
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, ESE swell with 1,606 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with ESE 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch.
We’re looking at a single spot for the whole outlook: Cintsa West (South Africa). The forecast is a mixed bag of pulses and lulls, with a lot of cross-shore chop to work through. The overall pattern is frustrating – there are waves, but the wind is often messy, so you’ll need to pick your windows carefully.
The water is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
We kick off on Friday, 31 July. The morning sees a 5.9 ft ESE swell, period 9 seconds, but the wind is a cross-onshore at 9 mph. The combined energy is moderate (808), but the conditions are choppy and the surf is marginal. The afternoon is similar, with the swell dropping to 5.6 ft.
Saturday, 1 August is a write-off. Cross-shore winds at 12 mph, 4.9 ft to 5.9 ft swell, but it’s choppy and confused. Not worth the paddle.
Sunday, 2 August brings a bigger swell – 6.9 ft to 7.2 ft from the ESE, period stretching to 11 seconds. The combined energy jumps up to strong (1226). But the wind is still cross-shore, and the surf is only marginal. This one is for the experienced crew only, as the size is well over 5 ft, and the wind isn’t doing it any favours. It’s still a bit messy.
Things start to look up on Monday, 3 August morning. The swell drops back to 5.9 ft, but the wind swings light and cross-shore from the NE at 3 mph. The combined energy is moderate (804). Conditions are still just marginal, but the light wind is a step in the right direction.
Tuesday, 4 August morning is the first real standout. We’ve got a 5.6 ft wave from the E, period 9 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the N at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (906), and the conditions are clean. This is your best bet of the early window – a proper point break wave with clean faces. The wind is favourable, making for some good, long rides. The break is inconsistent, so you’ll have to be patient for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
After that, the swell drops right off. Wednesday, 5 August morning is glassy – 3.0 ft from the ESE, period 9 seconds, with zero wind. The combined energy is weak (279). It’s clean, but small. A good session for a longboard or a funboard.
Thursday, 6 August and Friday, 7 August see a new SSW groundswell push, with periods up to 14 seconds. The combined energy is moderate to strong (631 to 1130), but the wind is cross-shore and fresh. There’s a window on Friday morning with a 5.2 ft SSW swell and moderate cross-shore wind, but it’s still only marginal. The afternoon is a dirty mess with 19 mph winds.
Saturday, 8 August morning is another clean window. The swell is down to 3.3 ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the N at 9 mph. Combined energy is moderate (538). Clean conditions, but it’s a smaller, long-period groundswell. That long period (13 seconds) means it’ll have plenty of push, but at a point break like Cintsa West, it should line up nicely.
The second week is quieter. Sunday, 9 August to Wednesday, 12 August is a mix of small, short-period windswell, mostly cross-shore chop. Nothing to get excited about. Wednesday, 12 August morning sees a 5.6 ft S swell with a moderate combined energy (1031), but the wind is cross-shore and messy.
Thursday, 13 August is interesting. The morning has a 3.6 ft E swell with a fresh offshore NW wind at 19 mph. The combined energy is moderate (458). The afternoon is even tidier: a 2.3 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 15-second period, and a fresh offshore wind. The combined energy is moderate (625). That’s a clean, glassy point break setup, but it’s a very small swell. It’s the only clean session in the second week, but it’s small.
Friday, 14 August and Saturday, 15 August are poor, with onshore winds and light rain. The session on Saturday morning is clean with a light cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 2.6 ft and the combined energy is weak (196). It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
The true standout in the whole 16-day window is the morning of Tuesday, 4 August. That’s the one with the best combo of size (5.6 ft), good swell direction (E), and clean cross-offshore wind. If you can only surf one day, make it that one
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
547 | 531 | 455 | 485 | 385 | 567 | 700 | 1154 | 1121 | 871 | 676 | 540 | 502 | 497 | 567 | 256 | 138 | 138 | 522 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:39AM1.54m | 5:03PM1.60m | 5:07AM1.54m | 5:31PM1.62m | 5:36AM1.52m | 6:01PM1.61m | 6:07AM1.46m | 6:32PM1.56m | 6:41AM1.38m | 7:09PM1.49m | 7:21AM1.27m | 7:53PM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:48AM0.06m | 11:06PM0.17m | 11:15AM0.05m | 11:36PM0.17m | 11:43AM0.07m | 00:08AM0.20m | 12:13PM0.13m | 00:43AM0.25m | 12:47PM0.21m | 1:24AM0.34m | 1:26PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.44m | ||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
5:28 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 24 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 15 |
547 | 531 | 455 | 485 | 385 | 567 | 428 | 1154 | 1121 | 871 | 676 | 540 | 502 | 348 | 363 | 256 | 138 | 138 | 522 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 14 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 6 | SSW 16 | ESE 9 |
312 | 277 | 192 | 59 | 39 | 28 | 700 | 51 | 31 | 35 | 121 | 104 | 93 | 58 | 56 | 55 | 36 | 97 | 138 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 15 | W 18 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 10 | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | — | SW 11 | SW 11 | NE 7 |
— | — | — | 4 | 6 | 10 | 39 | 3 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 13 | — | 3 | — | — | 30 | 29 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | NE 5 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | — |
— | — | — | 20 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 38 | 71 | — | — | 66 | 497 | 567 | 51 | 75 | 33 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 489 | 512 | 0 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 295 | 0 | 43 | 271 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 100 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











