Macaronis.

About

Macaronis is a left-hand reef wave that breaks in Pasangan Bay on the western side of North Pagai, the southernmost surf zone of the Mentawai chain. It was first ridden in 1980 by a small crew of pioneers who called it P-Land for the bay it sits in. The reef curves into deep water and produces a wave with two distinct moods — a hollow pipe section on the takeoff into a rippable, rifle-edge wall through the channel.

Macaronis wants south-west swell with mid-to-long period; 10s and beyond is workable, 12s+ is when it lights up the full length of the reef. East trade winds groom it. All tides work, with rising the cleanest. Below head-high it plays as a longboard cruiser; through to double-overhead it stays under control. Above triple-overhead the take-off begins to ledge and the wave turns serious.

Intermediate to advanced. The inside runs over razor-edged coral that bites without warning; the outer wave is forgiving by Mentawai standards but the closeout still slabs onto reef. Boat traffic is regulated — two charter moorings in the bay, plus the Macaronis Resort guests on the inside — but it gets crowded. Sit deep, take a turn, and don’t burn the resort’s mid-week beginners on their first overhead day.