the main road to Kintamani (roughly 1.5-2 hours by car), then continue up the ridge to overlooks above the caldera. Public buses serve Kintamani on some routes, but most visitors take a private car or organized tour.
Tips for Visiting Lake Batur#
- Start pre-dawn if attempting the popular Mount Batur sunrise trek; the view across the lake as the sun clears the caldera is what people come for.
- Hire a local guide from the village of Kintamani-guides know safe routes and can explain local temple and irrigation (subak) lore.
- Check for cooler temperatures at the crater rim-layers help, since mornings can be brisk even in Bali.
Best Time to Visit Lake Batur#
Visit during Bali's dry season for the crispest views of the caldera and quieter trekking conditions; early mornings are the prize.
Weather & Climate near Lake Batur#
Lake Batur's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C. Heavy rainfall (2610 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 451 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| February | Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 384 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.3h |
| March | Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 378 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 199 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 130 mm | some cloud | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 25° | 20° | 81 mm | some cloud | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| July | Excellent | 16° - 24° | 20° | 76 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| August | Excellent | 15° - 25° | 20° | 56 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 3.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.7h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 90 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 3.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 17° - 27° | 22° | 127 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Good | 17° - 26° | 22° | 243 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| December | Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 395 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
