Four Bobs (Mentawai Islands)

Four Bobs is a boat-access-only right-hand reef break in the Northern Mentawai “Playgrounds” area. It’s known for being fun and consistent, offering a rippable wall across a line of coral heads, which makes it a popular warm-up option when other nearby waves are less suitable. On the right swell setup, it starts working around 1.0–1.5 m (about 3–5 ft) and can build to 2.5 m+ (8 ft+) depending on conditions. The wave is typically described as peeling with soft-to-moderate power and generally good wave quality, while ride length is usually short-to-medium (often in the 50–150 m range, with longer rides possible when the connection is good). The most important safety factor is the reef: the wave breaks over sharp coral with shallow sections on the inside reef at low tide. Multiple sources emphasize avoiding low tide and being cautious around shallow water—reef booties are commonly recommended if you’re not comfortable with low, shallow stances. Wind also matters: North/Northwest winds tend to be favorable (more offshore), while South/Southeast winds can blow the wave out or make it choppy. Conditions and seasonality largely align with the Mentawai dry-season swell window. June is highlighted as a best month, and the primary surf season is broadly April through October, with the largest swell often occurring June to August. Crowd levels are generally reported as low, with even peak periods tending to stay manageable compared to more public breaks.