Schnappers Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.20° S 173.33° E

Schnappers Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Schnappers Point sea temperature is
12.8°C
0.4° 

Schnappers Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Schnappers Point surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, NNE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, N swell with 254 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NNE 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Schnappers Point in the next 16 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 18th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 18th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 17th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Schnappers Point over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Schnappers Point are looking pretty grim for a proper surf. We’ve got a long, drawn-out stretch of tiny, weak swell, and most of it is going to be blown out or just plain messy. There’s really no standout in this whole window, just a few moments where you might get a half-decent paddle in if you’re desperate.

The water temp is sitting around 55°F, which is about average for this time of year.

The first real chance we get is on Friday morning, September 18th. The swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the N, with a short period of 8 seconds and weak energy (39). But the wind is dead calm – glassy – which is the one saving grace. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. That’s a 1 out of 10 kind of morning.

The next possible session is Monday morning, September 21st. We see a bit of a lift in the swell, coming in at 1 ft from the NNW, but the period jumps up to 17 seconds, which is a long-period groundswell. The combined energy is moderate (117), so there’s some push. Winds are light offshore from the SW, so the surface should be clean. Still, it’s small and inconsistent – good for a longboard if you’re patient.

After that, it’s more of the same: tiny waves (0.7 ft to 2 ft) with mostly poor conditions. There’s a glimmer on Wednesday morning, September 30th, with 2 ft from the NNW and glassy conditions, but the period is only 5 seconds and the energy is weak (20). Not exactly firing.

The last day worth mentioning is Thursday morning, October 1st. Swell picks up to 3 ft from the NNW, period 6 seconds, energy moderate (42). The wind is glassy in the morning, so it could be a clean knee-high session if the tide plays ball.

Honestly, this is a lean run. For a point break like Schnappers, you need a bit more size and a good direction, and we’re just not getting it. No standouts, just a few windows of desperation surf. Keep the board waxed, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Mon night).

Wed
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
5
0.7
N
5
1.4
N
6
1.7
N
7
1
NNE
8
0.5
N
8
0.2
NNW
16
0.2
NNW
16
0.2
NNW
15
0.8
NW
6
0.8
NNW
5
0.4
NNW
8
0.6
NNW
15
0.6
NNW
16
0.4
NNW
17
0.2
NNW
16
0.3
NNW
5
0.3
NNW
4
0.3
NNW
5
0.1
NW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
39
23
123
254
120
29
24
24
23
43
37
19
0
0
116
25
5
4
5
0
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
5
NNW
20
N
25
NNE
10
SE
5
SW
10
NW
5
SSE
10
SW
10
W
10
W
25
SW
10
ENE
5
WNW
5
SW
10
NW
20
SW
5
SSW
5
N
15
SW
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
1:02AM2.97m
1:22PM2.92m
1:41AM2.74m
2:05PM2.70m
2:28AM2.51m
3:00PM2.50m
3:32AM2.33m
4:15PM2.38m
4:58AM2.26m
5:41PM2.40m
6:21AM2.35m
6:52PM2.55m
Low Tide
6:52PM0.43m
7:08AM0.51m
7:31PM0.66m
7:48AM0.75m
8:16PM0.89m
8:37AM0.97m
9:16PM1.09m
9:46AM1.14m
10:41PM1.19m
11:16AM1.17m
00:10AM1.11m
12:36PM1.05m
1:15AM0.91m
clear
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
 mm
1
2
8
6
1
4
2
2
Temp °C
15
12
13
13
11
13
14
11
13
13
11
12
12
10
13
14
10
12
11
8
Feels °C
12
10
9
9
9
11
11
9
10
10
9
7
9
8
11
11
5
8
9
3
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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

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