Comments...

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 east side ride, 2007-02-14 16:01:59

surfed here
I stayed here for a week last year around late November. I thought the waves were "ok". We caught the tail end of a pretty decent swell 5-8ft faces. It was a bit irritating because they were very shoulder-y and didnt wall up unless it was for a few seconds to close out. I found this to be the case at all the spots on the island the entire time I was there. I would say the swell was 2-5+ feet while I was there. The entry and exits really are sketchy too. Much too sketchy for the type of waves you are risking it for. As far as the sharks I didn't buy what I read and have surfed for 15+ years and seen plenty of sharks. Honestly this place is very sharky compared to most any other places I have surfed and I've surfed a lot out of the country. The fact that there is hardly anyone else around also makes it a bit eerie at sunrise and sunset. You definately don't want to try and find your way in on the reef at sunset either. All in all its a cool place to go but I think with a bit more travel time you can get a much better chance at quality waves that might actually barrell. I would think much more consistency too. ie Barbados, Costa, Mex...Just my 2 cents.

comment by dude, 2006-07-31 03:06:49

been here
surfed this place a few times.. so many urchins and mediocre waves. i got chased out by a shark on a dawn patrol session. 7 foot grey reef shark. i saw it and waited 5 mins for him to leave... i went out and it ate a stingray as i was paddling out and i didnt wanna bethe next thing on the menu. i didnt get thisplace when it was too good. i surfed hamburgers instead. if you dont know what your doing, youd be best off not surfing in the abacos at all

comment by anonymous, 2006-03-03 22:18:16

trip 3/14
Heading to Hope town in march. Any chance of swell and if so where is the best break (beach and reef)? what direction does the swell need to come from? How about the sharks everyone keeps talking about?

comment by anonymous, 2006-02-02 15:20:26

tons of sharks dont go...and garbonzo isnt on turtle cay man..i dont know what your surfing..

comment by anonymous, 2006-01-16 06:03:30

sharks?
has anyone had any problems with sharks on abaco island. I have heard the surfing can be great but getting bitten by a shark would definately put a damper on my fun. Thanks

comment by benl@ufl.edu, 2005-12-23 01:48:08

swell angle
I have a question on how north or even northwest the swell angle could be and if garbanzos can pull that swell in. I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me an answer, thanks.

comment by rasta, 2005-12-06 06:13:49

respekit!!
I visit turtle cay every x-mas and catch it good almost everytime. it gets flat sometimes but its way more consistent than anywhere on the east coast. garbonzos is the spot. on good days it breaks like trestles but its all lefts with a few chunky rights. On bigger swells at the right direction, rush reef is the spot. It breaks like indo when its working. Ive caught it perfect a couple times with insane over head pits. The whole island is beautiful including the reefs. If your gonna surf here, repect the island. dont bring your booties or reef shoes. they fuck up one of the few live reefs left in the area. If you cant handle the urchins then dont surf here.

comment by anonymous, 2005-04-14 20:02:47

Hey Matty
It makes me wonder if you have really own a piece of property in the Bahamas much less near Abaco. For one if you surf you know where this spot is, second if the picture didnt give it away you have never been to Hope town, and most of all it is not key, it's CAY. I lived there for quite a while and there is no one that would not have corected you the first time you wrote or pronounced it wrong. Im not saying that you don't own any land there but if you do you should go there once in a decade or so