Things to Do in Surabaya in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
October Weather in Surabaya
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
92°F (33°C)
High Temp
76°F (24°C)
Low Temp
2.1 inches (53 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is October Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + October sits in the sweet spot between dry season and monsoon - mornings are reliably clear until 2 pm, giving you a 6-hour window for outdoor activities before afternoon clouds build
- + Hotel occupancy drops 30-40% after the August peak, so you'll find rooms in central Surabaya (around Tunjungan Plaza) without the three-month advance booking required in July
- + The post-Ramadan food festival circuit hits Surabaya mid-October - night markets set up along Jalan Pemuda where vendors from Madura and Malang serve dishes you won't see the rest of the year
- + UV index drops from September's brutal 11 to a more manageable 8, so you can walk the Arab Quarter's narrow lanes at noon without feeling your skin fry
Considerations
- − Humidity hovers at 70% and doesn't break at night - your hotel AC will run non-stop and cotton shirts feel damp within an hour of putting them on
- − Afternoon storms arrive fast. One minute you're photographing the blue-tiled Masjid Ampel, the next you're sprinting through ankle-deep runoff that smells of diesel and clove cigarettes
- − Some of the smaller islands in the Surabaya Strait stop boat service after mid-October - if you want to day-trip to Kangean or Sapudi, you'll need to charter rather than take the public ferry
Best Activities in October
Top things to do during your visit
Surabaya in October is hot and humid, with brief, intense downpours. The air feels thick. It carries the scent of damp earth and frangipani from the city's many gardens. This is a transitional month. The dry season's dust gives way to the smell of wet pavement and charcoal smoke from evening food carts. Locals wait for cooler evenings. The city's rhythm shifts toward night markets and late suppers. A key event is the Festival Makanan Malam Nusantara. It transforms Jalan Pemuda into a corridor of sizzling grills and aromatic steam for ten nights in mid to late October. Visiting now means experiencing a city that comes alive after dark. Families gather to taste regional specialties under strings of bare bulbs. Vendor chatter mixes with the hiss of frying oil. Surabaya offers urban exploration. October's clearer skies at higher elevations make it a prime start for the dramatic volcanic landscapes of East Java. The reliable, hot city weather ensures comfortable departures for early mountain journeys. The tropical heat encourages slow walks through shaded colonial quarters. You can seek refuge in air-conditioned museums. Punctuate it with stops for iced sweet tea or a bowl of savory soto. The month has a specific culinary energy. It centers on that large night food fair. There, you can taste smoky goat satay from Madura and pungent broths from Aceh without leaving the city center.
Bromo Ijen 2 Days 1 Night Inclusive Tour from Surabaya or Malang
guided_experienceThis multi-day tour moves you from Surabaya's urban heat into the cool, thin air of Java's highland calderas. You will stand on the ashen plains of Mount Bromo at dawn. Watch sulfurous plumes rise against a pink sky. Later, you descend into the ethereal turquoise crater lake of Ijen. The journey involves pre-dawn jeep rides across a sea of sand. It includes a hike where your flashlight cuts through the pre-morning darkness.
It combines two of Indonesia's most impressive natural wonders into a single, easy expedition from the city.
Insider tip: Pack a warm layer for the Bromo sunrise. The high desert plateau is significantly colder than Surabaya. You will feel the chill while waiting for the sun.
This month: The typically dry conditions in October often provide clearer views across the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. There is less chance of mist obscuring the sunrise.
Full Day Private Sunrise Tour in Bromo
day_tripThis private tour is a focused trip to witness daybreak over Mount Bromo's surreal terrain. You will travel through the night from Surabaya. Arrive at the viewpoint in time to see the first light illuminate the Tengger massif and the smoking crater below. The silence of the high desert is broken only by the shuffle of other visitors and the occasional rumble from the volcano.
It offers an intimate encounter with one of the planet's most well-known volcanic vistas.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes you do not mind getting dusty. The final approach across the Sand Sea is on foot through fine volcanic ash.
This month: October's lower rainfall improves the odds of a spectacular, unobstructed sunrise over the Bromo crater.
Bloo Lagoon Snorkeling East Bali Includes Transportation & Lunch
adventureThis long day trip from Surabaya trades volcanic rock for coral reef. It takes you to the clear, warm waters off Bali's eastern coast. You will spend hours floating above gardens of hard coral. Watch angelfish dart through the blue and feel the sun on your shoulders. The tour includes a beachside lunch. You might taste grilled fish with a squeeze of tart lime.
It provides a complete aquatic escape to a rich marine environment. All logistics are handled from Surabaya.
Insider tip: Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen from Surabaya. Options may be limited at the lagoon. The tropical sun is intense even in the water.
From Surabaya 3 Days Private Tour Mt Bromo Ijen Bali
private_tourThis extensive three-day private tour covers East Java's highlights. It ends with a ferry crossing to Bali. The itinerary moves from the pre-dawn spectacle of Bromo to the acidic beauty of Ijen's blue fire and turquoise lake. Then it delivers you to the island of gods. You will feel the crunch of sulfur underfoot at Ijen. You will smell the sharp, eggy odor of the crater.
It is a complete overland adventure that connects Surabaya's way into Bali's shores through legendary landscapes.
Insider tip: For the Ijen hike, a simple respirator or buff worn over your nose and mouth makes a big difference against the sulfuric fumes.
This month: The stable October weather often allows for reliable viewing conditions at both Bromo and Ijen. This makes the long journey more predictable.
3D2N Mount Bromo Ijen Blue Fire with 4-Star Accommodation
otherThis premium package has a comfortable way to see Bromo and Ijen. It includes quality hotel stays. You will appreciate returning to a well-appointed room after a day of hiking volcanic trails. A hot shower washes away the dust and sulfur. The tour keeps the core thrills of predawn viewings and crater hikes. But it cushions the journey.
It delivers the raw adventure of East Java's volcanoes without sacrificing comfort and reliable accommodation.
Insider tip: Confirm with your tour operator from Surabaya that the 4-star accommodation is near the tour sites. This minimizes very early morning transfer times.
Trowulan Tour Ruin of Majapahit Kingdom from Surabaya
culturalThis tour goes into the countryside west of Surabaya. It explores the scattered red-brick ruins of the Majapahit Empire. You will walk among crumbling temple bases and intricate stone reliefs. Hear birds call from nearby rice fields. Feel the weight of centuries in the quiet, forgotten complex. The site feels like an open-air museum. Fragments of grandeur peek from the grass.
It provides a tangible connection to the capital of one of Southeast Asia's greatest historical empires. This is far from the modern city of Surabaya.
Insider tip: Visit the small on-site museum in Trowulan first. This helps you understand the layout and significance of the ruins scattered across the landscape.
This month: October's intermittent rains can make some grassy areas around the ruins damp. Waterproof footwear is advisable.
Where to Stay in Surabaya in October
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for October travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Crown Prince Hotel Surabaya Managed by Midtown Indonesia
From $25 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
October Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid to late October
Festival Makanan Malam Nusantara
Night-time food fair that takes over Jalan Pemuda for 10 days. Madurese satay carts roll in alongside Acehnese noodle stalls - you'll smell caramelizing goat fat mixed with lemongrass smoke. Local families eat late. Arrive after 9 pm for the full atmosphere.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Surabaya Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Blue Bird taxis now use meters again (2026) - insist on 'argo' before you get in. If the driver quotes a flat fare, wave down the next one
The new orange MRT line won't open until December 2026, so Trans Semanggi buses remain the fastest east-west route across the city - buy a Rp 10,000 tap card at any major stop
House of Sampoerna gives out free kretek cigarettes at the end of the tour. If you don't smoke, take them anyway - locals will happily trade a pack for directions or a photo
October is pisang goreng madu season - banana fritters drizzled with wild honey from Banyuwangi. The best vendor sets up after 8 pm outside Ampel Mosque's south gate
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming Surabaya is just a transit city to Bromo - staying two nights gives you time to see Dutch art-deco architecture you won't find in Jakarta or Yogyakarta
Wearing shorts into mosques - Ampel security will hand you a sarong and charge Rp 5,000 for the rental. Bring your own lightweight pants
Skip the terminal taxi desk. Walk 200 m (656 ft) to the departure drop-off zone and flag a Blue Bird. You pay half the fare. Simple.
Forget one-day whistle-stops. Traffic lights stay synchronized for 30 km/h (19 mph). A distance that looks tiny on Google Maps still eats 45 minutes. Plan less, enjoy more.
Explore More Activities in Surabaya
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Surabaya.
See All Surabaya Tours on Viator