The village was first mentioned in 1480 or 1481 as "Brunesse ... noviter erecta", and is a combination of headland and mud.[3] Bruinisse was originally an island.[4] In 1452, Philip the Good gave permission to build dikes and polder the salt marshes. The polder was completed in 1468. Bruinisse is a front street village with half a ring road around the church. The economy was mainly based on mussel fishing. The harbour was extended in 1872 and 1912.[5]
The Reformed Church is a neoclassic aisleless church built in 1904 as a replacement of the 1868 church. In 1962, it was restored and the entrance was moved to the side.[5] Bruinisse was home to 1,430 people in 1840.[4]
Bruinisse was severely damaged during World War II. On 12 February 1944, the land around Bruinisse was inundated by the Germans and bombed by the Allies on 5 January 1945 causing the destroying of many houses including the church from 1467.[4] The village was flooded during the North Sea flood of 1953.[5] In 1964, the Grevelingendam was built connecting Schouwen-Duiveland with Goeree-Overflakkee.[4] A recreational centre with marina was constructed to the north-west of the village.[5]
Bruinisse was a separate municipality until 1997, when it was merged into Schouwen-Duiveland.[6]
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