Jimbaran Bay is a long crescent of pale sand on the western side of Bali's neck, south of the airport. Sheltered by the curve of the coast, its water is calmer than Kuta's, and it is known above all for seafood dinners served at tables set directly on the sand, where diners watch the sun sink into the ocean.
Jimbaran is still a working fishing community. Brightly painted jukung outrigger boats rest on the beach, and the fish market at Kedonganan, on the northern end of the bay, is busy at dawn as the night's catch comes in. The bay's protected position makes it one of the gentler places on the southwest coast for a swim, although conditions still vary with swell.
Daytime here is unhurried, with locals swimming, kids playing in the shallows and fishermen mending nets. As evening falls, the seafood cafes light their coconut-husk grills, and the smell of smoke and charred fish drifts along the sand. Planes descend into the airport across the bay, and the sky turns gold over boats bobbing at anchor.
Highlights
- Seafood dinners on the sand at sunset
- Kedonganan fish market at dawn
- Colorful jukung fishing boats
- Calmer water than the west coast
Good to know
- Confirm whether seafood is priced by weight and agree on the total before it goes on the grill.
- Visit Kedonganan fish market early in the morning for the liveliest scene.
- Choose a table near the water and arrive before sunset to secure it.
On the map
Bali 2027 Travel Guide
The complete island guide: where to go, how to get around, what to avoid, health and safety, and the phrases that open doors.