Located on Elbow Cay in the Abacos. You can take a boat from Marsh Harbor and stay at Elbow Cay. There's ferries that run back and forth from Marsh Harbor to Elbow Cay. Cheap Bungalows, houses, a few hotels near the break.
This spot is very consistent and fun. The reef can be very hairy at low tide when you walk out to the break. You don't have to worry too much about getting bounced off the coral because it breaks pretty deep. The real problem is getting in and out of the water. You have to do some serious dancing. There's urchins and fire coral that can hurt. I've stepped on both.
Overview
Atmosphere
Garbonzo is the farthest break west on Elbow Cay. When the swell gets really large, Rush Reef breaks in front of the Abaco Inn. One of the best waves on the east coast. There's a few breaks near the hotel. A fun left called the pool. Breaks right in front of the hotel bar and pool. The paddle out to both these is easy. you start from sand and flat rock before you hit the reefs.
General
A great trip for Florida Surfers in the winter. When it's small, you can spearfish and catch some serious mackers off the reefs. This place is very consistent in the winter. Don't expect 10-15ft, but you'll probably score 3-7ft fun surf. There are also several channnels and passages near the Island that hold epic surf as well. Get a boat and explore!
All the Abacos
This place is way too hard to get to (connecting flights, cab rides, ferries, etc) and everything is way too expensive. Stay in Florida or go to P.R.
comment by Anonymous, 2008-02-25 22:52:00
Garbonzo- GET IT RIGHT
This spot is called Garbonzo not Garbanzo (local speaking). Garbonzo is both a right and left and can hold anything from 2-25 feet. Entry and exit are sketchy if you don't know what your doing. Garbonzo gets crowded since it's pretty well known, but there is MUCH better waves in Elbow cay, although Garbonzo can be absolutely classic (much like trestles). Rippable to scary, but it's the most consistent spot in HT so watch out for the locals!- Sharks? yes, theres sharks but there well fed. It's not like it's more then anywhere else in the world, so if you see one, just get out of the water.
comment by Anonymous, 2007-08-06 23:15:08
Guys lets be honest
sharks are everywhere, but look at the reports and dont listen to the scare mongers: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/gattack/Caribbean.htm
comment by Anonymous, 2010-01-10 18:03:21