Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
20.6° C
0.6° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, E swell with 1,518 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 3rd Aug)8ft (2.4m) 10s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 2nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Cintsa West for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we have a bit of a wait. The good stuff doesn’t really kick in until Thursday the 30th. The water temp is sitting right about average for the time of year, so no surprises there when you’re suiting up.

The early part of the week is a bit of a write-off. Wednesday the 29th is a no-go for me; we’ve got a light rain and a cross-onshore breeze bumping up a small 4ft swell from the SSW. The energy is high at 1007, but the conditions just aren’t there. It’s a bit of a tease.

Thursday the 30th is where we start to see some life. The morning session is the pick of the early window. We’re looking at a clean 6ft swell from the ESE, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a proper window to get some. The combined energy is moderate at 948, so there’s some push behind it. The afternoon sees the wind swing onshore, which will mess up the surface.

Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are a bit of a write-off. The wind is up and cross-shore, making for lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is still there, but it’s not worth paddling out for the mess.

Sunday the 2nd of August is a bit of a tease. The swell bumps up to 8ft from the E with a long 11-second period, giving it a solid 1463 combined energy. But the wind is still cross-shore from the NE at 16 mph, so it’s going to be a bit of a wrestling match. Not a total washout, but not the best.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Saturday the 8th of August. The morning session is the one. We’re talking a solid 8ft swell from the ENE, a short period of 8 seconds, but the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the N at only 6 mph. The combined energy is a massive 1628, which is strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s big enough to be a handful for beginners, but for the crew that knows what they’re doing, it’s going to be a proper day. The break is a point, so it should handle the size well. Keep an eye on the crowds, as it can get busy here.

There’s another promising window on the horizon. Tuesday the 11th of August morning looks clean again. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the E with a solid 10-second period, and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The energy is high at 1105. It’s a solid option for the second week.

Wednesday the 12th of August morning is also worth a mention for the brave. We’ve got a 8ft swell from the S with a 10-second period and a light cross-shore breeze. The energy is a massive 1772, but the wind is just cross, not offshore. It’s a bit of a beast, but for the experts, it’ll be a challenge.

The rest of the period is a bit of a mixed bag with smaller swells and iffy winds. The focus is definitely on that Saturday the 8th and that Tuesday the 11th. Keep the wax warm for those.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NE by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
3
3
2
3
1
1
2
0
0
1
2
2
4
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SE
8
1.1
SSW
14
1.6
ESE
9
1.1
SSW
14
1.8
ESE
9
1.8
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.6
ESE
9
2.2
E
8
2.1
E
9
2.3
E
11
2.4
E
11
2.4
E
10
2
E
10
2.1
E
10
1.6
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
598
427
361
492
547
520
469
480
474
484
388
686
734
1276
1363
1222
769
832
449
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
10
ESE
5
SE
10
WNW
5
SW
10
SE
5
NE
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
NNE
30
NE
30
ENE
25
NE
25
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
10
NE
10
NE
10
N
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:42AM1.46m
4:07PM1.48m
4:11AM1.52m
4:35PM1.55m
4:39AM1.54m
5:03PM1.60m
5:07AM1.54m
5:31PM1.62m
5:36AM1.52m
6:01PM1.61m
6:07AM1.46m
6:32PM1.56m
Low Tide
9:36PM0.31m
9:54AM0.16m
10:07PM0.24m
10:21AM0.10m
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
light rain
light rain
light rain
clear
cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:00
7:00
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
3
1
1
Temp °C
16
15
16
14
16
17
16
18
18
15
17
19
16
18
21
16
23
23
19
Feels °C
13
12
15
13
15
14
14
14
13
11
11
13
11
13
17
14
20
21
18
  • Map Icons:
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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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