
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SE swell with 3,489 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period with SSE 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 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s happening at Cintsa West for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got some solid swell coming, but it’s a bit of a mixed start. Friday morning, July 3rd, sees a chunky 10ft SW swell with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is a strong 3659, so there’s plenty of power. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the WSW, so it’ll be clean, but this is big water – only for experienced surfers. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a full 5° colder than average, so you’ll need the thickest wetsuit you’ve got. Friday afternoon gets a cross-on breeze, so quality drops.
Saturday the 4th is where it’s at. The swell drops to a still chunky 8ft from the SE, with a long 12-second period and combined energy of 1773. The big news is the morning: glassy conditions. Completely flat calm with a light offshore breeze from the west. That’s as good as it gets for Cintsa West. This is the standout window – clean, long-period groundswell that will wrap the point beautifully. Still big enough for intermediate to advanced surfers, but the conditions will be near perfect.
Sunday the 5th morning comes down to a more user-friendly 5ft from the SE with a cross-off breeze, keeping things clean and fun for a wider crew. The energy is down to 640, moderate, but good shape.
After that, the surf drops right off. Monday and Tuesday see waves under 3ft, too small to get excited about, though Tuesday morning has clean offshore wind and a long 14-second period from the SSW – tiny but pretty lines.
Wednesday the 8th is a complete washout with poor conditions. Then we get a pulse building again from Thursday the 9th, with swell climbing back through 5ft to 6ft plus from the south, but the wind is inconsistent – often cross or onshore – so it won’t be as clean as that Saturday.
Saturday the 12th is a mess with a fresh breeze and risk of thunderstorms, so skip that. Sunday the 13th looks better with glassy conditions in the morning and a clean 4ft S swell, but the low energy of 454 means weaker waves. Still, glassy and fun for a log.
Now, for the long-range call: Friday the 17th of July. The forecast shows a massive 10ft SW swell with a long 13-second period and combined energy of 3956. The wind is glassy from the north in the morning. That’s a huge amount of water, very powerful, only for experts. The point should handle it, but it’s a serious ocean. This is the standout for the second week – promising, but keep an eye on it as it gets closer.
Saturday the 18th then holds that energy with a 10ft S swell and clean offshore winds – still hefty and powerful.
Your best bet is Saturday the 4th of July morning – glassy, clean, solid groundswell. And circle Friday the 17th on the calendar for another possible big one. Cintsa West is inconsistent, it doesn’t always fire, so when these windows line up, you make the call.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | SSE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1708 | 2629 | 2982 | 1711 | 1202 | 760 | 583 | 453 | 228 | 156 | 122 | 93 | 213 | 223 | 181 | 123 | 400 | 253 | 849 | 1743 | 1977 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:56PM1.46m | 5:58AM1.42m | 6:30PM1.45m | 6:33AM1.36m | 7:06PM1.43m | 7:12AM1.29m | 7:48PM1.40m | 7:59AM1.21m | 8:40PM1.35m | 9:02AM1.13m | 9:47PM1.31m | 10:26AM1.08m | 11:11PM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:39AM0.16m | 11:58PM0.31m | 12:10PM0.19m | 00:34AM0.34m | 12:44PM0.23m | 1:15AM0.38m | 1:22PM0.29m | 2:04AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.36m | 3:04AM0.47m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:22AM0.49m | 4:26PM0.49m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 |
1431 | 2629 | 2982 | 1711 | 1202 | 760 | 583 | 453 | 228 | 156 | 122 | 60 | 213 | 223 | 181 | 123 | 400 | 147 | 849 | 1743 | 1977 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | ESE 12 | SW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | E 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
504 | 175 | 154 | 47 | 26 | 58 | 27 | 14 | 30 | 22 | 103 | 93 | 42 | 54 | 25 | 121 | 11 | 253 | 9 | 7 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SW 20 | ESE 12 | SW 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 9 | SW 13 | E 7 | ENE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | NE 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
16 | 31 | 51 | 15 | 47 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 14 | 44 | 24 | 24 | 43 | 31 | 22 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | — | — | — |
1708 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 7 | 65 | 245 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 43 |
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.










