Schnappers Point

Schnappers and The Cut are right-hand point breaks that peel along the Nelson Boulder Bank, the 13 km natural spit of granite boulders that shelters Nelson Haven from Tasman Bay. The wave is mellow and forgiving when small, then grows faster and hollower as the size builds, running over a bottom of stones and boulders rather than sand. Schnappers sits at the northern end on the bend of the bank and likes low to mid tide, while The Cut, at the harbour entrance, prefers more water. Because Tasman Bay is so sheltered, it takes a solid N or NW swell to get these points going, with a S or SE wind blowing offshore. That swell window is narrow and the bay knocks most groundswell flat, so this is an inconsistent break for intermediate surfers with local knowledge, not a reliable session.

The Boulder Bank itself is the draw as much as the wave. Formed over thousands of years from rock sliding off Mackay Bluff and dragged south by the current, it is a recognised geological landform with a historic 1862 lighthouse near its tip. There is nothing commercial out here at all. You reach the bank by walking or driving the gravel Boulder Bank Drive from the Glenduan end, or by boat across Nelson Haven from the city. Nelson, only a short drive away, has everything you need before and after.

• Match your session to the tide and the end of the bank: Schnappers on the bend wants low to mid, while The Cut at the harbour entrance comes into its own on a higher tide. Port Nelson runs a webcam at The Cut so you can eyeball it before the drive.
• The simplest land approach is the gravel Boulder Bank Drive past the oxidation ponds, where you park and walk north along the stones toward the point. For Schnappers proper at the northern bend, the Glenduan reserve end is the closer launch.
• If the points are not working, the wider Nelson coast holds other rare options on the right swell, with Whangamoa around twenty minutes further north and the breaks toward Cable Bay worth a look when it is big.
• Make a day of the landmark itself. The 8 km walk out to the historic lighthouse, the snorkelling in nearby Horoirangi Marine Reserve and Nelson's cafes and breweries a few minutes away all give a partner who is not surfing plenty to do.
• Treat any wave here as a bonus rather than a guaranteed destination. The swell window is narrow, the bay is fickle, and half the reward is simply being out on one of New Zealand's most distinctive stretches of coast.

• The whole point breaks over loose stones and boulders, so entries and exits are slippery and the rocks shift underfoot. Pick a calm moment between sets, watch your ankles and time your scramble in and out carefully.
• It takes a genuinely solid N or NW swell to turn the corner into sheltered Tasman Bay, so check the buoys and forecast before committing. Turn up on a marginal swell and you will find the points flat and lifeless.
• As the swell builds the wave gets noticeably faster and hollower over the boulder bottom, which catches out surfers expecting the mellow small day it was earlier. Treat a bigger day with respect and have a board you can drive down the line.
• Where exactly to sit and the right tide window are not obvious from the bank, so a first session here is far smoother with a local introduction than guessing alone. The Nelson crew is small but welcoming if you show up respectfully.
• The bank is long, low and very exposed with no shelter, shade or help once you are out there. Carry water, watch the weather rolling across Tasman Bay and tell someone your plan, especially if you walk the full length.

Getting there

From Nelson head north on State Highway 6 toward Wakapuaka. For the southern approach, turn onto the gravel Boulder Bank Drive near the oxidation ponds and walk north along the bank to The Cut and the points. For Schnappers at the northern bend, continue to the Glenduan end roughly 12 km and 15 to 20 minutes from the city, then walk the bank. The bank can also be reached by boat across Nelson Haven from the Nelson waterfront.

Parking

There is a small parking area at the end of the gravel Boulder Bank Drive by the oxidation ponds, and a council recreation reserve car park at the Glenduan end. Both can fill on fine summer days, so arrive early. From either you walk in along the boulders.

Toilets & showers

No toilets or showers anywhere on the Boulder Bank itself. The nearest public toilets are at the Glenduan recreation reserve at the northern access point. Nelson city, a short drive away, has full public facilities.

Shops, cafes & fuel

Nothing on the bank. Glenduan is a small residential settlement with no shops. Nelson city, around 12 to 15 km south, is the place to fuel up and stock up, with supermarkets, petrol stations and a strong cafe and brewery scene.

Accommodation

No accommodation on the bank. Nelson city is the base, with a full range of hotels, motels, holiday parks, hostels and Airbnb or Bookabach options only a short drive from the access points.

Camping

Camping and fires are not permitted on the Boulder Bank, which is managed as a scenic reserve. There is no campground at the access points. Use one of Nelson city's holiday parks, and check the Nelson City Council responsible camping bylaw before freedom camping anywhere in the area.