(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
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Snappers is fun.”
Mark from NEW ZEALAND - 09 Mar 2010
Schnappers Point Ratings
Overall: 4.0. Based on 10 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.4(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.7(1: Schnappers Point is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Schnappers Point is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Nelson - Tasman Bay. 5: the best break in Nelson - Tasman Bay). |
Difficulty Level: 3.1(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.1(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Schnappers Point can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.8(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Schnappers Point, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.1(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Schnappers Point are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.2(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.7(1: Often too crowded. 5: Schnappers Point is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.3(1: Getting to Schnappers Point requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 3.2(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.6(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.8(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Schnappers Point for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.9(1: Camping at Schnappers Point is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.6(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Schnappers Point is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 3.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Schnappers Point, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.8(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Schnappers Point where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Schnapper (Snapper) point is by far the most popular break in the Nelson district.
It is located out on the boulder bank, just past the oxidation ponds. It's a nicer setting than it sounds and the views over to the often snow-covered Tasman Mountain is spectacular.
Where the dirt road first reaches the sea you will get a nice view of the swell. Schnappers is usually a but bigger than here so if it looks like there is any swell at all, keep going.
When it is on, it can get crowded by Nelson locals, especially at weekends, but the atmosphere is friendly and there are usually enough waves to go round. The main wave is a steep right hander that can provide makeable hollow sections. There is a left too and although this is described as a close-out in some surf guides, I have found it very good at times with much less competition for waves than the right. The paddle out (and back in) over slippery boulders can be a challenge if you are not wearing boots and often you have to work against the current to stay in position.
Although the Nelson region doesn't receive a lot of swell it would be a mistake for traveling surfers to dismiss it completely because the quality of waves can be excellent and it is certainly one of New Zealand's best towns. Occasionally, when the famous Kaikora coast is either flat or onshore, the Nelson area, 4 hours drive away, is going off.
The reason visiting surfers generally overlooked it is that NW swells are uncommon and usually they are accompanied by onshore winds. Surfing in Nelson usually involves picking the brief window when the wind has dropped but the locally generated swell is still running. Locals get this right and are on it very quickly whereas the chances of passing through Nelson and finding good waves is pretty slim.
It doesn't usually last more than a couple of days, often just a few hours. The much more common SW swells in the Tasman that are so good reliable Taranaki pass Nelson by, on the other side of distant Farewell Spit so all in all there is just a tiny window of swell directions that can get in here; a little better along the coast at Whangamoa.
The exception to the rule that you only get to surf fading windswells is when a sub-tropical depression drops into the Tasman and sends a rare NW groundswell directly into Tasman Bay. When that happens all kinds of weird and wonderful spots start to fire and places like Schnapper, The Cut and Cable Bay approach the quality of New Zealand's more famous locations.”
Rob Davies from NEW ZEALAND - 06 Mar 2010
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