Fishing calendar
Fishing in Bali in May
What is actually running in May, which water it lives in, and how many days that month are genuinely comfortable to be out on. Measured, not estimated.
In season in May
These species have a real season, and May falls inside it.
Biting all year
These are worth targeting in any month, which makes them the fallback when the seasonal fish are out of reach.
What the sea does in May
Seven measured waters, each read at a fixed point every day for four years. “Easy days” is the share of days in May with a calm sea and light wind — the days a small boat can actually work.
| Water | Sea | Wave | Wind | Easy days | Best month here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali Strait & north Bali | Easy | 0.32 m | 15 km/h | 94% | April (98%) |
| North Lombok & the Gilis | Easy | 0.69 m | 12 km/h | 92% | April (98%) |
| Komodo & Flores Sea | Easy | 0.54 m | 19 km/h | 52% | November (94%) |
| North Bali (Bali Sea) | Mixed | 0.54 m | 21 km/h | 42% | November (83%) |
| Lombok Strait | Mixed | 1.52 m | 18 km/h | 15% | November (38%) |
| Badung Strait & Nusa Penida | Mixed | 1.55 m | 18 km/h | 12% | November (38%) |
| South Bali & Indian Ocean | Hard | 2.04 m | 27 km/h | 0% | November (7%) |
Species against water in May
A season and a sea state are only useful together. For each fish in season, this is the water it lives in and how often that water is workable this month — including when the honest answer is “come back later”.
Blue Marlin
Grounds: South Bali (Indian Ocean), South Lombok, Sumbawa offshore
- South Bali & Indian Ocean — Hard 0% easy days. November runs at 7% here.
Dogtooth Tuna
Grounds: Nusa Penida walls, Amed, Gili Trawangan drop-offs
- North Lombok & the Gilis — Easy 92% easy days. April runs at 98% here.
- North Bali (Bali Sea) — Mixed 42% easy days. November runs at 83% here.
- Badung Strait & Nusa Penida — Mixed 12% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
Giant Trevally
Grounds: Nusa Penida, Komodo, Sumbawa banks, South Lombok
- Komodo & Flores Sea — Easy 52% easy days. November runs at 94% here.
- Badung Strait & Nusa Penida — Mixed 12% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
Yellowfin Tuna
Grounds: Lombok Strait, South Bali, Alas Strait
- Lombok Strait — Mixed 15% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
- South Bali & Indian Ocean — Hard 0% easy days. November runs at 7% here.
Wahoo
Grounds: Lombok Strait, Offshore banks, Nusa Penida current lines
- Lombok Strait — Mixed 15% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
- Badung Strait & Nusa Penida — Mixed 12% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
Mahi-Mahi
Grounds: Offshore FADs, South Bali, Lombok Strait weed lines
- Lombok Strait — Mixed 15% easy days. November runs at 38% here.
- South Bali & Indian Ocean — Hard 0% easy days. November runs at 7% here.
Methods that suit May
The techniques the fish in season in May are taken on.
Where you would leave from
Only two harbours on the platform have boats that actually depart for a day on the water.
Book the right boat for May
Our captains work this water all year and know which weeks it rewards.