Surf Forecasts:
Schnappers Point surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, N swell with 908 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Schnappers Point in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Schnappers Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the 16-day outlook for Schnappers Point. It's a bit of a mixed bag this stretch, with a whole lot of nothing to wade through before we get to a tidy little window of opportunity.
The forecast period starts now, but you’ll be twiddling your thumbs for a while because there’s no real surf to speak of. We’ve got a long stretch of small, poor conditions with weak energy readings. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is pretty much spot on for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
Thursday, August 27th kicks off with tiny, sloppy waves at 1 ft from the north, and the combined energy is a measly 14 – that’s weak. The wind is light and variable, but the surf quality is just poor. It stays flat the rest of the week.
We get a spike in size on Friday, August 28th, with a building 7 ft north swell, but a nasty 35 km/h onshore northerly wind will trash it. The energy is moderate (442), but with that wind, it’s a write-off. The next morning, Saturday, August 29th, sees the swell drop to 3 ft north, but a clean cross-offshore wind from the southwest gives us a glimmer of hope. The combined energy is weak at 89, and the conditions are described as "surfable but very ordinary." It’s not a standout, but it’s the first breathable moment.
The rest of the days through to Thursday, September 10th are a real mixed bag of small, weak, and onshore conditions. We see a lot of north-northwest swell with periods ranging from 4 to 17 seconds, but the wind is mostly wrong. There's a notable moment on Monday, September 8th afternoon with a very long period 17-second north-northwest groundswell, but it's small at 2 ft and the wind is onshore. The energy is a solid 306 though, so it’s worth noting.
Now, here’s the standout. Thursday, September 10th is the pick of the entire 16 days. The morning brings a solid 8 ft north swell, and it stays glassy calm with no wind. The combined energy is a strong 998. The afternoon is even better: the same 8 ft north swell, still glassy, and the energy jumps to 1085. The guidance says the optimum swell direction is from the northwest, so this north swell is a little off, but the size and the perfect glassy conditions will make for a clean, powerful day at the point. This one is for the experienced surfers, as 8 ft is solid, hefty stuff.
The window closes quickly. Friday, September 11th morning lingers with a 2 ft north-northwest groundswell at 15 seconds, and glassy conditions from the south wind. The energy is 339 – moderate to strong. It’s a clean, fun-sized leftover. The afternoon drops off fast.
So, to sum it up: there’s a lot of flat, wind-affected junk to get through, but if you’re patient, Thursday, September 10th is your day. Get on it for the clean, powerful north swell at Schnappers Point. The long-range promise for the 10th is solid, but as always, keep an eye on the forecast as we get closer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the N by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 16 | N 4 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNW 16 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | WSW 2 | NNW 17 | NW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 5 | 25 | 501 | 880 | 239 | 65 | 45 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:19AM2.93m | 9:36PM3.17m | 9:55AM3.10m | 10:10PM3.32m | 10:30AM3.24m | 10:44PM3.42m | 11:04AM3.33m | 11:19PM3.46m | 11:39AM3.36m | 11:55PM3.43m | 12:16PM3.33m | 00:33AM3.34m | 12:56PM3.24m | 1:15AM3.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:26PM0.41m | 3:50AM0.28m | 4:02PM0.24m | 4:24AM0.13m | 4:36PM0.13m | 4:58AM0.03m | 5:11PM0.07m | 5:31AM0.00m | 5:46PM0.08m | 6:06AM0.04m | 6:22PM0.16m | 6:43AM0.15m | 7:03PM0.29m | ||||||||
7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 9 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 15 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 15 |
8 | 5 | — | — | — | 239 | 65 | 45 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 56 | 11 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 28 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 13 | N 16 | — | — | — | — | NW 13 | N 21 | N 9 | — | N 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 7 | NW 15 | NNW 10 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NW 17 | NW 16 | — |
7 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | 14 | — | 5 | 11 | 4 | 57 | 10 | 21 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 9 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 16 | NNW 16 | — | — | NNW 15 | NW 10 | — | — | NNW 17 | — | — |
6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 12 | 10 | 24 | — | — | 22 | 17 | — | — | 29 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | E 3 | N 4 | N 8 | N 9 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | NW 8 | WSW 2 | — | NW 7 | — | — | NE 3 | WSW 2 | — | NW 6 | NNW 6 |
3 | 1 | 25 | 501 | 880 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 86 | 2 | — | 93 | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | 118 | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 109 | 64 | 64 | 173 | 146 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 10 | 101 | 101 | 64 | 101 | 103 | 10 | 19 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 122 | 64 |
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











