Brunei

From CruisersWiki

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Brunei.

The Sultanate of Brunei (Full name: Negara Brunei Darussalam) is a small but - thanks to natural gas and petroleum resources - very rich country located in Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by Malaysia and has two parts physically separated by Malaysia, almost being an enclave. Strategically located on the South China Sea, close to vital sea lanes linking Indian and Pacific Oceans, it has an exclusive economic fishing zone that extends as far as Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands although it makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs.

A constitutional sultanate, with a hereditary monarch, it is a modern example of how this form of government has stood the test of time.

Charts

Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.

Weather

Brunei's climate is tropical and very humid averaging 77-95°F (25-35°C). Sudden and heavy rain falls all year round, especially from November to February (during the NW monsoon).

Sources of weather forecasting:

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

This section does not apply for many islands, remove it if this is the case for this particular. You may, however, list ismall islands adjacent to this one or list one or two of its neighbors.

For islands that have their own page list them as shown below.

• [[Island1]]
• [[Island2]]

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Brunei Bay Radio monitors a range of NFM Simplex frequencies, also providing SailMail and YOTREPS reports.

Navigation

Warning: Many offshore oil and gas installations make navigation difficult, especially at night. An official exclusion zone exists around all the offshore installations and vessels are advised to keep well away from these areas. Vent pipes and other unmanned installations are often unlit. Approach Brunei with extreme care.

Entrance

Give details for entering and exiting the country.

Immigration

Nationals from Israel are not granted a Visa for Brunei.

No visas required by nationals of the following countries: USA (for 90 days), ; and for a stay of 30 days; U.K., Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore and The United Arab Emirates: For a 14 day stay; Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Norway, Peru, The Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand and Vietnam.

Citizens of other EU countries require a visa.

Nationals of Australia are advised to obtain prior visas although it is possible to obtain one at the Brunei International Airport for a stay of 14 days. A full visa is necessary for longer stays.

All other nationalities require a visa in advance, which can be obtained from Brunei or British consulates.

• Proof of sufficient funds may be required.
• Passports must have a validity of at least 6 months.

Citizens from those countries requiring a visa and arriving without one, will receive a (72 hour) Transit Pass. This Transit Pass requires that you are in fact in transit, via Brunei.

See the Official Website for current details.

Fees (Aug.'08)

• Single entry Visa = B$15.00
• Multi-entry Visa = B$20.00

Customs

• Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
• Alcohol must be declared to customs on arrival. A non Muslim over 17 years of age may bring in not more than two bottles of liquor (about 2 litres) and twelve cans of beer for personal consumption.
• There are no restrictions on pets.

Health

Submit any health warnings/information.

Security

Details?

Berthing

• Bandar Seri Bagawan (Port of entry)
• Kuala Belait (Port of entry)
• Muara (Port of entry)
• Begawan

Transportation

List transportation to other countries, etc.

Friends

Allan Riches of Brunei Bay Radio is always willing to assist cruisers.
Brunei Bay Radio
PO Box 2234, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8674
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Phn: 673 2 262676 Fax: 673 2 262675

Unit 105, 1st Floor, PGGMB Building
Jalan Sungai Kianggeh
Bandar Seri Begawan BS8111
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Email

General

Brunei Bay Radio
1) Brunei Bay Radio now operates an extended version of SailMail - see the Email at Sea section.

2) Brunei now has a small-craft shipyard for haul-out and repairs of recreational vessels; yachts, motor yachts etc. It has been operating for 18 months working on tugs, ferries, pilot boats, fishing trawlers and oil and gas support vessels. A long-term goal of myself and the local owners, my Intrepid Yachting operation has now taken on the responsibility to schedule, manage and supervise recreational vessel work. My aim in doing this is to help make the NW coast of Borneo and southern Philippines more attractive as cruising destinations, and to support the rapidly growing number of international yachts that are discovering the great anchorages, shore attractions, culture, activities and low-cost of exploring South East Asia's less commercialised areas. The shipyard is manned by experienced and qualified staff - mostly from overseas - and can therefore provide a standard of service not previously available in this region.

Duty free import of boat parts, no income tax on salaries, no sales tax or GST to add to goods or services, diesel for Bn/Sg$0.31 cents per litre (approx US$0.20 cents per litre), a great range of imported foods, embassies from around the world (Brunei is the only nation with it's capital city on the island of Borneo), and a network of flights to local, regional and international destinations, makes Brunei an attractive venue for re-supply, haul-out, on-water repairs, and a secure anchorage to leave boats while exploring ashore or travelling home for Christmas and New Year.

For enquiries about both of these services, please email Allan

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Brunei at the Wikipedia
• Brunei at the Wikivoyage

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:

Rod Heikel, Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718, expands to

Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718

• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number

You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing xx, the following:

See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].

If you do not use the above link, please remove it.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Brunei and this page's details validated:

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse