Things To Do in Jimbaran Bay

The Puru Ulun Siwi temple, at the village's main crossroads, dates from the 18th century and is one of the few that faces east, rather than north to Mount Gunung Agung, as is the usual practice. This is because the temple, once a primitive shrine, became a Hindu-Balinese temple fairly early in the 11th century. At this time, the holy man Mpu Kuturan still followed the custom of his native Java in orienting his temple toward holy Mount Semura in East Java. You might just catch a farmer, from the market across the street, at the temple collecting water to bless his fields for good harvests -- and to keep rodents at bay. The produce market across the street isn't one of Bali's largest but it is one of the best. Because of its proximity to the seafood market, many of the island's chefs and their staff shop here. As a result, farmers know to bring their best and brightest produce.

An increasing number of higher-end retail outlets are spread out on the main access stretch, Jalan Raya Uluwatu. Shops here are spread out, so map out where you're going beforehand. Shops are open daily, typically from 9am to 6 or 7pm.

Market

Go early to the Jimbaran fish market (Kedonganan Fish Market), on the northeast corner of the main crossroads in the village, just across the street from Pura Ulun Siwi temple. The market opens at 4am and sells the highest quality and freshest seafood in all of south Bali. The market and adjacent beach at Jimbaran Bay are hives of morning activity. Colorful wooden boats with their high prows, decorated masts, and ropes covered in bright flags provide a bright burst of color. These elaborately dressed boats come from Java, Sulawesi, and Flores, and stop on every island to sell their catch. The waters nearest to Bali are often overfished, so most of the seafood comes from other nearby waters. Young boys rush to the boats to help pull them onto shore for the market stall owners to inspect the catch.