Schnappers Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.20° S 173.33° E

Schnappers Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Schnappers Point sea temperature is
12.2° C
0.1° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NNW swell with 536 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNW 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 26th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 26th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, I’m lookin’ at the charts for Schnappers Point, and I’ll be honest with ya – it’s a slow start. The whole 16-day window is a real mixed bag, with a long stretch of flat-to-puny stuff before a proper pulse finally shows up late in the game. Hang tight, it’s gonna be a test of patience.

Right now, and for the first week or so, it’s a write-off. We’re seeing tiny swell, poor energy, and not much to work with. The water temp at Schnappers is sitting at 54°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there. But the waves? Forget it. From Wednesday the 19th right through to Thursday the 28th, it’s all flat spells or ankle-slappers. The combined energy barely cracks double digits for most of that – we’re talkin’ 1 (one) to 95 (ninety-five) – just weak, disorganised dribble. Wind is all over the shop too, occasionally glassy but mostly cross or cross-on, doin’ nothin’ to help the cause.

There’s a little tease on the 27th (Thursday morning) where the swell ticks up to 3 ft from the NNW with a weak 5-second period, and a glassy morning, but it’s still just “surfable but very ordinary” – not worth paddlin’ out for.

Then Friday the 28th rolls in, and it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the NNW with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 939 (nine hundred and thirty-nine) – now we’re talkin’ some serious push. But the wind is a mess: howlin’ onshore from the north at 22 mph, with rain. That’s gonna be blown-out, lumpy, and ugly. This setup is more likely to get kite surfers excited than paddle surfers, honestly.

Things settle down after that, with a couple of clean, small mornings on the 29th and 30th, but still nothin’ to write home about.

Now, the real standout is Monday the 31st of August. That morning, we’ve got clean conditions with a light offshore from the south, and the swell is a solid 8 ft from the north at 9 seconds, with a combined energy of 787 (seven hundred and eighty-seven). That’s solid, powerful surf – but it’s big. Over 8 ft, this is strictly for experts. The afternoon gets even better, with 10 ft of north swell, a 10-second period, glassy winds, and a combined energy of 1448 (one thousand four hundred and forty-eight). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, clean and powerful. The crowd situation at Schnappers can be “often” busy, so if you’re a competent surfer, get in early. This is the best window of the whole outlook.

Heading into Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell backs off to 4 ft from the north, still clean in the morning, and energy at 352 (three hundred and fifty-two) – a solid, fun option for intermediates. The afternoon gets a little crossed up, but still decent.

After that, it fades again. Wednesday the 2nd and beyond drops off to small, ordinary conditions, with energy below 130 (one hundred and thirty) and weak, short-period swell. The last few days are flat and glassy, but tiny.

So, the bottom line: you’ve got a long wait with a lot of flat days, but the 31st of August and the 1st of September are your standout windows. The 31st especially looks like the best surf of the whole 16 days, with big, clean, powerful north swell. If you’re an expert, that’s your day. For everyone else, the 1st of September morning will be cleaner and more manageable.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
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
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NW
16
0.1
NW
15
0.1
NW
15
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
15
0.4
NNW
4
0.6
NNW
5
1.5
N
7
1.1
N
8
1
N
8
0.6
N
7
0.4
NNW
7
0.4
NNW
7
0.2
NNW
15
0.4
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
0
0
4
5
5
4
7
15
218
161
127
40
16
15
23
15
51
59
Wind (km/h)
5
S
5
S
10
N
5
S
10
SW
10
N
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
WNW
15
WSW
25
WSW
10
WSW
15
SW
15
W
10
SW
5
W
20
NW
10
SW
Wind State
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
High Tide
2:23AM2.76m
2:50PM2.69m
3:12AM2.54m
3:47PM2.51m
4:16AM2.37m
4:59PM2.41m
5:37AM2.31m
6:20PM2.43m
6:54AM2.39m
7:27PM2.58m
7:54AM2.55m
8:18PM2.77m
Low Tide
8:30AM0.73m
8:58PM0.90m
9:22AM0.94m
10:00PM1.08m
10:31AM1.10m
11:21PM1.17m
11:55AM1.12m
00:44AM1.10m
1:09PM1.01m
1:47AM0.92m
2:04PM0.82m
2:34AM0.70m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
9
10
10
9
11
11
7
12
13
12
14
14
10
13
15
9
13
15
12
Feels °C
7
8
7
7
9
8
4
10
11
9
9
8
5
8
10
5
10
11
11
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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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