Cases of dengue fever in travellers returning to Western Australia from Bali jumped by over 50% in 2024, according to WA Health. That’s not exactly the souvenir anyone’s after bringing home from holiday. You plan for sunsets, surf, and satay skewers — but a virus spread by sneaky day-biting mozzies? That’s not in our itinerary.

The thing is, dengue isn’t rare in Bali. It’s been an issue for years, yet spikes like this one catch travellers off guard. Especially those heading over with no clue that mozzies here can do more than leave you itchy.

The good news? With the right info, you can still enjoy your trip without stressing over every bug bite.

Dengue fever is picked up from mosquito bites — specifically, the Aedes species mosquitoes (the stripey-legged ones) that are active in daylight hours. These mosquitoes carry a virus that can hit you hard with a combo of fever, sore eyes, full-body aches, and sometimes a red, patchy rash. It can feel like a serious case of the flu with an extra kick.

It starts mild, but it might spiral into something worse if you don’t rest up. A few folks even get knocked around badly enough to need hospital care, especially if it turns into what doctors call severe dengue. That can mean internal bleeding, low blood pressure, or worse.

Bali’s tropical climate means mosquitoes are present year-round, but the risk of dengue fever rises in the wet season. The island’s rainy season runs roughly from November through March, bringing heavy showers, humidity, and plenty of puddles for mosquitoes to breed​. Dengue transmission typically spikes during these wetter months (with cases often surging at the start of the year)​.

By contrast, the dry season from April to October brings much less rain and fewer mosquitoes​. Travelling in the dry season is therefore considered a lower risk for dengue, as the chance of getting bitten by infected mosquitoes is reduced​.

That said, mozzies in Bali don’t ever vanish completely, so the usual precautions still matter.

Some places seem to have fewer dengue flare-ups than others. Densely populated urban and central areas (such as Kuta/Seminyak in Badung or Ubud in Gianyar) report the most cases​, partly due to more people and more breeding sites. No part of Bali is completely mosquito-free​, but choosing accommodation in certain cooler or less crowded areas may help reduce your chances of getting dengue.

Nusa Dua is located on the southeastern tip of Bali, about 12 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport (a 20–30 minute drive).

Nusa Dua’s upscale hotels often include in-room electric repellent and screened windows and doors, which help make the rooms comparatively safer from dengue. The beaches here are tranquil and the streets are less chaotic than in Kuta, so you can enjoy seaside relaxation with fewer pesky mozzies around. It’s a popular choice for families and anyone seeking a stress-free Bali holiday.

Uluwatu’s out on the southern edge, part of the Bukit Peninsula. It’s roughly 25km from the airport — expect a 50-minute drive if the traffic behaves.

This part of Bali gets more breeze and stays dry longer than the central parts. The cliffs, open views, and smaller crowds mean fewer places for mozzies to hang around. Plus, it’s further from the island’s hot spots. Surf vibes, beach bars, epic sunsets — and a bit less bite risk.

Nusa Lembongan is off the southeast coast of Bali. You’ll hop in a car to Sanur (around 30 minutes), then catch a fast boat over — roughly another 45.

Being off the mainland makes a difference. Nusa Lembongan is considered malaria-free, and while dengue can occur, it’s less likely to be contracted than on the main island​. Think laid-back village vibes, beaches that don’t feel packed and clear blue water that lets you experience tropical Bali with far fewer crowds (and mosquitoes).

Munduk sits up in Bali’s north-central hills. You’re looking at about 85km from the airport, or close to a three hours’ drive.

Cooler nights, misty mornings, and far fewer mozzies, Mundul is the kind of place where you’ll want a jumper at night. The bugs don’t love the altitude, and the slower pace gives you space to breathe. Waterfalls, mountain treks, and hot drinks on the balcony.

Amed stretches along Bali’s northeast coast, roughly 100m from the airport and a three-hour drive.

It’s dry. Like, properly dry compared to the southern parts. That makes it tougher for mozzies to settle in. It’s more chilled out, less commercial, and known for snorkelling and diving (the famous USS Liberty shipwreck is nearby). The crowds haven’t taken over, and the beaches have a kind of end-of-the-road charm.

So, you’ve picked your perfect spot – now what? Mozzies are still around, even in the quiet corners, so here's how to stay one step ahead.

There’s a dengue vaccine available in a small number of countries, but unless you’ve already had dengue before, it’s not widely recommended. Most Aussies heading to Bali aren’t eligible, so you’re better off focusing on not getting bitten in the first place.

Let’s say you’re in Bali and all of a sudden you feel wrecked. Your bones hurt, your head’s pounding, you’ve got a fever, and even your eyes feel weirdly sore. Don’t brush it off.

The best move is to get checked by a doctor – fast. Loads of clinics around tourist spots are used to dengue cases and can get you tested quickly. There’s no magic pill for it, though – you’ll be told to rest, drink loads of water, and stay off painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin (they mess with your blood clotting).

If anything gets worse after the fever goes down – stuff like vomiting, bleeding gums, or feeling faint – head to a hospital, no mucking about. Back in Oz? Tell your doctor you were in Bali, so they know what to check for.

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