Frentzes (Southland)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Frentzes breaks as a right-hand point wave (point-break) and is categorized as expert to advanced-level surfing. The wave works best with west swell, with southeast winds described as offshore and helping groom the wave face. On larger western swells the wave can become heavy and difficult to manage, and the overall ride quality is reported as average rather than consistently clean and powerful.
- Best suited for experienced surfers due to isolation, cold water, and hazard exposure
- Mid tide is listed as the best tide for the break
- West swell plus southeast (offshore) wind is the key setup
- Works with a specific west-swell setup
- Offshore-groomed wave face reported with southeast offshore wind
- Right-hand point waves when alignment is correct
- Highly inconsistent surf with no strong seasonal pattern
- Remote and exposed conditions with limited on-site support
- Cold water and challenging entry conditions
- Shark hazards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE
- Offshore directions
- SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Best conditions align with southeast winds; the wider Southland Coast is often influenced by strong frontal systems and westerly/south-westerly winds.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs or forest edges may create turbulence close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; working swell height window reported as 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with limited space for preparation.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Limited preparation space on rocky shoreline.
Through the year
Usually very quiet due to its remote location and inconsistency.
Winter months experience frequent storms and heavy rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A remote, exposed right-hand point break that is highly dependent on the specific combination of west swell and southeast offshore wind. Surfers report the waves can become heavy on very large western swells, and the overall surf is inconsistent.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best tide stated as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break with limited protection.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds provide offshore conditions that groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to manage on very large western swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality reported as average; surf is described as inconsistent overall.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power described.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand, peeling point wave when the alignment is right.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length reported.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer decent rides across the point when the west swell connects correctly.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Frentzes (Southland) in the full forecast view.
Frentzes (Southland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 11–26 ktsGusts 41 kts
- Direction
- WNW291°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2926 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.7–4.8 m11s period
- Temperature
- 8–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Frentzes (Southland) is forecast for daytime winds of 11–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 41 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.7–4.8 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- sharks
- submerged rocks
- strong coastal currents and potential for rips near the point
- remote location
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability for the spot is listed as no (remote and exposed).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Tuatapere or Riverton; contact Emergency Services via 111.
Rules of the spot
Respect the remote nature of the spot; carry all necessary safety and communication gear as cell reception is unreliable.
- Check swell charts specifically for western swell pulses.
- The spot is highly inconsistent—have a backup plan at nearby breaks.
- Carry a first aid kit and tell someone your plans due to the remoteness.
- Plan around mid tide, which is the stated best tide for this break.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Invercargill
- Nearest Town
- Tuatapere
- Parking
- Limited informal parking at the end of coastal access tracks.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is virtually non-existent for accessing coastal spots; a private rental vehicle is typically essential (a 4WD may be needed for certain tracks).
- Access
- Access is via remote coastal tracks requiring a sturdy vehicle; some walking through forest or along the coast may be required.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Camping options are available in the wider Southland region; limited lodging in Tuatapere.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; bring all supplies from Tuatapere or Orepuki.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available nearby.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Frentzes (Southland)?
The best overall months at Frentzes (Southland) are December.
Which wind directions work at Frentzes (Southland)?
Frentzes (Southland) works with SSE winds. Offshore directions are SSE.
What skill level is Frentzes (Southland) suitable for?
Frentzes (Southland) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.