Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
18.2°C
1.6° 

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


Cintsa West surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with 984 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cintsa West this week:

The surf forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 30th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 3rd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Cintsa West.

Alright, we’re staring down a pretty rough run for the most part. The first real chance to even think about it doesn’t show up until Saturday, August 29th, and even then, it’s a bit of a mess. The water’s sitting at 65°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 3° off, so you’ll feel that difference.

The only standout window in the whole 16-day outlook is the weekend of September 13th. Before that, it’s mostly a write-off.

Saturday, August 29th – Saturday, September 6th
This whole stretch is poor. We get a bit of swell on Saturday the 29th with 8ft from the ENE, but the wind is a cross-shore northeasterly at 9 mph, and the combined energy is a big 2034 (moderate to strong energy), but the comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” It’s not worth the paddle. From Sunday the 30th right through to Saturday, September 6th, it’s all “poor surf conditions” or “marginal” with wind ruining most of it—cross-shore, cross-onshore, choppy, lumpy. The swell jumps around, but nothing lines up. Sunday, September 6th has a marginal window with 6ft from the S and a light cross-shore breeze, but it’s still not clean. The 7th through the 10th of September is a total washout—rain, strong onshore winds, and messy, lumpy conditions. The 10th of September has some solid 10ft ENE swell, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore at 19 mph, making it a lumpy mess. Definitely not for beginners or anyone wanting a good time.

Saturday, September 13th – The Standout
This is where it finally turns. Saturday, September 13th, morning and afternoon, we’ve got glassy conditions. The wind goes glass—SE and ESE at just 3 mph—and the swell is a clean 3ft from the E with a 9-second period. The combined energy is low, around 268-302 (weak energy), but with the wind flat and the conditions glassy, this is your window. The break is a point break, so that short period E swell will still wrap in nicely. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out, but it won’t be packed. This is the one to aim for. It’s a smaller day, perfect for intermediates, and the clean conditions will make it feel bigger than it is.

Sunday, September 14th – Monday, September 15th
After that glassy Saturday, we get a bit more swell on Sunday the 14th—3ft from the SSW with a long 15-second period. The wind is slight from the SSE, cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s “marginal” rather than poor. The long period at a point break like Cintsa West will give you clean lines, but the cross-onshore wind will put a bit of ripple on it. Monday the 15th is similar, 3ft from the SSW, 13 seconds, but with a light cross-onshore breeze. It’s okay, but not as good as Saturday.

So, mark your calendar for Saturday, September 13th. That’s your best bet. Everything else in the next two weeks is either too windy, too messy, or just plain poor. The gap between now and the 13th is a long one, so don’t bother checking until then.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Sat
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
ENE
10
1.4
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
9
1.3
SSW
9
1
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.7
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
12
2.1
S
6
3
SSE
8
1.3
S
8
0.8
SSW
14
1.6
S
8
1.3
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1275
410
147
249
198
154
145
115
151
235
326
721
732
400
325
984
211
247
338
449
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
20
SW
20
SW
15
SW
5
W
5
SE
10
E
10
NNE
15
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
5
SSE
20
E
15
NE
25
SW
20
SSW
20
SE
25
ESE
20
E
20
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:34PM1.73m
4:42AM1.62m
5:01PM1.74m
5:11AM1.59m
5:30PM1.71m
5:41AM1.52m
6:01PM1.63m
6:14AM1.42m
6:36PM1.50m
6:51AM1.28m
7:18PM1.34m
7:41AM1.12m
8:23PM1.17m
Low Tide
10:41PM0.05m
10:46AM-0.02m
11:10PM0.05m
11:14AM0.01m
11:40PM0.09m
11:44AM0.08m
00:13AM0.18m
12:17PM0.19m
00:51AM0.31m
12:55PM0.34m
1:39AM0.46m
1:48PM0.51m
3:01AM0.60m
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:50
5:51
5:51
 mm
2
1
1
1
8
12
2
Temp °C
34
20
17
16
15
18
18
17
21
21
18
19
19
18
21
19
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
31
17
15
13
13
17
17
16
19
19
18
18
17
16
18
15
13
14
13
13
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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 Cintsa West Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cintsa West provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cintsa West can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cintsa West 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 (Cintsa West) 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 Cintsa West 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Cintsa West, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, consider staying in East London which is 28 km (17 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape - Wild Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Butterworth which is 56 km (35 miles) away, Stutterheim and Bisho.

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