Dumai Travel Guide 2026: Mangrove Coast, Port City Life & Riau's Hidden Beaches
Most travellers heading to Sumatra dream of Lake Toba, Bukittinggi or the jungles of the north — and sail straight past Dumai, a busy port city on the Malacca Strait that most people only know as a ferry terminal. That is a mistake. Dumai is one of Riau's most surprising stops: mangrove forests grow right beside the port, fishing boats unload their catch at dawn, and some of the quietest white-sand beaches in Sumatra lie just a short boat ride away. This Dumai travel guide covers the best things to do in the city in 2026, the mangrove boardwalks of Bandar Bakau, the working port and its sunset, the island escape of Rupat, and the practical details — flights, ferries, food and the best season — for a trip to Riau's hidden coast. Mangrove boardwalks — Dumai's green escape on the Malacca Strait. Why Visit Dumai? Dumai sits on the eastern coast of Sumatra, facing the Malacca Strait and the Malaysian peninsula across the water. Built on shipping, palm oil and fishing, it ha...
