Tutong District travel guide

The central district of Tutong is wedged between Belait District to the west and Limbang (Malaysia) to the east, following the flood plain of Sungai Tutong. Recent growth in agriculture has seen the introduction of small-scale plantations in areas of Tutong, though most of the district is sparsely populated and covered by rainforest.

The coastal highway passes by the district capital, Tutong, a small and pleasant town on the banks of the river. There’s nothing much for the visitor to do here, other than stop by the small wet market or the nearby tamu (the regional open-air market, held every Thursday afternoon through to Friday morning). The tamu draws Tutong’s indigenous inhabitants (Kedayan, Dusun and Iban tribespeople) who come down from the interior to sell their produce. It is mainly a food market, though there are handicrafts on sale, too. A kilometre to the north of Tutong is the Taman Rekreasi Sungai Basong, a small recreation park with a pond, a stream and picnic tables. Meanwhile, just west of town is Pantai Seri Kenangan (Unforgettable Beach), a largely forgettable spit of sand dividing Sungai Tutong from the sea. Still, the beach is kept clean and the sea here is calm. Every July a local festival is held on the beach, with Malay games such as top spinning and kite flying.

The road continues along the spit as far as Kampong Kuala Tutong, a sleepy place set among coconut palms. There’s a small boatyard here called Marine Yard, where river trips can sometimes be organized. The arrangement is pretty informal, and you’ll have to just turn up and hope there’s someone around. The boat weaves upriver through mangrove- lined swampland, past Dusun and Malay kampongs. Look out for monkeys and estuarine crocodiles, which can sometimes be seen basking on the sandbanks. River tours along Sungai Tutong can be arranged through Ilufah Leisure Tours .