BSB makes an excellent base for day trips, and some of Brunei's best experiences are outside the capital.
Ulu Temburong National Park
This is the day trip everyone should do. The journey is half the fun -- a 45-minute speedboat ride from BSB through mangrove-lined waterways to Bangar, then a longboat ride upstream into the pristine rainforest. The highlight is the canopy walkway, a metal structure that climbs 50 meters above the forest floor for spectacular views across unbroken primary jungle. You will also swim in jungle streams and walk forest trails. Day trips must be booked through a licensed tour operator (Freme Travel and Borneo Guide are reliable options) and cost around BND150-200 per person including transport, guide, and lunch.
Mangrove River Cruise
Late afternoon boat trips from the BSB waterfront head into the mangrove forests along the Brunei River. The main draw is spotting proboscis monkeys -- the big-nosed primates endemic to Borneo -- as well as crocodiles, monitor lizards, and various bird species. Cruises last about two hours and cost BND40-60. Go in the late afternoon when the monkeys are most active.
Sungai Liang Forest Reserve
About an hour's drive west of BSB, this forest reserve offers easy nature trails through tropical rainforest. There is a small museum about forest conservation and you can hear the deafening chorus of cicadas in the jungle. It is quieter and more accessible than Ulu Temburong, and a good option if you do not have a full day.
Luagan Lalak Recreation Park
Continue past Sungai Liang into the Labi area to reach this alluvial freshwater swamp within the Labi Hill Forest Reserve. It is a peaceful spot for a picnic, and a good place for birdwatching -- the swamp is a stopping point for migratory water birds. The park covers about 270 hectares.
Iban Longhouses
In the Labi area you can visit longhouses of the Iban people, the indigenous "Sea Dayaks" of Borneo. A longhouse is a single communal dwelling for an entire village under one roof. Visits should be arranged in advance through a tour operator or local contact, but the experience of meeting the community and learning about their traditions is memorable.