
Surf Forecasts:
Schnappers Point surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NNW swell with 551 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Schnappers Point this week:
The surf forecast for Schnappers Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Schnappers Point in the next 16 days are 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Schnappers Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch.
Honestly, the outlook is pretty grim. We’ve got a long dry spell ahead. The first bit of surf worth mentioning doesn’t show up until Thursday morning, the 30th of July, at Schnappers Point. It’s a point break, and it’s fairly consistent, but you wouldn’t know it from this forecast. The opening session is just a small 3ft wave from the north, with a short period of 6 seconds, so it’s weak and a bit gutless. The combined swell energy is only 99, which is weak. The wind is glassy from the WSW, so the surface will be clean, but the wave itself is pretty ordinary. That afternoon, the wind swings NNW and cranks up to 12 mph, putting it onshore and ruining any chance of a decent wave.
The next morning, Friday the 31st, brings a bit more size – 4ft from the NNW, and the period picks up to 8 seconds, which is a little better. The combined energy jumps to 192, so there’s moderate energy in the water. But it’s a write-off with cross-onshore winds at 12-16 mph making it choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out.
Then we hit a big gap. The rest of the forecast is a sea of zeros and tiny whitebait waves. From Saturday the 1st of August all the way through to the end of the 16-day window, there’s nothing that qualifies as rideable surf. You’ll see the odd 1ft or 0.3ft blip, but with no period or energy behind them, it’s a flat spell. The water is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on with the temperature.
So, the honest truth? There’s one messy morning on the 31st that might be worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s not clean. The best of a bad bunch is Thursday morning the 30th, with that glassy 3ft wave – it’s small and weak, but at least it’s clean. For the rest of the run, leave the boards in the car and the kite in the bag. This stretch is a write-off, but it can’t stay this way forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 4°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NW 21 | W 3 | NW 18 | NNW 4 | NW 16 | ENE 4 | NE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | 62 | 64 | 551 | 192 | 207 | 84 | 46 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:02PM3.10m | 10:20AM3.00m | 10:38PM3.22m | 10:56AM3.09m | 11:12PM3.30m | 11:31AM3.15m | 11:47PM3.33m | 12:06PM3.17m | 00:22AM3.31m | 12:43PM3.15m | 00:59AM3.24m | 1:23PM3.09m | 1:41AM3.13m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:15AM0.40m | 4:26PM0.34m | 4:51AM0.28m | 5:02PM0.26m | 5:26AM0.20m | 5:36PM0.22m | 6:00AM0.17m | 6:12PM0.23m | 6:35AM0.18m | 6:48PM0.29m | 7:12AM0.25m | 7:28PM0.39m | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 9 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 7 | — | NW 16 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | ENE 5 | NW 15 | NW 15 |
18 | 37 | — | 210 | — | 10 | 84 | 46 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | NW 17 | — | N 19 | — | — | NNW 14 | NNW 14 | NE 5 | — | — | NW 12 | — | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 4 | N 6 | — |
8 | 12 | — | 7 | — | — | 138 | 20 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | 14 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 15 | — | — | — | — | NW 14 | NE 4 | — | NW 19 | NW 21 | NW 7 | — | NW 11 | NW 16 | — | NW 18 |
— | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | 14 | 17 | 2 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | W 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 |
10 | 62 | 64 | 551 | 192 | 207 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 0 | 122 | 10 | 122 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 121 | 91 | 96 | 109 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Schnappers Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Schnappers Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Schnappers Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Schnappers Point surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Schnappers Point) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Schnappers Point may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Nelson - Tasman Bay? If you are looking for accommodation near Schnappers Point, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - Tasman Bay, consider staying in Nelson which is 14 km (9 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Blenheim which is 62 km (39 miles) away










