Happy Jacks Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.01° S 177.90° E

Happy Jacks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Happy Jacks sea temperature is
12.9°C
1.0° 

Happy Jacks surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Happy Jacks surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 5,090 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with ESE 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 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 12s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 17th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 21st Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
0
2
1
1
1
0
2
!
!
3
3
2
2
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
14
1
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
2
S
6
0.9
S
16
0.8
S
14
0.6
S
13
2.5
S
8
3.5
S
11
4
S
12
3
S
12
2
SSE
10
1.2
SE
9
0.8
S
13
2.2
S
8
1.6
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
8
1.8
S
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
171
113
77
304
231
211
302
391
253
112
935
2863
4402
2246
826
225
199
634
326
207
348
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
15
NNW
10
N
10
NE
15
NNE
15
W
35
SW
15
S
25
WNW
40
W
30
SW
35
SW
10
WSW
10
E
5
WNW
5
NNW
0
NNW
20
WSW
25
WSW
35
SSW
30
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
9:58AM1.72m
10:25PM1.64m
10:45AM1.66m
11:11PM1.59m
11:34AM1.60m
11:55PM1.52m
12:25PM1.54m
00:41AM1.44m
1:14PM1.49m
1:29AM1.38m
2:00PM1.46m
2:18AM1.35m
2:46PM1.45m
Low Tide
4:19PM0.39m
4:38AM0.42m
5:05PM0.42m
5:24AM0.45m
5:53PM0.44m
6:09AM0.46m
6:41PM0.45m
6:53AM0.45m
7:29PM0.44m
7:39AM0.44m
8:15PM0.41m
8:29AM0.42m
9:01PM0.38m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:05
 mm
3
8
1
2
2
2
1
1
Temp °C
17
18
14
15
14
12
12
13
15
10
12
11
12
12
11
17
18
11
11
10
10
Feels °C
13
14
12
12
11
11
6
9
10
1
5
3
8
8
8
15
17
5
5
1
1
  • 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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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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