Happy Jacks surf break

Happy Jacks surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 22 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
20.1° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Happy Jacks this week:

The surf forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Happy Jacks in the next 12 days are 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jan 23) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Fri 23rd Jan)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 26th Jan)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 22nd Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Happy Jacks over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
4
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
1
2
4
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5.5
NE
3
E
2.1
E
1.7
E
1.5
E
1.2
E
0.9
E
0.8
E
0.8
S
1
S
1.1
S
1.7
S
1.6
S
1.7
S
1.6
S
1.6
S
1.5
S
1.1
S
1.3
S
1.2
S
1
S
Period(s) (?)111010999999101213121212111110101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6335169785549236723012393110192330914738819690655536259367296186
Wind
(km/h)
15
WNW
15
WSW
10
W
10
NW
10
NW
20
NW
30
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
15
NW
15
WSW
5
WNW
15
ENE
10
WNW
15
SW
15
SSE
10
SE
5
E
15
NE
15
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offglasscross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:33PM
1.53
9:54AM
1.64
10:17PM
1.57
10:41AM
1.66
11:01PM
1.61
11:29AM
1.67
11:48PM
1.65
12:18PM
1.69
12:39AM
1.69
1:10PM
1.70
1:36AM
1.73
2:05PM
1.70
2:36AM
1.77
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:27PM
0.25
3:35AM
0.25
4:11PM
0.23
4:24AM
0.25
4:57PM
0.23
5:13AM
0.25
5:44PM
0.23
6:05AM
0.27
6:32PM
0.23
6:58AM
0.28
7:23PM
0.24
7:56AM
0.28
8:17PM
0.24
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Sunrise6:05--6:07--6:07--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--
Sunset-8:31--8:30--8:30--8:30--8:29--8:28--8:28-
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
2----------1--4-11---
Temp. °C232422252620191917212317191918181917191918
Feels °C (?)232421242517141313172116171617161716181715
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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