MY · Labuan · 5.29°N 115.24°E

patau-patau

A Brunei Malay village on stilts over the sea, with kuih from home kitchens and ambuyat.

Best time
Any time of year. Late afternoon is best, when it's cooler and the light is soft on the water. February and March are usually driest; October is the wettest month.
How long
2–3 hours, or a night in a homestay
Getting there
Direct flights from KL to Labuan take about 2.5 hours. Patau-Patau is on the west coast, about 6 minutes from Labuan town by car or Grab.
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MY · Labuanpatau-patau5.29°N 115.24°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A Brunei Malay village on stilts over the sea, with kuih from home kitchens and ambuyat.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPatau-PatauMY, Labuan
KLpatau-patau
≈ 1,521 km from KL, as the crow flies

Patau-Patau is the bigger of Labuan's two water villages, a few minutes from town: houses on stilts over the shallows, joined by plank and concrete walkways. Brunei Malay families settled here in the 1930s and rebuilt it after wartime bombing. Wander the walkways, see the mosque over the water, and buy kuih from whoever's frying.

Makan

  1. AmbuyatSago starch twirled on bamboo chopsticks and dipped in sour sauces. Order an ambuyat set at the Malay restaurants in town, or ask your homestay host.Map ↗
  2. Jelurut and punjungBruneian kuih: jelurut is a coconut custard, punjung a soft rice-flour sweet wrapped in banana leaf.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The walkwaysWander the boardwalks between the stilt houses and watch the tide move underneath.Map ↗
  2. The mosque over the waterThe village mosque stands on stilts too, one of Labuan's most photographed sights.Map ↗
  3. A homestay nightFamilies take guests in their stilt houses, with home-cooked meals. Book a day or two ahead.Map ↗
  4. Kampung BebulohLabuan's other water village, smaller and quieter, where boats come in with the catch early in the morning.Map ↗

Good to know

  • It's a lived-in village. Dress modestly, greet people with assalamualaikum, take your shoes off if you're invited in, and ask before photographing anyone, especially children.
  • Some planks are old or wet. Keep small children close.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.