4 Bobs

4 Bobs is a classic Mentawai reef break in Indonesia, known for its clean, mechanical waves and high-performance surfing when conditions line up. It’s part of the Mentawai Islands’ world-famous wave zone, where consistent Indian Ocean swell and tropical trade winds produce some of the best surf in the world.

Wave type

• Reef break
• Generally a fast, hollow left with sections that can be powerful and punchy
• Can offer long, rideable walls when the swell is right

Conditions

• Works best with solid swell and light offshore winds
• Tends to favor mid to higher tide depending on the bank/reef exposure and swell size
• Best on smaller-to-medium surf for maneuverability, though bigger swells can make it heavy and more hollow

Character

• Known for being fun but serious
• The wave can be sectiony and precise, rewarding good positioning
• When it’s on, it can deliver excellent tube opportunities and high-speed turns

Crowd and access

• Like many Mentawai breaks, it’s often accessed by boat, usually through a surf charter or camp
• Can be crowded during peak season because of the area’s reputation and limited number of quality wave windows

Best for

• Intermediate to advanced surfers
• Surfers comfortable on reef breaks
• Those looking for a performance wave with punch and shape