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c h i k k a
b u z z
BRUNEI IS
best known for two things: oil
and opulence. All that glitz inland probably
overshadows the fact that the kingdom has a
161km coastline and 500sq km of territorial
sea. That’s plenty of water to splash into!
So, the next time you’re in Brunei, pencil in
a day or two at the beach and...
TEXT
KAT MATEO
PHOTOS
BRUNEI TOURISM
CHILL OUT
Want to escape
the hustle and bustle of the city? Retreat
to Brunei’s rarely crowded beaches. You
can swim, sunbathe, have a picnic or just
hang out. Head to the pristine Pantai Seri
Kenangan, or “The Unforgettable Beach”.
There you’ll find a narrow strip of sand
dividing Tutong River from the South China
Sea; stand there and you’ll be in between
two bodies of water! You can also check
out Pantai Meragang or Crocodile Beach.
Not to worry, you won’t spot any crocodiles
there — only clear waters and maybe your
own piece of paradise.
We give you four reasons to go
beyond the capital and head to
the coast on your next trip
Beaching
in Brunei
SURF
Take the Coastal Highway
and make your way to Pantai Tungku,
also known as KM26. The waves here
are usually around 3ft, making it perfect
for beginners; but they can reach up to
5ft too. If you’re a seasoned surfer, head
out from October to March, when waves
are bigger.
SCUBA DIVE
Brunei has a
lot of must-sees on land but there are
more amazing sights under the sea,
including 4,500 hectares of coral reefs, 20
shipwrecks and a sunken oil rig. If you’re
lucky, you may encounter sharks, whale
sharks and barracudas! It’s best to come
during the dry season between March and
November, when the water is calmer. You
can arrange dives at centers in Bandar Seri
Begawan and Serasa Beach.
Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Bandar Seri
Begawan.
www.cebupacificair.com
ENGAGE IN WATER
SPORTS
Head to Serasa Beach, the
home of the Serasa Watersports Complex.
It served as the venue for the water sports
events at the 20th Southeast Asian Games.
Boasting world-class facilities, the complex
now hosts boat racing and regatta sailing
competitions. You can rent equipment for
windsurfing, kayaking, jet and water skiing
too. If you’re interested in learning one or
all of these exhilarating sports, you can
sign up for classes at the complex, acquire
some mad skills and show them off to your
friends back home.