Surf Forecasts:
Jacks Point surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SE swell with 258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jacks Point this week:
The surf forecast for Jacks Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jacks Point in the next 16 days are 0.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jacks Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at Jacks Point.
The next couple of weeks are looking mighty lean. We’re staring at a run of tiny waves and poor wind that starts right now and stretches through to the 16th. Most of that is knee-high slop, so don’t bother suiting up. There’s a solid gap of four or five days with nothing to ride.
The first real chance comes on the morning of Thursday the 17th. A little bump to about 4ft from the S, but the period is a weak 6 seconds, so it’ll be soft and lumpy. The wind is cross-off from the SW, keeping it clean-ish, and the energy is moderate (156). The report calls it “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s a reef break, so that short period isn’t doing it any justice.
Not much happens after that – mostly tiny, poor conditions through the rest of the week and into the next. The morning of Monday the 21st offers a glimmer: a clean cross-off from the NW, with a 2ft SSE groundswell and a very long 15-second period. Modest energy (181) and the description is again “surfable but ordinary.” That long period groundswell will help shape at the reef, but don’t expect much push.
The standout session for the whole outlook is the morning of Sunday the 27th. That’s the one you mark on your calendar. Clean offshore from the W, a 4ft SSE swell with a solid 13-second period, and strong energy reading of 459 – the biggest number in the whole forecast. The report says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s proper groundswell for the reef with clean offshore wind. It’s a ways out, so don’t lock it in, but if it materialises, that’s your session.
Also note the afternoon of Monday the 28th: a 2ft SSE groundswell with a 15-second period, clean cross-off from the NNW, and moderate-to-strong energy at 324. A solid backup option.
Bottom line: don’t waste your time this week. The water is about 51°F, slightly warmer than usual for the time of year, but the surf isn’t there. The 27th morning is the only real standout – just be patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | ENE 6 | SE 10 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SE 6 | SSE 16 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 13 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | ESE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 79 | 29 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 66 | 102 | 23 | 25 | 66 | 92 | 93 | 82 | 50 | 48 | 40 | 121 | 237 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:30PM2.03m | 6:05AM2.24m | 6:13PM1.98m | 6:51AM2.16m | 7:08PM1.98m | 7:40AM2.08m | 8:17PM2.01m | 8:38AM2.04m | 9:26PM2.05m | 9:38AM2.05m | 10:28PM2.07m | 10:31AM2.08m | 11:23PM2.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:37PM0.58m | 12:20PM0.61m | 00:24AM0.65m | 1:01PM0.67m | 1:15AM0.74m | 1:42PM0.73m | 2:14AM0.83m | 2:33PM0.78m | 3:17AM0.89m | 3:39PM0.82m | 4:17AM0.92m | 4:55PM0.80m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | NE 4 | SSE 15 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | 79 | 29 | 18 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 32 | 19 | 10 | 16 | 83 | 93 | 82 | 50 | 48 | 17 | 121 | 237 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | ENE 3 | — | E 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 9 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 23 | 20 | 66 | 92 | 42 | 55 | 44 | 48 | 40 | 23 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SE 15 | E 11 | — | — | S 13 | S 14 | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | NE 4 | — | S 15 | — | ENE 4 | SSE 15 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 3 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 25 | 24 | 2 | — | 109 | — | 2 | 21 | 47 | 23 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | S 6 | — | S 5 | — | NE 4 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 4 | SSE 9 | — | ENE 2 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 66 | 102 | — | 14 | — | 6 | — | 6 | 10 | 28 | — | 1 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 136 | 88 | 88 | 136 | 114 | 114 | 163 | 114 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 88 | 109 | 0 | 89 | 109 | 0 | 156 | 1 | 136 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Jacks Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Jacks Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jacks Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jacks Point 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 (Jacks Point) 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 Jacks Point 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.
Jacks Point is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Timaru. If you plan a holiday in Canterbury, look for hotels and other accommodation in Timaru. Timaru has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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