Scuba Diving Guide To Brunei [Beginner Courses, Shipwreck Diving]

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Scuba Diving In Brunei

Scuba diving is a fairly new sport in Brunei.

Tucked away on the island of Borneo, Brunei was an obscure diving destination for years. But while it has a tiny coastline relative to its neighbors (Malaysia and Indonesia - both world-class diving destinations), the country’s diving scene is becoming more well-known.

In this travel guide, we’ll explore scuba diving in Brunei.

We’ll cover the main reasons to scuba dive in Brunei, the variety of dive sites in the country, wreck diving opportunities, the best time to dive in Brunei, and some affordable options - whether you want learn how to scuba dive or are already a certified diver.

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Table of Contents

• Why Scuba Dive In Brunei?

• Understanding Brunei’s Dive Sites

• Shipwreck Diving In Brunei

• Interested In Scuba Diving?

• Best Time To Dive In Brunei

• How To Get To The Dive Sites

• Helpful Resources

• Conclusion

• Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

• About The Author (Taz Zaidi)

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Why Scuba Dive In Brunei?

So, why bother diving in Brunei? Brunei gained its independence in 1984, so its tourism industry got off to a late start compared to many countries. But since the 2000s, diving has grown year over year, as Brunei becomes increasingly popular as a travel destination.

Because most scuba divers prioritize other Southeast Asian countries, the cost to dive in Brunei is generally lower than in neighboring Malaysia or Indonesia. For more on the general cost of traveling Brunei, click here. This under-the-radar status allows Brunei’s reefs to benefit from receiving less traffic and over-fishing (reef health is the single most important factor in keeping tropical marine life thriving in an area).

Spotfin betta, also called the “Brunei Beauty”

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Understanding Brunei’s Dive Sites

Brunei has over 50 dive sites along its South China Sea coast. Among these, the most popular are macro sites and wreck sites. Two of the top macro sites are “Pelong Rock” and “Abana Reef”. Both are home to much life, like octopus, shrimp and nudibranchs.

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Shipwreck Diving In Brunei

Brunei is also a top-notch destination for shipwreck diving. The country was strategically important when Japan occupied Southeast Asia during World War II. The Imperial Japanese Army took control of Labuan island, Brunei’s rich oil reserves, and Brunei Bay for four years. This turbulent era, followed by Australian forces defeating and removing the IJA in 1945, led to multiple WWII ships sinking off Brunei’s coast.

The most popular wreck sites are “American wreck”, “Aussie wreck”, “Bolkiah wreck” and “Dolphin wreck”. They offer much to history and animal lovers, as each have their own story and have become an artificial reef teeming with marine life. Bolkiah and Dolphin are suitable for open water certified divers, while American and Aussie wrecks are suited for advanced divers. There are also a few wrecks in Brunei that are only accessible to technical divers, including Baiei Maru and Yuho Maru, both at depths of 60+ meters. There’s also an oil rig (sunk by the Brunei government), that is now an artificial reef accessible to open water divers.

Wreck diving in Brunei

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Interested In Scuba Diving?

If you’re not quite ready to penetrate shipwrecks yet, there are plenty of opportunities to learn how to scuba dive in Brunei as a complete beginner. Brunei’s top dive operations offer introductory experiences where you’ll learn how to dive step-by-step at your own pace. There are two established, reputable local dive companies: Poni Divers and Oceanic Quest. Both offer macro and wreck dives.

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Best Time To Scuba Dive In Brunei

While it’s possible to dive year-round in Brunei, the optimal season is between March and September. This is when the sea is calmest and visibility is best. There's the potential for monsoon season conditions between October and February. But don’t let the words “monsoon season” intimidate you, as this just means there’s a much higher chance of rain and unfavorable conditions, like choppy water and less visibility. It’s possible to dive during these months.

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How To Get To The Dive Sites In Brunei

Luckily, the most popular dive sites are quite easily accessible as day trips from your accommodation in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Common departure points are Muara Port and Serasa Beach.

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Helpful Resources

• If you’re curious to learn more about diving in Brunei, check out these helpful resources:

  • Scuba Diver Life

  • Poni Divers

  • Oceanic Quest

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Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Brunei is an under-rated destination for scuba diving. With competitive prices, thriving reefs, preserved dive sites and reputable companies, diving in Brunei is a worthwhile, memorable experience. Best of all, you can dive the popular sites as a day trip, without needing to travel far.

We covered why you should scuba dive in Brunei, which wreck dives are best, how to sign up with a reputable dive company, and when you’re most likely to have ideal diving conditions. To learn more about Brunei, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

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Best Way To Find A Hotel In Brunei

Agoda.com is well-known in Brunei (and Southeast Asia) for providing amazing deals on a wide range of accommodation options. You’ll find luxury or budget hotels, resorts, villas, hostels, apartments, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique/alternative types). Use the widget below or click here to search in Brunei.

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