Magnets Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

(Nelson – Tasman Bay, New Zealand)

Forecast
- Hourly Forecast
- 16 Day Forecast
Maps
Live
Weather State
Spot Information

Magnets Surf Guide

Magnets in Nelson - Tasman Bay is an exposed reef break. Spring and Summer provide the favoured conditions. The best wind direction is from the southeast with some shelter here from southeast winds. Tends to receive a mix of groundswells and windswells and the ideal swell angle is from the northwest. There is no reef break. Crowds are never a problem here. Beware of - Urchins - Rocks.

Magnets Spot Info

Type:	Rating:	Reliability:	Todays Sea Temp*:
Reef	3	rarely breaks	16.4°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

Surfing Magnets:

The best conditions reported for surf at Magnets occur when a Northwest swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the Southeast.

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

What's the best time of year to surf Magnets (for consistent clean waves)?

augustBest Season: winter

The best time of year for surfing Magnets with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of August. Clean surfable waves are typically found 26% of the time in August while 42% of the time it tends to be blown out. For the remaining 32% of the time it is considered too small by most surfers but may still be OK for beginners and groms at times.

clean

26%

Surfable waves that hold up well for longer rides in prevailing cross-offshore, offshore or light wind conditions.

blown out

42%

Surfable sized waves that are of poorer quality due to prevailing onshore, cross-onshore or windy conditions (may be preferable for kitesurfing).

too small

32%

Waves usually considered too small for good surf. Some wave-magnet breaks may still work though if conditions are right (on occasion).

Explore Magnets Location Map

Interactive Magnets surf break location map. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Click icons on the map for more detail. The closest passenger airport to Magnets is Nelson Airport (NSN) in New Zealand, 32 km (20 miles) away (directly). The second nearest airport to Magnets is Woodbourne Airport (BHE), also in New Zealand, 54 km (34 miles) away.

Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)

Please note that some surf spot locations are approximate to protect their exact location while others are not shown at close zoom level.

Magnets Surf Forecasts:

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

Todays Surf Summary
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 12:29 Local Time

m, °C	Wednesday 06
ft, °F	9AM	12PM	3PM	6PM
Wave (m)	NNW	N	NNW	NNW
Period (s)	3	16	5	5
Wind (km/h)
Wind State	cross	cross- on	on	on

What does Magnets look like?

Latest photos from Magnets. Upload your own or view all photos on the gallery page.

Credit: Rob Davies

Tides at Magnets

Current tide and informaton

For Whangamoa, 2 km from Magnets.

Next High Water: 12:34am | 2.88m

Next Low Water: 06:21pm | 0.55m

NEXT	IS AT (local time)	remaining
high tide
low tide

Magnets Sea Temperature

The water temperature (16.4 °C) at Magnets is quite cool. If the sun shines as we have forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good spring wetsuit. Effective windchill factor of (15.0 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.

Current Temp*: 16.4°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite