Jimbaran as an administrative entity forms a part of Kuta and encompasses the area just south of Bali"s international airport. Most of Jimbaran"s 12.000 inhabitants live in a cluster of traditional banjar neighborhoods at the narrowest part of the isthmus, but the Jimbaran area also includes the sparsely populations northwestern corner of the Bukit plateau.

Jimbaran village is unique in that it borders two separate coasts lying less than 2 km apart, each of which has a markedly different geography. To the west is the broad expanse of Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean. To the east is a tidal mudflat enclosing the shallow and sheltered Benoa Harbor. The ecosystems of the two strands, and the occupations of villagers who live on them, differ dramatically.

Jimbaran"s lovely western beach is protected from larger waves by a fragmented reef behind which lies shallow water, an ideal anchorage for large fishing boats. Fishing is the principal activity all along the bay, not only in Jimbaran itself, but also in the villages of Kedonganan to the north. Kedonganan"s catch always surpasses that of Jimbaran. The Kedonganan fishermen "who are mostly Javanese" use large, motorized prahu made in Madura to catch enormous quantities of sardines with huge purse seines. They depart in the late afternoon and return just after dawn to sell their catch to wholesalers waiting by the shoe with trucks full o f ice.

An early morning visit to witness the arrival of the fishing fleet at Kedonganan is a heady experience. Head north from Jimbaran towards the airport and take the first paved road to your left (west) just beyond Jimbaran village"s northern boundary. Bear in mind, however, that fishing comes almost to a halt during the rainy season.

Jimbaran"s market is located on the northeast corner of the main crossroads in the village. It is the principal trading center for most of the Bukit, as well as for the villages that lie to the north, between Jimbaran and Kuta. There are no crafts sold specifically for tourists, but there is a considerable variety of local products, including baskets and mats produced by the weavers of villages such as Ungasan and Pecatu. There is no special market day. Activity is greatest early in the morning and almost ceases by noon.