
Surf Forecasts:
Happy Jacks surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,259 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period with SE swell.
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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s is also forecast. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 72mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NE on Fri morning, strong winds from the SW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 7 | S 8 | SE 8 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
355 | 354 | 227 | 226 | 615 | 334 | 203 | 149 | 98 | 87 | 190 | 491 | 816 | 822 | 1361 | 865 | 599 | 470 | 314 | 1986 | 3242 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:57PM1.84m | 4:28AM1.70m | 4:56PM1.86m | 5:26AM1.71m | 5:54PM1.87m | 6:24AM1.72m | 6:49PM1.87m | 7:19AM1.73m | 7:41PM1.84m | 8:11AM1.75m | 8:31PM1.81m | 9:00AM1.76m | 9:21PM1.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:43AM0.16m | 10:20PM0.15m | 10:43AM0.10m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:39AM0.06m | 00:16AM0.09m | 12:32PM0.05m | 1:11AM0.09m | 1:24PM0.08m | 2:02AM0.11m | 2:17PM0.13m | 2:51AM0.16m | 3:09PM0.20m | ||||||||
7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SE 11 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 14 | S 15 | S 18 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | E 9 |
355 | 176 | 227 | 226 | 615 | 334 | 203 | 149 | 98 | 82 | 88 | 18 | 19 | 25 | 1124 | 865 | 599 | 286 | 292 | 298 | 402 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | SSE 17 | NE 7 | SE 12 | S 16 | NE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 9 | S 20 | S 17 | — | — |
6 | 59 | 2 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 8 | 95 | 80 | 280 | 30 | 284 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | NE 6 | NE 11 | NE 10 | SW 16 | S 16 | S 19 | S 18 | SE 13 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 8 | S 20 | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 15 | ESE 15 | — | — |
21 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 8 | — | — | 146 | 217 | 9 | 22 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | NE 6 | NE 8 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | S 7 | S 8 | SE 8 | SSE 10 |
276 | 354 | — | 2 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 43 | 74 | 87 | 190 | 491 | 816 | 822 | 1361 | 277 | 80 | 470 | 314 | 1986 | 3242 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 125 | 123 | 44 | 89 | 125 | 104 | 102 | 154 | 86 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











