Surf Forecasts:
Happy Jacks surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, S swell with 3,213 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NE 8 | NE 9 | S 8 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
861 | 499 | 333 | 193 | 200 | 140 | 101 | 72 | 79 | 720 | 3213 | 2708 | 1744 | 1708 | 2347 | 1194 | 847 | 486 | 313 | 220 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:47PM1.53m | 6:11AM1.46m | 6:33PM1.57m | 6:58AM1.52m | 7:20PM1.62m | 7:44AM1.59m | 8:05PM1.66m | 8:29AM1.65m | 8:52PM1.69m | 9:13AM1.70m | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:32AM0.32m | 00:03AM0.30m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:49AM0.26m | 1:02PM0.25m | 1:35AM0.24m | 1:48PM0.24m | 2:20AM0.23m | 2:37PM0.24m | 3:05AM0.23m | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NE 8 | NE 9 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | NE 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
861 | 499 | 333 | 193 | 200 | 140 | 101 | 72 | 79 | 291 | 3213 | 2708 | 1744 | 23 | 2347 | 1194 | 847 | 486 | 313 | 220 | 161 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | E 15 | E 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 12 | S 15 | ENE 6 | S 10 | S 12 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 |
5 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 28 | 39 | 15 | 52 | 73 | 31 | 21 | 22 | 25 | — | 9 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | — | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 5 | SW 5 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | SE 12 | — | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
9 | — | — | 27 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | 6 | — | 18 | 15 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 4 | — | WNW 3 | S 8 | — | — | — | S 13 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — |
14 | 54 | 35 | 26 | 29 | 38 | 9 | — | 3 | 720 | — | — | — | 1708 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 54 | 24 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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.











