Dumai is well-known for being a rich oil reserve as well as a significant transport and trade center to its neighboring country of Malaysia. Among the well-known landmark in Dumai is Putri Tujuh Grave which is said to be the cemetery of seven princesses of Sri Bunga Tanjung Kingdom which also happens to be located near an oil processing plant. Being the second largest city in the province of Riau found on the island of Sumatra with 316,668 residents living in 2,039.35 square kilometers of area, the city has humble beginnings as a small hamlet on the east coast of Riau. At its beginning of town declaration, Dumai only consists of 3 districts, 13 villages and 9 villages with a population of just 15,699 residents. It is a long way for Dumai to grow to this point and now the government is pushing even further by promoting tourism to this city.

Airports in Dumai

1. Pinang Kampai Airport

Pinang Kampai Airport is the main airport in Dumai and other surrounding areas, is located 13 kilometers away from the city. It is designated as a domestic airport with destinations around Indonesia such as Jakarta, Batam and Medan, although it may accommodate limited international flights. This is due to its capacity that could serve a Boeing 737 Classic. Initially built by Pertamina to facilitate its operations in Dumai, the airport has since served charter flights for Chevron Pacific Indonesia. Since 2009, Pertamina begins to manage the airport jointly with the Dumai city government, allowing more commercial airlines to operate routes to and from the city of Dumai. While there are no direct flights from Manila to Dumai, one can expect to board a flight from Manila to Jakarta and take a local flight heading to Dumai.

2. Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport

Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport is the main international airport in the province of Riau, Indonesia and it is a primary gateway to reach the province and the city of Dumai from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. Often referred alternatively as SSK II, SSK or Sultan Syarif Qasim II International Airport, it was once known as Simpang Tiga Airport, in which the new name is from Sultan Syarif Kasim II which is the last Sultan of Siak as well as an Indonesian National Hero. The airport area and runway base are shared with Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base. It has a new terminal that has finished construction in 2012, which is able to accommodate 1.5 million passengers. It is the main hub for Susi Air and the focus city for Batik Air, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air. There are a couple connecting flights from Manila to this airport being provided by Scoot with stops in Singapore.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Dumai?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travellers to find the cheapest flights to Dumai. All you need to do is key in the information in the search box, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to Dumai.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Dumai?

The off-peak season is in February which is the least humid month in Dumai. As such, one can expect travel costs to be much lesser if you are travelling around this month. The peak time to visit Dumai is usually around November to January, therefore expect prices to rise around this time. If you plan your trip well, you can undoubtedly save your money because the price for hotels and flights during the peak season will cost you a lot of money.

Dumai, just like the nearby cities and regions around Indonesia and surrounding countries, has a tropical rainforest climate which dry season is shorter, and rainfall is normally heavy throughout the year. The average maximum temperature in Dumai around 32 and 35 degree Celsius while the average minimum is around 23.4 and 24.4 degree Celsius. The hottest months are usually around April, May and June. Dumai too has a high humidity with some months being more humid than others.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Dumai?

1. Putri Tujuh Grave – One of the major landmarks in Dumai, this grave is the resting place for the seven princesses of Sri Bunga Tanjung Kingdom, now found in the Pertamina operations complex. The cemetery also serves as a memorial to remember the tragic event befalling the seven princesses.

2. Bandar Bakau Dumai – Also known as Nature School, Bandar Bakau Dumai is located at Jl. Nelayan Laut Ujung, Pangkalan Sesai with an area coverage of 31 hectares covering the Kuala Dumai River which is said to be a place of legends and folklore. It is a primary ecotourism site in the town which charges Rp 10,000 per entry.

3. Bukit Gelanggang Park – Initially a football field, it is redeveloped by the city government as a park that is suitable for all walks of life intending to do physical activities here in the evening. This includes installing a jogging track, playground area, fountain, Tugu Reformasi monument as well as a stage show. It also has a free connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.