What amphibious character do the Jedi first encounter on the planet of Naboo?

The amphibious character the Jedi first encounter on Naboo is Jar Jar Binks. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi meet him in the swamps while escaping the Trade Federation’s invasion in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

Jar Jar is a Gungan, an amphibious species native to Naboo. He has been exiled from his underwater home, Otoh Gunga, because of his repeated clumsiness. After meeting the Jedi, he guides them through Naboo’s underwater passages to the Gungan settlement, where they meet Boss Nass.

A common mix-up is Boss Nass: he is the Gungan leader the Jedi meet shortly afterward, not the first amphibious character they encounter. Admiral Ackbar is also amphibious-looking, but he is a Mon Calamari from Mon Cala and does not appear in The Phantom Menace. Jedi Master Kit Fisto is a Nautolan Jedi introduced in later Star Wars stories and is not the answer here.

Jar Jar later becomes an unlikely political figure, serving as a representative for Naboo in the Galactic Senate and briefly acting as a junior representative for Queen Amidala. His first meeting with the Jedi begins his central role in the Naboo crisis.