Private Bandar by Night Tour: Water Village & Gadong Market

Boat through the Water Village, then street food at the night market

A private evening tour of Bandar Seri Begawan combines a sunset boat ride through Kampong Ayer, the world's largest water village, with photo stops at the capital's landmark mosques and palaces, and ends with food sampling at Gadong Night Market. You travel by private vehicle with a licensed guide, visit a local water village house for light refreshment, and discover Brunei's local delicacies at the market.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kampong Ayer45m · entry included
2. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque15m
3. Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque15m
4. Gadong Night Market30m

Evening tour of Bandar and Water Village

• Sunset boat ride on Brunei River
• View Kampong Ayer Water Village
• See Istana Nurul Iman from river
• Photo stop at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• Photo stop at RIPAS Bridge
• Photo stop at Istana Nurul Iman entrance
• Photo stop at Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
• Food sampling at Gadong Night Market

The experience

The tour opens with a boat ride along the Brunei River, passing through Kampong Ayer, a centuries-old settlement dubbed the "Venice of the East." You'll stop at a local water village house for a light refreshment and a glimpse of traditional village life before returning to the vehicle for the evening's photo stops. The boat and life jacket are provided, and a bottle of water comes with you throughout.

The second half moves through Bandar's iconic landmarks: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, regarded as the most beautiful in the region; a view of Istana Nurul Iman, the world's largest residential palace, from the river; the RIPAS bridge, a 750-metre cable-stayed structure opened in 2017; and Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Brunei's largest, built to mark the sultan's 25th year of reign. Each stop is a photo opportunity, and your licensed guide provides context in English or Malay while the air-conditioned vehicle moves between sites.

The evening concludes at Gadong Night Market, where you sample local delicacies and experience everyday Bruneian food culture. The whole outing runs about two and a half hours. Hotel and airport pickup are included. Public transport options are also nearby if you prefer to meet the guide at a central point.

What’s included

• A bottle of water per person.
• visit to a local water village house with light refreshment.
• boat ride and life jacket.
• private vehicle with air-conditioned transportation.
• licensed tourist guide in English or Malay.
• hotel or airport pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Malay

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 19.99

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bruneian Guide

Is this one for you?At two and a half hours, this tour fits into an evening without consuming your whole day, leaving time to rest before or after if you're arriving or departing. The private format means your guide adjusts the pace and photo stops to your interests, and pickup from your hotel or airport removes the logistics of finding the meeting point on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Malay.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Kampong Ayer and why is it called the Venice of the East?

Kampong Ayer is the world's largest water village settlement, centuries old and built on the Brunei River. A Venetian explorer, Antonio Pigafetta, who sailed with Ferdinand Magellan's expedition to Brunei in 1521, gave it the nickname "Venice of the East" because of its layout and architecture on water.

Do I get to go inside any buildings, or are these photo stops only?

You visit a local water village house during the boat ride portion, where you receive a light refreshment and see how residents live. The mosque and palace stops are photo opportunities from outside. You do not enter those buildings on this tour.

What kind of food will I sample at Gadong Night Market?

Gadong Night Market specializes in Brunei's local delicacies and traditional cuisine. The tour includes food sampling there, though the specific dishes available depend on what vendors have on the night you visit. Your guide will help you navigate the options.

How does pickup work, and can I arrange it from the airport?

Hotel and airport pickup are included in the tour price. The tour is not available for pickup from Muara Port. If you need pickup arrangements there, an additional service fee applies and a minimum group of 10 people is required.