Teluk Jimbaran (or Jimbaran Bay) has grown in popularity over the years due to its relaxed and peaceful nature. With an old fishing village at one end, you’ll be in awe of this place the moment you step foot on its perfect sandy beach. But unlike other popular and crowded tourist spots, Jimbaran Bay is a bit special. There’s been serious efforts by both the locals and visitors alike to keep the place as tranquil as possible so that it maintains its relaxing allure. Which is a beautiful thing, because it means you’ll never feel like you’re in an area that’s overpopulated with tourists.
Where to Stay
Jimbaran Bay is a quiet area that’s known for its five-star properties. It’s got all the big names in hotels, resorts and beach villas, including the Intercontinental and Four Seasons resorts. A lovely bay with a picturesque stretch of beach, this area is also famous for the rich variety in seafood restaurants dotted along the shore. It’s an ideal option for both couples and families looking for that truly tropical resort-style holiday. It’s also in a good position for those who want to be close to the airport or the Kuta region, should you want to pop out for the day or evening to explore another equally fascinating and beautiful part of Bali.
What to Do
Jimbaran beach is lined with small family restaurants offering an exquisite variety of fresh cuisine – the main attraction being that you can choose your own seafood then have it cooked how you like in front of you! Take it down to the beach and enjoy an incredible dining experience watching the sun set spectacularly on the horizon.
But if you’re curious to get an even more in-depth culinary experience, wander down to the Fish Market and see the amazing Jimbaran Bay seafood. This place is alive with excitement and curiosities! You’ll find stall after stall of googly eyed fish and colourful sea creatures of all shapes and sizes staring back at you. It might have a bit of a fishy stench, but it’s worth it to experience the crazy atmosphere. Once you’ve had your fill of the fish markets, there’s no better option than to learn how to prep the seafood yourself at a traditional Balinese cooking class. It’ll give you a meal to remember and a recipe you can bring home and show off to your friends.
As you wander around the local markets, you’ll undoubtedly be taken by some of the Balinese goods – most notably the incredible pottery. If you want to see how the intricate designs are made, you can do so at Jenggala Keramik Bali Ceramics. It’s a warehouse which showcases traditional ceramic homewares as well as the actual production process of the pottery. You can even enjoy a meal after the show as there’s decent café right on site. Interested in a more hands-on pottery experience? There are ceramics courses available for all ages, so get in there and have some fun with it!
After you’ve done all those things, all you need to do to make your trip complete is spend some time doing all the aquatic activities you can on Jimbaran’s beautiful crescent beach. Snorkel through the waves or surf on top of them. Have a need for speed? Hire a speed boat and zip around the picturesque bay. If there’s one thing that’s for sure about Jimbaran, you won’t be left looking for things to do.