The best time to visit Brunei is February to April, the driest stretch of the year, with May to August a close second. Brunei is hot and humid every month (about 30-32°C by day and 23-24°C at night), so the season you pick decides how much rain you get, not how warm it is. October to January is the wet season, with rain on 21-22 days a month from October to December.
- Driest months: February and March, with about 12-13 rainy days each and the least rain of the year.
- Wettest months: November and December, each with over 400 mm of rain in an average year in Bandar Seri Begawan.
- Temperature: almost no change through the year. Highs run 30-32°C (86-90°F) and lows 23-24°C (74-75°F).
- Humidity: 81-86% all year, so it always feels muggy.
- Ramadan 2027: expected from about 8 February to 8 March 2027. Restaurants close in daylight, which matters more for most visitors than the weather.
- Big events: National Day on 23 February, the Sultan’s birthday on 15 July and Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the end of Ramadan, when Istana Nurul Iman opens to the public.
Brunei weather by month#
Averages for Bandar Seri Begawan, where almost every trip to Brunei starts. Click a month for its full guide.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Humidity | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C (86°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 399 mm | 18 | 85% | Wet, northeast monsoon |
| February | 30°C (87°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 239 mm | 12 | 86% | Driest month, sunny spells |
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 209 mm | 13 | 84% | Dry, low rain |
| April | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 273 mm | 16 | 82% | Hot, sunniest stretch |
| May | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 320 mm | 18 | 82% | Hottest, showers return |
| June | 32°C (89°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 282 mm | 17 | 81% | Steady, afternoon storms |
| July | 32°C (89°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 279 mm | 17 | 81% | Steady, Sultan’s birthday |
| August | 32°C (89°F) | 24°C (74°F) | 296 mm | 17 | 81% | Steady, haze risk some years |
| September | 32°C (89°F) | 24°C (74°F) | 355 mm | 18 | 82% | Wetter, haze risk some years |
| October | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 390 mm | 21 | 84% | Wet, monsoon change |
| November | 31°C (87°F) | 24°C (74°F) | 415 mm | 22 | 84% | Very wet, wettest month |
| December | 31°C (87°F) | 24°C (74°F) | 412 mm | 22 | 84% | Very wet, grey skies |
Annual rainfall is about 3,869 mm. Highs, lows, rainfall and humidity are long-term gridded averages for the capital (WorldClim and NASA POWER climate data). Rainy days are the World Meteorological Organization 1991-2020 normals for Brunei International Airport (days with at least 1 mm). The airport station reads hotter than the city average: its mean afternoon highs are 33-35°C, and its record is 38.3°C, set in March. Expect afternoons in the low 30s and feels-like temperatures higher still in the sun.
Brunei's seasons#
Dry season
The driest and sunniest part of the year. February and March each get about 12-13 rainy days and the lowest rainfall totals, and April has the most sunshine. Best for city sightseeing, river trips to Kampong Ayer, the beaches and the rainforest. Ramadan falls in February and March in 2027, so check the dates before you book.
Mid-year
The southwest monsoon season, with rain on about 17-18 days a month, usually as short afternoon or evening thunderstorms rather than all-day rain. April and May are the hottest months. In some dry years, smoke haze from land fires in Indonesia drifts over Borneo around August to October. The Sultan’s birthday celebrations fall on 15 July.
Wet season
The wettest months, ending with the northeast monsoon. Rain falls on 21-22 days a month from October to December, often as long heavy downpours, and low streets near the river can flood briefly. Hotels and attractions stay open, the heat eases slightly and the forest is at its greenest, but leave slack in your plans for rainforest days.
Best time to visit Brunei for each trip#
City sightseeing: Any month works for Bandar Seri Begawan. The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum and the water taxis to Kampong Ayer are all close together, and air-conditioned museums and malls are a short ride away when a storm hits. Go out early in the morning or after 4 pm to avoid the worst heat, and remember that many places close for Friday prayers, roughly 12:00 to 14:00.
Rainforest and Ulu Temburong: February to August is the best window for Ulu Temburong National Park. The longboat ride up the Temburong River and the canopy walk run year-round, but from October to January trails are muddier and heavy rain is more likely to cut a walk short. The park can only be reached by river, so most visitors book a tour package in advance that covers the drive to Bangar and Batang Duri, the longboat and the 50 m canopy walk.
Beaches and the coast: February to April gives the sunniest beach days at places like Muara Beach. The sea stays around 30°C all year.
Festivals: Come in late February for National Day, at the end of Ramadan for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the palace open house, or in mid-July for the Sultan’s birthday.
Avoiding Ramadan: Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year. It runs roughly 8 February to 8 March 2027 and 28 January to 25 February 2028, so in the next few years it overlaps the dry season. Travel during Ramadan is possible, but daytime eating out is limited.
Brunei's climate explained#
Equatorial rainforest climate: Brunei sits about 4-5° north of the equator on the north coast of Borneo and has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af). There is no cool season and no truly dry month: even February, the driest month, averages well over 100 mm of rain. The average temperature in the capital varies by only about one degree across the year, from 27°C in December and January to 28°C in April and May.
Two monsoons: The northeast monsoon blows from about December to March, and the southwest monsoon from about June to October. The weeks in between are the calmer, drier periods. Rain mostly arrives as heavy tropical downpours and thunderstorms, often in the afternoon or evening, that clear within an hour or two. Long grey days of steady rain are more common from October to January.
Extreme rain: Downpours can be intense. The airport recorded 662 mm of rain on 9 July 2020, about two months’ worth in one day, which shows that even the middle of the year is not reliably dry.
No typhoons: Brunei lies south of the typhoon belt, and tropical cyclones are rare. Flash flooding after very heavy rain is the more realistic weather risk.
Coast versus interior: The coastal plain around the capital, Muara and Seria is hot and sticky. The rainforest interior, including Ulu Temburong, is wetter, and the hills are slightly cooler and often cloud-covered.
Haze: The main air-quality problem is seasonal smoke haze from land and forest fires in Indonesia. It is not an annual event, but in dry years it can reach Brunei, most often from about August to October. Check the air quality index before outdoor plans in those months if you have breathing problems.
Daylight: Days are close to 12 hours long all year (11.7 hours in December, 12.3 in June), with sunrise and sunset both between about 6:00 and 6:30.
Festivals and holidays by month#
Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year. The 2027 dates below are estimates and can shift by a day, as Brunei’s Ministry of Religious Affairs confirms them by moon sighting.
- January: New Year’s Day (1 January) and Isra Mi’raj (about 5 January 2027).
- February: Chinese New Year (6 February 2027), the start of Ramadan (about 8 February 2027) and National Day (23 February), which marks independence from Britain in 1984 and is usually celebrated with a parade in central Bandar Seri Begawan. In 2027 National Day falls during Ramadan. Nuzul Al-Quran falls on 17 Ramadan (about 24 February 2027).
- March: Ramadan ends around 8 March 2027, followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri (about 9 March 2027), the biggest celebration of the year. Families hold open houses, and Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan’s palace, opens to the public for a few days early in Hari Raya; in 2025 nearly 62,000 visitors came over two days.
- May: Hari Raya Aidiladha (about 16 May 2027) and Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day (31 May).
- June: Islamic New Year, Awal Tahun Hijrah (about 6 June 2027).
- July: The Sultan’s birthday (15 July), a public holiday marked with state ceremonies and celebrations around the country.
- August: Maulidur Rasul, the Prophet’s birthday (about 15 August 2027).
- December: Christmas Day (25 December) is a public holiday, but public Christmas celebrations are banned in Brunei.
Traveling during Ramadan
Ramadan is expected to run from about 8 February to 8 March 2027. Muslim-run restaurants close until the fast breaks at dusk, and non-Muslims should not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight: fines can run into the thousands of dollars. Some Chinese restaurants stay open and sell takeaway to non-Muslims, and office hours are shorter. Evenings come alive with Ramadan food markets after sunset.
What to pack and wear#
Clothes for heat and humidity: Light, loose cotton or linen and quick-dry fabrics in every month. You will sweat through a shirt by midday, so a spare top helps on long days out.
Rain gear: A compact umbrella is the most useful item in any month, and it doubles as sun shade. A thin rain jacket or poncho and a dry bag for your phone help on boat trips, especially from October to January.
Modest dress: Brunei is a conservative Muslim country. Non-Muslim visitors are not expected to follow Islamic dress codes, and shorts and sleeveless tops are fine for women in malls and around town, but very skimpy clothing is not, and swimwear is for the beach. Cover arms and legs to visit a mosque; women also cover their hair. Expect to take your shoes off at mosques, homes, museums and some guesthouses, so slip-on shoes save time.
Rainforest kit: Shoes with good grip that can get wet, light long trousers and long sleeves against insects, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. A light layer helps in air-conditioned malls and cinemas.
Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The equatorial sun is strong even through cloud.
Places where the weather matters most#
More Brunei guides#
Brunei travel guide · Culture, arts and crafts · Food and drink · Shopping · Nightlife · Geography and wildlife · Month guides: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Best Time to Visit Brunei: Weather and Climate FAQs#
What is the best time to visit Brunei?
February to April is the best time to visit Brunei. It is the driest part of the year, with about 12-13 rainy days in February and March, and highs of 30-32°C. May to August is also good, with short afternoon storms rather than long rainy days. In 2027 Ramadan runs from about 8 February to 8 March, so plan around it if you want restaurants open by day.
What is the climate like in Brunei?
Brunei has a hot, humid equatorial rainforest climate (Köppen Af). Highs are 30-32°C (86-90°F) and lows 23-24°C (74-75°F) in every month, humidity stays above 80%, and the capital gets about 3,000-3,900 mm of rain a year. Seasons differ in rainfall, not temperature.
When is the dry season in Brunei?
Brunei’s driest period is February to April, between the northeast monsoon (about December to March) and the southwest monsoon (about June to October). It is not completely dry: February, the driest month, still averages more than 100 mm of rain and about 12 rainy days.
What are the seasons in Brunei?
Brunei has no summer or winter. Locals and visitors talk about a drier season from February to April, a mid-year period of afternoon storms from May to September, and a wet season from October to January, when rain falls on 21-22 days a month at its peak. Temperatures barely change between them.
What is the rainiest month in Brunei?
November and December are the rainiest months, each with over 400 mm of rain on average in Bandar Seri Begawan and rain on about 22 days. October and January are also very wet.
Should I visit Brunei during Ramadan?
You can, but daytime life is quieter. Most Muslim-run restaurants close until sunset, and non-Muslims must not eat or drink in public during daylight. The upside is the evening food markets and the Hari Raya celebrations at the end, when Istana Nurul Iman opens to visitors. Ramadan 2027 is expected from about 8 February to 8 March.
When is the best time to visit Ulu Temburong National Park?
February to August is the best time, when trails are less muddy and the canopy walk is more likely to have clear views. The park is open year-round and is reached only by longboat, but heavy rain from October to January makes trails slippery and can disrupt plans. Most visitors book a tour package in advance.
Does Brunei get typhoons?
No. Brunei lies south of the typhoon belt and tropical cyclones are rare. The weather risks are heavy downpours that cause brief flash flooding and, in some dry years, smoke haze from fires in Indonesia, usually around August to October.
What should I wear in Brunei?
Light, breathable clothes and an umbrella in every month. Dress modestly in town, cover arms and legs to enter a mosque (women also cover their hair), and wear shoes that are easy to slip off, since shoes come off at mosques, homes and many museums.