Sunset seafood dinners on the sand, calm reef-protected beaches, the Waterblow and water sports. Our guide to the best of Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.
Jimbaran and Nusa Dua sit either side of the airport road at the top of the Bukit Peninsula, between the busy south-west coast and the cliffs of Uluwatu. Jimbaran is a fishing village with a wide, sheltered bay, famous for seafood dinners on the sand at sunset. Nusa Dua is Bali's purpose-built resort area, with manicured gardens, calm beaches and a long seafront promenade.
Both are a short drive from our Uluwatu villas, and we visit often for seafood, calm swimming and a quieter day out. This is our guide to the best things to do in Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.
This is the classic Jimbaran experience. As the afternoon cools, dozens of seafood cafés set out tables on the sand along the bay. You choose your fish, prawns, squid and clams by weight from the ice, they're grilled over smouldering coconut husks with a sweet, spicy marinade, and you eat with your feet in the sand as the sun sets and the planes glide into the airport.
At the northern end of Jimbaran Bay, Kedonganan fish market is where the local fleet lands its catch. Come early in the morning to see the colourful boats unloading and the market at its busiest. Some stalls will cook what you buy at nearby warungs.
On the cliffs south of Jimbaran Bay, Rock Bar at AYANA is one of Bali's most famous sunset spots, perched on rocks just above the waves and reached by a small inclinator. It's popular, so arrive early and expect a queue around sunset.
A paved path runs for several kilometres along Nusa Dua's coast, past resort gardens, beaches and small temples. It's flat, shaded in parts and perfect for an early walk, a run or a bike ride. Walk it in the morning before the heat.
At the southern end of the Nusa Dua peninsula, the Waterblow is a narrow rock channel where big swells crash in and explode upwards in huge sprays of white water. It's most dramatic at high tide on days with a big swell. Stay behind the barriers: the rocks are wet and the waves are powerful.
Nusa Dua's beaches are protected by an offshore reef, so the water is usually calm, clear and good for swimming, especially at mid to high tide. The sand is white and well kept, and it's one of the easiest places in Bali for families to swim.
Just south of the main resort strip, Geger Beach has white sand, calm water and a cliff-top temple at one end. It's quieter than the hotel beaches, with a few warungs and sun loungers to rent.
On the south coast between Nusa Dua and Uluwatu, Pandawa Beach is reached by a road cut through towering limestone cliffs, with carved statues of the five Pandawa brothers set into the rock. The beach is long and white, with calm water inside the reef, kayaks to rent and warungs for lunch.
The narrow peninsula of Tanjung Benoa, north of Nusa Dua, is Bali's water-sports hub: parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, flyboarding and glass-bottom boat trips. Choose an established operator, check the safety equipment, and agree the price and duration before you start.
Near Nusa Dua, Puja Mandala is a complex where a mosque, a Catholic church, a Protestant church, a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple stand side by side. It's a peaceful, interesting stop and a symbol of Indonesia's religious diversity. Dress modestly and be respectful of anyone at prayer.
In the Nusa Dua resort complex, the Pasifika Museum has a large collection of art from Indonesia and across Asia and the Pacific, including European painters who worked in Bali. A good choice for a hot or rainy afternoon.
On the hill between Jimbaran and Uluwatu, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK) is home to one of the tallest statues in the world, of Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda. The park has daily traditional dance performances and wide views over the south of Bali.
Heading further south? See our guide to the best restaurants in Uluwatu.
Jimbaran is about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport, and Nusa Dua about 20 to 30, depending on traffic. Nusa Dua's resort area is easy to walk or cycle along the promenade; for everything else, Gojek, Grab or a private driver is easiest. Uluwatu is about 20 to 40 minutes away.
The dry season, from about April to October, brings sunny days and the clearest water, with July and August the busiest months. The wet season is quieter and greener, with short afternoon showers. Jimbaran's seafood dinners run all year. For more, see our Bali travel tips.
Our Uluwatu villas are a short drive from both. Unite By The Sea, a four-bedroom villa with a private pool in Pecatu, is about 20 to 30 minutes from Jimbaran Bay: an easy trip for a seafood dinner. Temple of Tides, a one-bedroom pool loft near Nyang Nyang Beach, is about 30 to 40 minutes from Nusa Dua. Booking direct with us means no platform fees. See also our guide to things to do in Uluwatu.
Yes, especially for a sunset seafood dinner on the beach, one of Bali's classic experiences. The bay is also calmer for swimming than the west-coast beaches.
Very. Calm, reef-protected beaches, a flat seaside promenade, resort facilities and water sports make it one of the easiest family bases in Bali.
Yes. Both usually have calmer water than Bali's west coast, especially Nusa Dua inside the reef. Swim at mid to high tide and follow any flags.
Prices are by weight and vary by café and by what you choose. Prawns and lobster cost more than fish and squid. Always agree the price per kilo and confirm the weight before it's cooked.
Choose Nusa Dua for calm beaches, resorts and an easy family holiday; choose Uluwatu for cliffs, surf, beach clubs and a wilder, more scenic feel. They're about 30 to 40 minutes apart.
Unite By The Sea and Temple of Tides are a short drive from Jimbaran and Nusa Dua. Best rates are always here, with no platform fees.
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