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MENTAWAI ISLANDS

"Pagai"

"The southern Mentawai islands are home to a number of world class waves such as Macaronis and Green Bush. These 2 waves are the real pull for the majority of travelling surfers - but those who have visited the region will also know there's plenty more waves on offer."

Bat Cave Surf Break

Bat Cave surf break Sumatra

Bat Cave, Pagai

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bat Caves
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round

A long point break style right hander that wraps around a tiny tropical island, a trip to Bat Caves is a must.  This wave breaks for a few hundred metres offering fast walls, playful sections and even the occasional tube. This swell magnet catches most swells and will usually be bigger than Macaronis. Certainly a great day trip for everyone, as across the channel, high cliffs provide a place for those willing to try out cliff jumping. Non-surfers can also take in the spectacular scenery, have a picnic on the deserted beach & snorkel along the crystal clear reef that hugs the island.

Other Surf Breaks in Pagai

Macaronis

Macaronis surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Macas
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 10-35 surfers
Season: April until October

Macaronis is the reason you should come to the Mentawai Islands. At least for 9/10 surfers anyway. Most of us dream of surfing HT’s, Rifles or Kandui but fall short due to their ferocity. Macas is the answer! In glassy or off-shore conditions, it can deliver 4-6 second barrels from the take off, while the inside section delivers endless sections for re-entries, tail-slides, floaters, airs & cut-backs. It’s truly the thing dreams are made of.  Even in onshore conditions it cranks, and it’s one of the few reef breaks in the world that continues to work well on all tides. From 2-4’ it’s for everyone, 4-6’ is for more advanced surfers and at 8’ it’s for chargers only. In 2003, Waves Magazine conducted a survey (from 50 of the world's best surfers and industry figureheads) in order to rank the world's best waves purely for their enjoyment value. Macaronis ranked 1. Enough said!

Green Bush

Green Bush surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Bush
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 10-20 surfers
Season: April until October

If you’re not a charger or an advanced tube rider, then it’s best to give Green Bush a miss. But if you’re willing to go and you pick the right one, then this uber hollow left will produce some of the best barrels on the planet, let alone the Mentawai Islands. You really have to pick the right wave, but when do, this is definitely a tube ride you'll never forget. Not too shallow considering its ferocity, extremely photogenic, and a perfect wave for those willing to charge. To score The Bush, you need to time your trip with a new or full moon as it needs a big high tide to break at its best. Ideally early season, April - June when winds are lighter and big South swells light up the reef.

Fish Fingers

Fish Fingers surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Average
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Fish Fingers
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Sand
Crowd: 0-5 surfers
Season: April until October

A stone’s throw from the resort, just across a small channel is Fish Fingers - a perfect beginner wave breaking close to a palm fringed shoreline. A forgiving small peak peels regularly to the right and occasionally left, providing the ideal spot to try surfing for the first time.  And with a selection of soft-top learner boards to choose from (free of charge for Macaronis Guests) you’ll never find a better time to give it a go. Progressing learners can also try out Silabu Left and Mini Macas.

Macas Right

Macas Right surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: KFC's
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

Macaronis little brother aka KFC's is found across the bay from the left.  Ideal on a higher tide with a north wind, this noteworthy wave is so often overlooked it's almost a tragedy. Maca's right is often at its best when Macaronis is doing it’s thing and amongst the excitement will largely go unnoticed. But this wave can certainly dish up the goods, certainly around the head high range - running down the reef producing both barrel sections and fun walls to throw some turns on. So if you fancy surfing alone or with a handful of others, then check out the right, you might be surprised with what you find. 

Roxies

Roxies surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Roxys
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October

Roxies is a very fun wave that everyone seems to like. Its located 45 mins South of the Macaronis camp - and towards the very southern end of the Mentawai islands. It prefers some west in the swell and is pretty consistent from small to medium sized pulses that frequent the area. When it’s small it’s a top turn machine - but as the swell increases, this wave really comes alive offering beautiful barrels in dream like fashion. Many travelling surfers have compared this wave to a "Macas in reverse" due its synchronised shape & perfect rhythm. 

Thunders

Thunders surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Thunders
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October

Thunders is one of the most reliable waves in the whole island chain. It benefits from the fact that it not only picks up consistent swell, but it also breaks on all tides. It also has a number of take-off spots which will always spread the crowd out. The fuller tide can offer decent tube sections across a shallow inside shelf breaking close to shore, whilst on the lower tide a fuller shoulder breaks further out the back. As a rule, Thunders is an excellent option in smaller to medium swells due its diversity and adaptability in varying conditions.

Thunderbox

Thunderbox surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Rednuht
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-15 surfers
Season: April until October

The relatively unknown deep water peak known as Thunderbox aka Rednuht, is located on the other side of the island where you'll find its neighbouring left hander called Thunders (Rednuht is Thunder spelt backwards!). 

A short but uber thick right-hander that can deliver absolute gold from time to time if you know when to look. A throaty tube, barrels from start to finish and what it lacks in length is certainly made up in quality. With less than average consistency, the wave requires the right tide and swell direction to really fire, but when it's on, it's fully worth the mission. 

Bat Cave

Bat Cave surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bat Caves
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round

A long point break style right hander that wraps around a tiny tropical island, a trip to Bat Caves is a must.  This wave breaks for a few hundred metres offering fast walls, playful sections and even the occasional tube. This swell magnet catches most swells and will usually be bigger than Macaronis. Certainly a great day trip for everyone, as across the channel, high cliffs provide a place for those willing to try out cliff jumping. Non-surfers can also take in the spectacular scenery, have a picnic on the deserted beach & snorkel along the crystal clear reef that hugs the island.

Rags Left

Rags Left surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Rags Left
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

Rag's Left is a very long barrelling wave that only becomes more manageable during large south-west swells. An extraordinary sight to behold when the swell, wind and tide finally unite, the image will remain embedded in your mind for ever. Certainly not for the faint hearted, bring a big board and you might just luck into a 100mfreight train tube, before bursting onto a mellower wall, further down the line, which can be ridden for another 150m or more. The end bowl is certainly the easier section to navigate whereas the top bend of reef displays both picture perfect tubes as well as jaw dropping shut-downs. This place holds serious size.

Silabu Left

Silabu Left surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Silabu Left
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

Silabu Left is another overlooked wave in the region. Perhaps not world class or the longest of waves - but it’s certainly a fun option and rarely comes with any sort of crowd. Surfable on all tides it is ideal for those seeking a mellower left-hander (to Macas and Green Bush). Silabu is more protected from the Southerly wind than Macas, and as Macas begins to turn on-shore mid morning during South East trades, Silabu Left will remain off-shore for a good hour or so longer. Although not that long, it is a rippable wave to have close by (when staying at Macaronis Resort) - as its located on the other side of the headland. Charter boat guests never surf here, being too far from Macaronis (who go through the tidal lagoon to access the wave). So long as Macas is breaking 3-4 feet or bigger, Silabu should be also working, usually with very surfers too.

Rags Right

Rags Right surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Rags Right
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

Rags Right is a fast paced reeling right hand tube not far from its neighbouring left. Generally considered a high tide only spot, on the right swell, Rag's Right can offer perhaps some of the most perfect tubes in South Mentawai. A full commitment wave, for advanced riders and tube specialists only - this thick cavernous right hander churns along the reef with raw perfection before shutting down in front of two coral heads that poke their way out of the line-up. Be sure to exit the tube safely!

Mini Macas

Mini Macas surf break Sumatra

Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Mini Macas
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

Mini Macas is found inside the bay from Macaronis. Best at high tide, it's a fun & nicely shaped left-hander perfect for those looking for a playful session away from the main spectacle of Macaronis left. Ideal for guests staying at Macaronis Resort - guests can get dropped off on the way out to Macaronis and picked up on the way back. This wave works best when Macaronis is pumping so is often overlooked.

Bat Cave surf break Sumatra

Bat Cave, Pagai

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bat Caves
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round

A long point break style right hander that wraps around a tiny tropical island, a trip to Bat Caves is a must.  This wave breaks for a few hundred metres offering fast walls, playful sections and even the occasional tube. This swell magnet catches most swells and will usually be bigger than Macaronis. Certainly a great day trip for everyone, as across the channel, high cliffs provide a place for those willing to try out cliff jumping. Non-surfers can also take in the spectacular scenery, have a picnic on the deserted beach & snorkel along the crystal clear reef that hugs the island.

Other surf breaks in Pagai

Macaronis

Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Macas
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 10-35 surfers
Season: April until October

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Green Bush

Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Bush
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 10-20 surfers
Season: April until October

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Fish Fingers

Wave Quality: Average
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Fish Fingers
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Sand
Crowd: 0-5 surfers
Season: April until October

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Macas Right

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: KFC's
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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Roxies

Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Roxys
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October

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Thunders

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Thunders
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October

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Thunderbox

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Rednuht
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 5-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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Bat Cave

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bat Caves
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round

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Rags Left

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Rags Left
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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Silabu Left

Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Silabu Left
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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Rags Right

Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Rags Right
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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Mini Macas

Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Mini Macas
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October

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