Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Cintsa West. This is a point break that needs the right swell, and it’s inconsistent, so when it lines up, you’ve got to be on it. The water is sitting at 64° right now, which is feeling much colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a good steamer.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are showing some chest-high swell around 5ft to 7ft, coming from the ESE, but the wind is cross-shore and the conditions are just marginal. The energy is there (combined energy of 1097 to 682), but it’s not clean, and the tides are questionable. Not worth rushing out.

Wednesday the 5th morning is the first real glimmer of hope. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the East, and we get glassy conditions. The energy is still moderate (392), but that glass makes it all worth it for a quiet, fun session. It’s a small window, though.

Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are a mess. The wind swings around, we get some rain, and the swell goes short and bumpy. Friday afternoon gets a bit wild with a 7ft short-period windswell from the SW, but it’s lumpy and poor. Not your day.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th see a bigger, longer-period groundswell from the SSW start to build. Sunday morning is the standout of this first week. We’ve got 6ft of SSW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The combined energy is strong at 1399. This is a proper point break wave – long-period groundswell like this holds up beautifully on the point, and the longer gaps between sets make paddling out a breeze. Keep in mind crowds are possible here, but for a Sunday morning it’s hard to beat.

The following week, from Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th, the swell sticks around but gets bigger. Monday the 10th has 8ft to 8ft from the S with a 12-13 second period, and the wind stays cross-offshore. The energy is very strong (over 2000). This is getting into expert territory – over 8ft, it’s only for the experienced. Wednesday the 12th morning is a real gem: 7ft from the S, 14-second period, and dead calm glassy conditions. That’s a perfect setup for the point, but it’s a serious wave.

Thursday the 13th to Friday the 14th we get a drop in size, but the quality is still there. Small 2ft to 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 18-19 seconds. The wind is glassy. This is a classic “small but perfect” window – the long period means the sets will have shape, and the point will handle that period beautifully. The energy is moderate (581 to 927), but the conditions are so clean it’s a must for a longboard or a funboard.

The final few days from Saturday the 15th to Tuesday the 18th are small and inconsistent. Saturday the 15th is a bit of a letdown with cross-shore winds and a weak E swell. The best of this last stretch is Monday the 17th morning: 3ft from the SSW with a 14-second period and clean offshore wind from the NW. Glassy again on Tuesday the 18th morning with a tiny 2ft SSW swell. Worth a paddle if you’re jonesing, but nothing to write home about.

Overall, the best on offer is that Sunday the 9th morning for the first week, and Wednesday the 12th morning for the second week. Both are clean, solid groundswells on the point. The second week is a bit more uncertain this far out, but it’s looking promising.

Stay wet, stay salty.
Rusty.

Read more