South Pagai

South Pagai (Indonesian: Pagai Selatan) is one of the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is south of North Pagai (or Pagai Utara) Island. The area and population figures given for South Pagai in the box to the right are for South Pagai District alone. They exclude the south part of Sikakap District, which covers the southern part of North Pagai Island and the northern part of South Pagai Island, together with various small islands in the strait between the two.

South Pagai
Geography
LocationSouth East Asia
Coordinates3°00′S 100°20′E
ArchipelagoMentawai Islands
Area901.08 km2 (347.91 sq mi)
Administration
Indonesia
ProvinceWest Sumatra
RegencyMentawai Islands
Demographics
Population10,110 (2019 Estimate)
Pop. density11.22/km2 (29.06/sq mi)

The September 2007 Sumatra earthquakes were located near here, producing coastal uplift, enlarging nearby islands and even produced 6 new ones.[1] The 2010 Mentawai earthquake and tsunami also struck of its south-west coast, causing a tsunami.

Surf breaks

South Pagai and its surrounding outer islands host overall what many feel are among the highest quality and the most consistent surf breaks of the Mentawai Islands. The surf breaks in this region were the most affected during the 2007 seismic event. Where the reefs raised around 6 ft in the southernmost tip of the Mentawais. Due to this, the surf breaks were altered and subsequently increased or decreased in quality, and even a few new spots were created. All but a few of the breaks in the South Pagai region are arguably World Class on a consistent basis.

The breaks in the area include:

  • "Roxy's Right" (a.k.a. Coldsprings),
  • "Rag's Left",
  • "Rag's Right",
  • "Buddha's Left",
  • "Thunders Left",
  • "Thunders Right",
  • "Yellowstones Left and Right"(a.k.a. "IDK's" a.k.a. "Dracula's"),
  • "Bangkok's Left",
  • "Lighthouse Rights",
  • "McFrights Left" (a.k.a. "Hole"),
  • "Moots",
  • "Sneaky Peak",
  • "Meat Locker"

Breaks are currently accessible by surf charter boat only, and due to the distance required to travel to the South Pagai region, they are frequented by less operators. An eco-friendly surf resort Southern Mentawai Outpost is reported to be built in 2014, in the South Pagai region based at the ultra consistent and high quality break "Thunders", which many surfers report to be one of the most consistent and highest quality break at all sizes in the archipelago of Indonesia.

References
  1. (in Japanese) Southern Sumatra Earthquake in 2007, coastal change, GSI
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