Seafood in Bali

The most recent Lonely Planet guide tells us not to eat seafood while holidaying in Bali for health reasons, particularly prawns and oysters.

Surely God, Shiva, Allah or whoever's really in charge can't visit us with such a cruel irony - that we can go on a holiday somewhere so tropical, beautiful and relaxing and not eat seafood???

Somebody tell me it's not true!

[Bert Vierstra]

I have been eating seafood at Jimbaran beach, and I am still alive. Hard to get something else there anyway. What would be the problem with the seafood?

[Irislahay]

Pufffff!!!!

Maybe you have alergic with these animals? I went to Lebih beach with my husband for seafood, he still breathing like Bert...

[maurits]

Jimbaran has nice seafood!

I would just be cautious with these small prawns... mostly these are the ones that make you sick... So eat large portions...

I believe you can eat safely seafood in Bali, and if you not trust it, go to a restaurant that looks clean and hygienic

[Tracey]

I live on seafood in Bali... Even from the least cleanliest of places..
If you get ill, I'd have to say it was probably something else...
Never been ill!

It is poppycock... (Sorry, could not think of anything else!)

[Bert Vierstra]

Surrender to the magic of Bali's lush landscape, rich culture and gracious people. With this in-depth guide you'll trek to the volcanic peak of Gunung Batur, feast on succulent seafood and exotic fruits, and be spellbound by gamelan music or a shadow puppet play. Includes a chapter on Lombok.

Amazon Editorial Review of Lonely Planet Bali

[Bert Vierstra]

Some quotes from the net.

Fresh seafood on the beach at Jimbaran Bay - a longtime favourite with westerners - is likely to cost you the same as seafood in Australia. Sadly, though, the quality of the servings here has diminished in recent years.

Make sure that the seafood is from today, and not from yesterday

[Roy]

Ah, Jimbaran dining. For sure it can be akin to Russian roulette, but, it can also be a gastronomical coup.

Experience has taught us, that the seafood vendors, closest to the eastern side…nearer the Four Seasons, are most likely to have on hand the freshest seafood.

A few tips. With fish, check the eyes. If clear, that is good. If they look like they have cataracts, that is, cloudy eyes, not so good, so pass. With shrimp/prawns, pick them up in the middle of their body. If they hang over, and are limp…then pass. If they seem still firm, and only bend to form a wide V…that is good.

I take my entire extended Balinese family to Jimbaran twice a year, for a real feast. It’s not cheap, and I’ll agree one could get sick there if ignorant about the ins and outs of seafood. But, with a little local knowledge and some good luck, Jimbaran shore dining on the best of what the sea has offered, is a truly great experience.

[Margriet]

I think you always have to be a bit careful with seafood....so I quess the lonely planet means something like that too.