Bobs (Banana Bay)

Bobs (Banana Bay) is an exposed reef break on Efate, known for reasonably consistent surf and long right-hand waves that run over a sharp coral shelf. The spot is reported to work best with a good swell setup and is strongly tide-dependent because the shallowest reef sections can become hazardous at low water. Wind-wise, northwest is repeatedly described as the best wind direction for the spot. At the same time, regional wind patterns emphasize Southeast trade winds as the primary wind engine, which can blow the spot out when conditions align unfavorably; wind reliability for the spot is described as low, and gusting can be moderate. Safety is a core consideration: the reef is sharp and includes coral hazards and sea urchins, and there are additional concerns from isolation and shallow water at low tide. Guidance from sources emphasizes surfing mid to high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef, expecting a long paddle or walk over sharp coral to reach takeoff, and bringing all necessary gear plus first aid due to limited rescue availability. For timing, February is consistently identified as the best month. Water temperatures across the year are warm (summer highs around the high-20s °C), and the break can hold significant size on larger swells—however, it becomes very heavy and is described as expert-only when it ramps up.