
Surf Forecasts:
Happy Jacks surf forecast from 22 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 30 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 30 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, S swell with 3,443 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 24 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period with S 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 Thursday (Sep 24) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Sep 28) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 24th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 30th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 30th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 23 | Thursday 24 | Friday 25 | Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | Monday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 14 | S 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
179 | 392 | 579 | 730 | 612 | 524 | 354 | 249 | 208 | 236 | 209 | 168 | 158 | 243 | 304 | 396 | 316 | 366 | 862 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:18AM1.35m | 2:46PM1.45m | 3:08AM1.35m | 3:33PM1.46m | 3:58AM1.39m | 4:21PM1.50m | 4:47AM1.45m | 5:11PM1.55m | 5:36AM1.53m | 6:00PM1.62m | 6:26AM1.62m | 6:49PM1.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:29AM0.42m | 9:01PM0.38m | 9:20AM0.39m | 9:48PM0.34m | 10:11AM0.34m | 10:36PM0.31m | 10:59AM0.30m | 11:26PM0.28m | 11:46AM0.26m | 00:15AM0.25m | 12:34PM0.23m | 1:03AM0.23m | |||||||
— | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 15 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 13 |
179 | 25 | 12 | 305 | 18 | 10 | 354 | 249 | 208 | 108 | 209 | 168 | 158 | 243 | 304 | 238 | 316 | 366 | 862 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | — | — | SE 10 | E 16 | E 16 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 12 | S 14 | ESE 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 17 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
54 | — | — | 25 | 5 | 5 | 43 | 130 | 113 | 229 | 176 | 145 | 90 | 58 | 32 | 11 | 261 | 231 | 169 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 16 | N 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | S 15 | ESE 13 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | ESE 15 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | S 15 | SSW 15 | NE 4 |
28 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 55 | 155 | 236 | 67 | 37 | 26 | 75 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 42 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | N 3 | NW 3 | S 7 | — | E 11 | — |
240 | 392 | 579 | 730 | 612 | 524 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 396 | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 89 | 266 | 86 | 90 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 72 | 83 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










