Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with 4,585 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for the Cintsa West stretch.
The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag. We’ve got some solid swell pulses coming through, but the wind is going to be a stubborn factor for most of it, keeping the quality a bit on the messy side. There’s a window of opportunity, but you’ll want to pick your moments carefully.
The best bet this week is Tuesday morning, September 8th. We’ll see a 6.9ft swell from the ENE, with a short 8-second period. The wind eases back to a light breeze, and while it’s cross-shore, the energy is moderate (1336). It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s the most manageable the conditions will be for a few days, with a 6.6ft offering again on Tuesday afternoon. The water is sitting at 65.3°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a warmer suit.
Monday the 7th sees a bigger 6.9ft S swell, but that 15-second period is long, and with a fresh 18.6 mph cross-shore wind, it’s going to be lumpy and a real handful. The energy is strong (2093), but it’s more of a challenge than a pleasure.
For the first week, the standout is that Wednesday morning, September 16th. It’s late in the forecast, but it’s the one to circle. The swell drops to a clean 4.3ft from the SSW, with a long 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy. The energy is moderate (916). This is the kind of morning you wait for: clean lines, easy paddling, and a point break that should link up nicely. The break is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for sets, but when they come, it’ll be worth it.
The days leading up to that are mostly cross-on and choppy, with a few glimmers like the light cross-off on Thursday, September 17th. The swell is smaller there, around 3.6ft to 4.3ft, but the wind is cleaner, so it’s a backup option.
Into the second week, the weekend of the 19th and 20th sees a big ramp up in swell size, hitting 8.2ft on Sunday with a moderate cross-shore. That’s big, expert territory, and with the wind up, it’ll be a rough session for most. There’s a lot of energy (1554), but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Overall, hold out for that glassy Wednesday the 16th. That’s the one.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 7 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 403 | 291 | 326 | 623 | 1786 | 4518 | 1920 | 690 | 461 | 606 | 567 | 666 | 566 | 554 | 364 | 235 | 240 | 424 | 175 | 124 | 531 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:25AM0.99m | 10:48PM1.07m | 12:17PM1.05m | 00:50AM1.17m | 1:31PM1.24m | 1:49AM1.33m | 2:17PM1.44m | 2:31AM1.46m | 2:54PM1.60m | 3:07AM1.56m | 3:27PM1.72m | 3:40AM1.62m | 3:59PM1.78m | 4:11AM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:41PM0.65m | 5:43AM0.61m | 6:28PM0.59m | 7:15AM0.46m | 7:42PM0.42m | 8:03AM0.29m | 8:27PM0.26m | 8:40AM0.14m | 9:05PM0.13m | 9:13AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.04m | 9:44AM-0.03m | 10:09PM0.00m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 31 | 29 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 403 | 291 | 326 | 204 | 1786 | 4518 | 1920 | 690 | 242 | 368 | 368 | 395 | 348 | 355 | 364 | 235 | 240 | 203 | 141 | 124 | 259 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSW 23 | S 10 | E 9 | — | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 150 | 33 | 64 | 623 | 198 | 81 | — | 429 | 229 | 253 | 141 | 82 | 31 | 57 | 18 | 37 | 97 | 424 | 73 | 108 | 106 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 15 | S 28 | SSE 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 15 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 32 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 126 | — | — | — | — | 109 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 46 | 29 | 36 | 10 | 175 | 96 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 7 | E 10 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | SE 8 |
| kJ | 42 | 232 | 125 | 120 | 239 | 44 | 173 | 423 | 461 | 606 | 567 | 666 | 566 | 554 | — | 5 | 5 | 38 | — | — | 531 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 431 | 431 | 10 | 163 | 431 | 431 | 431 | 456 | 123 | 43 | 271 | 78 | 10 | 43 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 28 | 149 | 0 |
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.
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