Pouto is a surf spot located just inside the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour on the west coast of Northland, south of Dargaville. To get there, from Whangarei, head west on Maunu Road, then take State Highway 14. Continue onto State Highway 12 into Dargaville and follow River Road south out of the town. You'll end up on Pouto Road, which takes you all the way to the beach. Just a short walk along the sand gets you to the break.

When it comes to surfing, Pouto can deliver some decent waves, but it’s not super consistent. You’ll want to catch the big Southwest swells, as they can create some grinding right-hand point waves off the sandbank, mainly when the tide is low. The spot works best with swell sizes starting from around 1 ft (0.3 meters). The ideal wind direction here is Northeast, which helps clean up the waves. Pouto is better suited for intermediate surfers, so if you're still finding your feet, you might want to look for another spot.

Keep in mind that the environment here means that rips can be strong, and you’ll see smaller swells around the corner at Bayly's Beach if you're after something less intense. Just be aware that conditions can change quickly, so always check before you paddle out.