Pagai

Pagai refers to the Pagai Islands, a pair of tropical islands that form part of the Mentawai archipelago off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The two main islands are North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). They fall under West Sumatra Province and are administratively part of the Mentawai Islands Regency. The islands lie in the Indian Ocean and are characterized by rugged, rainforest-covered terrain, steep coastlines and surrounding coral reefs. The area has a tropical rainforest climate with heavy rainfall and relatively mild year-round temperatures.

Pagai is inhabited primarily by communities of the Mentawai people. Local livelihoods traditionally center on fishing, sago palm processing, coconuts and small-scale farming, with growing interest in tourism. North Pagai, and in particular the coast near Sikakap, is known among surfers for Lakey Peak and other breaks, drawing international visitors during the surfing season. The islands also attract nature travelers interested in pristine rainforest and coastal ecosystems.

In October 2010, a powerful offshore earthquake near the Mentawai Islands triggered a tsunami that caused damage and loss of life across the Pagai group, leading to relief and reconstruction efforts. Transportation to and within Pagai is mainly by sea from Padang, with occasional air service to smaller Mentawai airstrips.

Pagai is part of a biodiverse and ecologically important region, where conservation and sustainable development are ongoing concerns, balancing traditional ways of life with growing tourism.