August vs June

Strong option

The driest month of the year — and the busiest. Equal to July in every respect.

• ↑August averages just 9mm of rain — virtually none. Sunshine at 9.4 hours and humidity at 70% (the lowest of the year) make it the most physically comfortable month for hiking. The Rinjani summit attempt is most pleasant in August: the crater rim path is bone-dry, the sunrise views are clearest, and the descent to Segara Anak lake is straightforward.
• ↑Snorkelling and diving visibility in the Gilis peaks in August: the water clarity is at its maximum, hawksbill turtles are resident on the Gili Air nursery reef, and the underwater topography around Gili T (including the submerged Sivalingam sculpture) is clear.

Best match

Peak dry season perfection — Rinjani, Gilis, and south coast all at their best before crowds arrive.

• ↑June is the finest weather Lombok produces: 9.1 sunshine hours, 29mm of rain, and lower humidity than May. The Rinjani crater lake is accessible from the crater rim by a steep descent — camping beside the hot springs at Segara Anak Lake (2,000m altitude, with Rinjani's perfect cone reflected in the water) is one of the most spectacular campsites in Indonesia.
• ↑The Gili Islands in June offer snorkelling and diving conditions that rival the Maldives at a fraction of the cost: flat water, extraordinary visibility, and turtle encounters on almost every dive. The no-motorised-vehicle policy on all three Gilis means the only sounds are birdsong, cicadas, and the call to prayer from the mosque on Gili Meno.