Te Akau South.

Te Akau South is a remote rivermouth beachbreak on the wild stretch of Waikato coast north of Raglan, where the river outflow helps break up the close-outs that plague this exposed shore. The spot produces A-frame peaks over sand, working best at higher tides when the shorebreak gains shape and the wave becomes more defined. On most days the beach closes out, and the spot only earns its check when a light SW to NW swell combines with easterly offshore winds - a combination that delivers manageable, fun peaks for intermediate surfers. Rides are short at 0 to 50 metres, and the wave handles 1 to 1.8m with quality rated as good when everything comes together. The setting is genuinely wild and undeveloped, with the beach empty on most days. Crowds only appear when Raglan is tiny and surfers drive north hoping to maximise a minimal swell. Rip currents are present, particularly near the rivermouth, and submerged objects can appear without warning. This is a backup option rather than a destination - useful for those who know the coast and want to escape the Raglan crowd when conditions don't warrant the points.

River outflow sculpts A-frames where the Waikato coast otherwise closes out.