Things to Do in Jimbaran

Widely known as Jimbaran Fish Market, the market that locals call Pasar Ikan Tradisional Kedonganan (Kedonganan Traditional Fish Market), is an essential Balinese experience. Every morning, brightly colored traditional fishing boats—and larger commercial vessels—unload an impressive catch. Locals will grill your purchases for a small fee.

Jimbaran Fish Market is easy enough to visit independently, though you’ll likely get more out of it with a good guide who can explain the types of fish and the tricks of the vendors’ trade, and direct you to quality product. Kedonganan is a popular stop on Bali food tours, while a few island tours that feature sunset fish dinners on Jimbaran Beach take you to the market first.  (In general, due to heavy traffic, winding roads, and language barriers, booking a private guide or joining an organized tour can help you get the most out of your entire Bali trip.)

Kedonganan is a pleasant, if lengthy, stroll north along the beach from the Jimbaran beach resorts. Your best bet for public transportation from elsewhere—unless you have the Indonesian language skills and patience to navigate the bemo minibus system—is the Kura Kura tourist bus, which departs from the DFS mall in Kuta and stops near the market.

For the best and most authentic experience, visit Jimbaran Fish Market around dawn on a working day. You will see locals unloading their catch, have a chance at the best fish, and might even be able to buy a tasty grouper, red snapper, or parrotfish fresh from the boat. If you’re visiting later in the day, shrimp and squid may be a better choice than not-so-fresh fish. Generally, your chances of clear weather for a fish feast are highest during the dry season, roughly May to October.

An archipelago nation of approximately 18,000 islands, Indonesia thrives on fish. One of the few elements that unites its disparate population is a passion for grilled fish (ikan bakar), barbecued to perfection over slowly smoldering coconut husks. Accompanied with a selection of sambals—the chile condiment that’s a staple of the nation—and fluffy white rice, it’s both core sustenance and pure deliciousness.

Waterbom Bali provides water-themed activities for the whole family, with slides, saltwater pools, adrenaline-pumping rides, and kiddie pools—plus dining, shopping, and shaded gazebos. The park is set in a tropical garden and provides habitat for endangered species, with more than 50 percent of its area maintained as natural green space.

 

Waterbom Bali offers enough activities to fill an entire day, or even two. Race on the dueling “Fast ‘n Fierce” or “Twin Racer” slides, test your balance on the “Flowrider” wave field, take a spin in the “Superbowl” aqua-tube, or zip down the terrifying “Climax” slide, which contains a loop and near vertical drop. You can also relax on the waterfall-filled lazy river, get a treatment at the onsite spa, or sip cocktails at the swim-up bar. 

Basic 1- or 2-day admission tickets are available, as well as bundles that include VIP express entry, lunch, gazebo rentals, and family photos. You can also book a private transfer to the park, which includes 1-day admission as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

 

Waterbom Bali is located in downtown Kuta, 21 miles (40 kilometers) south of Ubud. The park is 1.8 miles (three kilometers) from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and is within walking distance of Kuta Beach and the Discovery Shopping Mall. As public transit is not prevalent in Bali, taxis or private transfers are good ways to travel. 

 

With year-round temperatures averaging around 80°F (27°C), tropical Bali is a good place to visit year-round. The waterpark is open daily from 9am to 6pm and is closed only on the day of Nyepi, a Balinese public holiday.

 

The park’s “Constrictor” slide slithers an impressive 792 feet (241 meters) through the park’s lush tropical gardens. The ride’s entrance is located in a back corner of the park, near the similar “Python” and “Green Viper” slides. Rde by yourself or hop in a double raft with a family member or friend.

Located north of Kuta Beach and Legian Beach, Seminyak Beach is a sweeping strip of sand that’s drawn those in-the-know to Bali for decades. More upscale than Kuta or Legian, Seminyak is home to some of the island’s most iconic beach clubs and restaurants, as well as fun surf breaks. Behind the shore, Seminyak proper is a shopping and dining mecca.

In addition to some of Bali’s most luxurious accommodation, Seminyak Beach hosts a world-class selection of beach clubs and restaurants, including KU DE TA, Potato Head Beach Club, La Lucciola, and Mejekawi (within KU DE TA). 

The spectacular sunsets on Bali’s west coast are made for sundowners; in fact, some Seminyak beach tours duly focus on bars, nightclubs, and nightlife. However, there’s more than consumption to these sandy shores. Leisure activities include surfing, horseback riding, and kite-flying (popular with young families). Alternatively, simply pull up a beanbag at a beach bar and chill out.

There are limited public transport options in Seminyak, although the tourist Kura Kura Bus service stops in the general area of the beach. It’s easy for unqualified, inexperienced motorcyclists to hire scooters and ride them through the area’s hectic traffic, often drunk and without a helmet. If you’re bar hopping, hire a driver for the night, or haggle with taxi drivers: Blue Bird cabs are most likely to use the meter.

A sundowner overlooking those epic Seminyak sunsets is a must. Arrive between 6pm and 7pm, depending on the time of year. Like the rest of Bali, Seminyak Beach is at its busiest in August. During peak rainy season (December to February), avoid visiting early in the morning and wait until workers have removed the plastic trash that sweeps onshore. 

Indonesia has extremely high taxes on alcohol, both domestic and imported. This means spirits-based drinks are relatively extremely expensive. Illegal home-brew liquor, often sold in fake international-brand bottles, is hugely common, and kills scores of people every year in Indonesia. If a spirits-based drink seems suspiciously cheap, avoid it: It’s almost certainly fake.

Bajra Sandhi Monument is located in front of the Bali Governor Office in Renon, Denpasar. Set within beautiful parkland, it was built in order to mark the struggle of the Balinese people throughout history. It’s a cultural landmark for the Balinese and a huge draw for international visitors.

This huge monument is as popular for its surroundings and unique architecture as it is for its cultural significance. It’s a three-tiered black stone structure with a tall tower that’s surrounded by courtyards. There’s a spiral staircase that leads up to the top of the monument offering 360-degree views of Denpasar, including the surrounding government buildings and the towers of the Denpasar Cathedral.

On the building’s second floor, a series of 33 dioramas trace Bali’s long and unique history, including various wars and other challenges the island has faced throughout the centuries. The dioramas trace Bali and its people from prehistoric times through to the introduction of Hinduism and the period of Dutch colonialism, right up until its independence, including its present-day political, economic, and social issues.

Most of Bali's beaches offer up stunning sunset views--perhaps that's why this Indonesian destination is a top spot for newlyweds and honeymooners in search of a romantic getaway. But travelers say it's the shores of Batu Belig Beach that showcase the best sunset in the land. 

Batu Belig offers up peaceful stretches of sand that are quieter and less-visited than nearby Seminyak or Kuta. Travelers will find fewer hawkers and more locals at this gay-friendly beach where local eateries, restaurants and cocktail bars line the coast and provide the perfect location for watching the sunset.