Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Betsy Ramsey
Historically a lesser-visited Southeast Asian country, Brunei is gaining recognition as a desirable cruise ship port of call. We visited this fascinating country during our March 2025 cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong and made great use of our day in port!
Keep reading to learn how to best spend your port day (or longer) in this unique and unfamiliar locale.
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About Brunei
This small country (population under 500,000), located on the island of Borneo, has several features which make it unique:
- Brunei is one of the least-touristed countries in Southeast Asia.
- The country operates under an absolute monarchy, meaning the Sultan holds both executive and legislative authority.
- Brunei features a dual legal system, practicing both Sharia (Islamic religious law) and English Common Law.
- Brunei (perhaps surprisingly) represents a melting pot of cultures including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous, and variousexpats.
While known as a strict country with limited entertainment options, Brunei citizens enjoy many benefits, including a high standard of living and fully subsidized healthcare, education, and pension benefits.
Brunei in a Day
We typically prefer independent travel, however, Brunei was one location where I thought it was important to have a tour guide. For reasons listed above, we were interested in getting a detailed and first-hand perspective of daily life within the Sultanate.
To me, bringing tourism to Brunei is more than just business — it’s about creating opportunities, empowering rural families, and preserving the heritage and craftsmanship that’s slowly disappearing. It’s a way to celebrate our roots while sharing them with the world.
Irene Chow; Co-founder, Kommunihub
With little tourism, finding a good guide in Brunei can be difficult. Luckily, I was introduced to Irene Chow, co-founder of Kommunihub, a local tour agency. Irene was committed to another group on our ship, but she arranged for us to be guided by her delightful colleague, Azizan.
Communication throughout our planning and arrival was excellent! We were met at the cruise port in Muara and whisked off for a fantastic day experiencing the highlights of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB).
Being on a private tour allowed us to move quickly and nimbly. Furthermore, Azizan structured the day so we’d visit popular sights at different times than the cruise-hosted excursions (i.e., no crowds)!
We enjoyed all the sights below, yet never felt rushed or herded along. And learning about the country’s evolution and traditions from a knowledgeable local provided a perspective that we would not likely have encountered otherwise.
The BSB Highlight Reel
In one full day, you can see the most significant highlights of BSB. These include:
Mosques
- The Jam’Asr Mosque/The Sultan’s Mosque. This mosque is incredibly beautiful and unique in that it features decorated minarets – something we have not often seen before.
- Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. The most famous mosque in Brunei and arguably one of the world’s most beautiful!
Royal Palaces & Regalia
- Istana Nurul Iman/The Sultan’s Palace. While you can not enter the palace or grounds, you can sneak a peek from outside the gates. If you’re lucky, you may spy a royal family member entering or exiting the property.
- The Royal Regalia Museum. A small, well-curated museum featuring chariots used during the Sultan’s Jubilee celebrations along with gifts given to the Sultan from governments across the world.
Natural Sites
- Kapong Ayer Water Village. The largest water village in Southeast Asia, Kapong Ayer features its own school, mosque, shops, and restaurants. We even got to visit our boat captain’s home for tea!
- A Mangrove River Tour. A short way outside of Kapong Ayer, you’ll find yourself surrounded by thick mangroves. It’s here you’ll have the best chance of seeing a proboscis monkey (endemic to Brunei) or crocodile. We were lucky enough to encounter BOTH!
Near the end of our day, we decided to forgo shopping and check out the polo fields instead. Imagine our surprise and delight when Azizan informed us that the Sultan’s brother and nephew were playing in a match that day! It was an over-the-top way to wrap things up before returning to our ship.
With a second day in town, you may wish to explore the Empire Hotel & Country Club, the Malay Technology Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Chinese Temple, the local market, the large central shopping mall, or take a drive to the Tasek Lama waterfall.
Extended Stays in Brunei
The petroleum industry accounts for the bulk of Brunei’s GDP however, in recent years, an effort has been made to enhance offerings in the tourism sector. Irene from Kommunihub is passionate about contributing to these enhancements!
Irene and her co-founder started Kommunihub after picking up an outdated tourism map and exploring Brunei like tourists. The journey led them to the countryside, where they fell in love with the warm hospitality of the rural villagers and discovered places they never knew existed. From there, they slowly built relationships with the communities and worked together to develop meaningful products and experiences.
Those spending more time in Brunei will want to check out these immersive offerings. From traditional cooking classes to bushcraft/jungle survival, rainforest trips, bird watching, and parang (machete) making (a 2-day course), it’s a great way to experience the traditions of Brunei. The local makers and community members working with Kommunihub take great pride knowing that their hand-crafted wares are appreciated worldwide!
Brunei: Important Things to Know
- As an Islamic country, conservative dress is recommended.
- During Ramadan, all people, including non-Muslims, are forbidden from eating or drinking (even water) while in public.
- Mosques are closed to non-Muslim visitors during Ramadan and on Thursdays and Fridays during other times of the year.
- Brunei accepts Singapore currency at a 1:1 value against the Brunei dollar. This is handy if you’ve visited Singapore prior and are hoping not to exchange money in Brunei.
- Taxis are rare. In fact, there are only about 40 taxis in total in Brunei. For public transport, download the Dart app. Enter your payment information prior to leaving home for greatest ease of use.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post on the little-known and perhaps misunderstood country. Please reach out to Irene should your future travels take you to Brunei. Itineraries can be fully customized to your interests. Her in-depth knowledge and exclusive connections provide a memorable experience and a better understanding of Bruenian culture.
Thanks so much for your likes, shares, and follows! Until next time,
