Scubareefing

Dive into the Seas and Oceans
Top Best 5 Dive Sites in Brunei

Brunei’s diving is not for the untrained diver afraid of waves and current as there will be elements of nature to handle. However, no matter what the conditions of the day are, Brunei’s promise to divers is that there will be amazing coral reefs and super structures awaiting you down there.

Introduction
Brunei is a tiny a country on the island of Borneo, divided into two distinct sections. It’s entirely surrounded by Malaysia and sits on the South China Sea. It is easily accessible by plane, with many direct flights from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Brunei is best-known for stunning beaches and protected rainforests and reserves. An extremely wealthy sultanate rules Brunei, and the country follows strict Muslim rules. So, if you’re hoping for an after-dive beer in a beach bar, you’ll be disappointed. There’s no smoking allowed in the country either. Setting these quirks aside, you’ll find the best dive sites in Brunei to be well worth the trip.

With over 60 dive sites to choose from — many completely secluded and untouched — your group will often be alone on the reef. You can dive year-round in Brunei, with the dry season between March and October and the best visibility during May and June, often topping 100 feet (30 m). Water temperatures average from 77 to 86 F (25 to 30 C).

So, what is there to see?

Brunei appeals to two very different types of divers — the macro enthusiast and the adventurous wreck diver. Brunei’s reefs and corals are teeming with small life, a macro photographer’s dream. And there are more than 30 shipwrecks to choose from, representing different eras and ranging in depth from 46 to 230 feet (14 m to 70 m). With that said, here are our picks for the top five dive sites in Brunei.
Dive Site Information
Top Five Dive Sites in Brunei :

1.) Abana Reef
Where is it: About 15 minutes by boat from the main harbor in Muara. All dive boats leave from this spot.

Details: Abana Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Brunei. It starts at only 29 feet (9 m) and slopes down to a maximum of 79 feet (24 m). With warm waters and visibility of up to 65 feet (20 m), it is perfect for beginners or advanced divers. There can be strong surface currents, but your dive guide and boat crew will be able to assist should there be currents on your dive. Try Poni Divers, which has some of the most-experienced dive operators, a highly-trained staff and well-equipped boats.

What makes it special: Abana Reef is large and features a vast array of coral and marine life. It evokes an underwater garden, with vibrantly colored soft and hard corals and whip corals. Look closely to spot rare macro critters, such as whip-coral crabs, harlequin shrimp and several species of cowry. Venture off the edge of the reef into the whip-coral field across the sand and you’ll soon come across a group of seahorses as well.

2.) Pelong Island
The small but beautiful Pelong Island is 20 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor.

Details: This dive site is best for novice divers or even snorkelers. It is a very shallow dive site, ranging from three feet (1 m) to a maximum of 59 feet (18 m). Again, like most Brunei dive sites, you’ll find warm water, good visibility and very little to no current. The best way to enter this dive site is to moor the boat further from the island on the sand banks and then swim to the reef. This way beginners can adjust their buoyancy first and then enjoy the reef. The reef surrounds the island, so you can choose from several sites.

What makes it special: Pelong Island is in a protected area. No one can visit the island, so you cannot moor there or set foot on the land. This means it’s a sanctuary not only for the coral and marine life but also for the birds and sea birds. Underwater, a vast array of hard corals make up the reef. You’ll see plenty of small reef fish alongside moray eels, stonefish and pipefish.

3.) Australian wreck
Where is it: The Australian wreck is about 25 minutes by boat from Muara harbor and only 10 minutes from Abana Reef.

Details: This dive is best suited to the advanced diver. It starts at 72 feet (22 m), running to a maximum depth of 111 feet (34 m), at a 50-degree angle, and slowly sinking into the sand. The wreck is 279 feet long (85 m) and 39 feet (12 m) across. The thermocline starts at around 65 feet (20 m) just before you reach the wreck, where the water temperature drops to around 75 F (24 C). The visibility on this site is always slightly less than on other dive sites in Brunei, with a maximum of 33 feet (10 m). Maximum bottom times vary between 20 and 30 minutes.

What makes it special: The Australian wreck is remarkably intact and offers great penetration options. Its history is compelling as well. Theories posited that the wreck was either originally an Australian ship or a Japanese ship, sunk by an Australian torpedo. Although both theories ultimately proved incorrect, the name has stuck. The ship was originally a Dutch passenger and cargo ship called S.S De Klerk and built in 1909.

The Dutch Navy scuttled the ship in 1942 to prevent Japanese forces from capturing it. The Japanese, however, refloated the ship and renamed it the Imbari Maru. In 1944, while sailing between Singapore and Manila, it struck a Japanese mine and sank while carrying cargo of slave labor. All 339 captives were lost as they were chained in the cargo holds below and unable to escape. The ship is thusly treated as a war grave and visiting divers can still see human remains and shackles. Since it’s mostly intact, you can still see the bathrooms and the tiled floors glistening white in the dark depths. With such a ghastly past, colder waters and slightly poorer visibility, it’s no wonder so many divers have claimed to have supernatural experiences and encounters.

4.) American wreck
Where is it: The American Wreck is a 5-minute boat journey from Australian Wreck, which makes for a perfect two-dive combination.

Details: The American wreck, or USS Salute (AM-294), is a World War II minesweeper. It lies between 72 and 105 feet (22 and 32 m), making it an ideal wreck for the advanced diver. The temperature ranges from 75 to 82 F (24 to 28 C), with the visibility reaching up to 50 feet (15 m). There’s lots of marine life here; as you descend you’ll see schools of trevallies and fusiliers. A school of juvenile barracuda hangs just off the descent line. The ship has broken in half and then folded in on itself, which makes it an intriguing exploration. You’ll definitely want more than one dive here.

What makes it special: Built in 1942 and launched in 1943, the ship functioned as a minesweeper and was received five battle stars for its part in World War II. In June 1945, it struck a mine during a pre-invasion sweep of the Brunei Bay with nine lives subsequently lost. As it sank it broke in half and folded in on itself as mentioned. The wreckage is still mainly intact, however, and lots of war artifacts litter the site. As you reach the end of the descent line, you will discover numerous rounds of ammunition.

5.) Oil rig wreck
Location: The oil rig wreck is about 30 minutes by boat out of Muara harbor, just west of Pelong Island.

Details: The oil rig wreck is comprised of nine structures spread over 1,000 square feet (100 square meters). The site goes from 23 to 62 feet (7 to 19 m) making it another ideal spot for beginners. Water temperatures top out around 82 F (28 C) and visibility can reach 80 feet (25 m). The wreck, designed as an artificial reef, holds numerous types of hard and soft coral. You’ll see numerous types of hard and soft coral as the wreck is designed as an artificial reef structure. Schools of barracuda and trevallies, nudibranchs and whip-coral crabs are also abundant.

What makes it special: The oil rig wreck is one of the first sites in Brunei’s “Rigs to Reefs” program, and it’s one of the first in Asia. Some of the first platforms were decommissioned in 1988 with additions in 1994. This site is also ideal for photographers as it offers stunning wide-angle shots of the rig and schooling fish. Macro photographers will appreciate the up-close shots of nudibranchs and tiny cowries. This site is a perfect example of the Brunei government and dive industries’ commitment to protecting their oceans and marine life.
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What's Included
Onboard shower and toilet
Tanks, weights and weight belt
Water, tea and coffee
Light snack after the first dive
Soft dive gear (full foot fins, wetsuit and mask) – requested sizes subject to availability.
What's Excluded
• Equipment rental
• 4 x AA sized batteries (if required for night dive)
• Airfare (if any)
• Taxes and fuel surcharges,
• Personal expenses (includes drinks, bills and tips),
• Travel insurance (proof of insurance required),
• Visa application and fees (if applicable),
• Gratitude for the Boat Crew / Guide
Dive Trip Requirements
• Valid passport and Visa (if applicable)
• Cash in Singapore or local currency (Brunei Currency)
• Personal Medication
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Able to snorkel/swim in the sea
• Minimum of PADI Open Water Diver Certification or equivalent (for leisure diver)

Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
How to Get There
Brunei International Airport (BWN) is located in the nation’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

This airport welcomes international flights from around the world. It’s also possible to reach Brunei overland from Malaysian Borneo.
Payment Terms
SGD 100 deposit required upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and dive trip.

Payment payable once upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and or with dive trip package/s.


Equipment Rental
Rates (SGD)/ Per Day :

Dive Torch : SGD 10
Dive Computer : SGD 15
Dive Computer - D4i : SGD 30
Camera : SGD 35
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Estimated rates for booking, Exact cost of dive trip booking depends on each dive itinerary and arrangement package. Invoice on the payment details will be sent to your personal email account upon booking.

Includes Boat transport, and for each pax meal - Breakfast, Lunch and transport back and forth to your hotel or resort or hostel accomodation.

If you will like to book for the accomodation for a stay for 1 Night or more for yourself and family members or for a tour group etc. , please indicate for your accomodation booking, for the number of days/nights of stay here in Brunei, and we will arrange for you.

Subjective to availability.

An invoice will be sent to you via email on the separate payment charges for accomodation stay.

Applicable to local and foreign visitors :

• The arrangement of the sequence of the itinerary is subject to change with/without prior notice.
• In the event that the venue of attraction is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative venue if possible.
• May request for travel itinerary from us via email.
• During trade fairs or the peak season, accommodation stay may not be inclusive.

All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.

If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip. Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Cancellation Policy
Any change in trip dates after booking confirmation will be subjected to SGD 100 administrative fees per change/s.

Full fees will be charges for packages cancelled or postponed with less than 28 days notice.

If you cancel less than 28 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, full payment will be non-refundable.

If more than 28 days, 50% of the package price will be forfeited with an administrative charge of SGD 50 Payable to the dive shop.

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.

If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road / traffic / tide / weather conditions on the day of trip.
Additional Information
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.

Equipment needed for the excursion:

Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera

All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.

If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip.

Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Please check you have the required travel documents before booking your dive trip.

Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your time of entry into Brunei.

Calendar(Date Selection) For Dive Trip Enquiry

Dive RatesPrice
1 person$1500.00
2 people$3000
3 or more$4500++

First select the Departure Date then proceed to select the Return Date For Dive Trip.




Estimated Cost : S$

There will be personnel attending to your dive trip enquiry


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