Happy Jacks surf break

Happy Jacks surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 19 Apr 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Happy Jacks surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Happy Jacks sea temperature is
17.0° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Happy Jacks this week:

The surf forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Happy Jacks in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 20th Apr)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 22nd Apr)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 22nd Apr)16ft (5.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the SW by Wed morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SW by Fri morning).

Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
1
0
0
2
2
!
0
!
!
2
2
4
2
2
1
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
NE
2
NNE
1
ENE
1.1
ENE
1.1
ENE
1.2
S
1.8
SSE
2.3
SSE
4.5
S
4.5
S
3.5
SSE
3.5
S
2.5
SSE
2.2
SSE
2.2
S
1.9
SSE
1.5
SE
1
SE
1.4
S
1
S
0.6
SSE
Period(s) (?)98899101010111111101010109910677
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)21154110717216828272111244750542429212389125892289162634318814810237
Wind
(km/h)
20
NNE
15
N
10
NNE
5
SSE
10
NNE
20
N
15
NE
30
WSW
40
SW
50
SSW
40
SSW
30
SSW
25
S
20
S
15
SW
20
S
15
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
5
WNW
10
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:13PM
1.88
7:41AM
1.81
8:06PM
1.93
8:37AM
1.81
8:59PM
1.93
9:34AM
1.78
9:55PM
1.89
10:30AM
1.74
10:54PM
1.82
11:26AM
1.68
11:54PM
1.75
12:22PM
1.61
12:52AM
1.69
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:29AM
0.15
1:52PM
0.14
2:26AM
0.13
2:46PM
0.13
3:24AM
0.11
3:43PM
0.12
4:21AM
0.11
4:40PM
0.12
5:19AM
0.11
5:38PM
0.12
6:17AM
0.12
6:34PM
0.14
7:13AM
0.14
Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunrise--6:39--6:41--6:41--6:43--6:43--6:45--6:46
Sunset5:35--5:32--5:31--5:30--5:29--5:28--5:27--
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
thunderstorm
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---317-26105622321-----
Temp. °C191818171518181514131313141313141413131214
Feels °C (?)171718171315151274468810101110101111
  • Map Icons:
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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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Quick surf report for Happy Jacks:

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Information about the Happy Jacks Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Happy Jacks provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Happy Jacks can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Happy Jacks 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 (Happy Jacks) 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 Happy Jacks 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.

Happy Jacks is 39 km (24 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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