Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,850 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period with SE 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ over the next couple of weeks at Cintsa West.
It’s a bit of a slow start, but don’t let that fool you. The first real surf worth paddling out for hits on Tuesday morning, the 21st of July. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell rolling in from the SE with an 11-second period, and the wind is glassy. That’s a recipe for some real nice, clean lines. The water, though, is sitting at 64°F, which is a solid 5°F colder than usual for this time of year – so you’ll want a decent suit. The swell energy is moderate (671), so there’s enough push for a fun session.
The standout of the whole window, without a doubt, is the morning of Wednesday the 23rd of July. Wait, that’s a Thursday morning. Let me check... No, the real standout is Wednesday morning, the 22nd of July. We’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the SE, 12-second period, and the wind is dead calm. Glassy perfection. The energy is moderate (635) but the conditions will be pure gold. It’s an inconsistent point break, so you might have to wait for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be clean. Crowds are possible here, so if you’re early, you’ll be stoked.
Now, hold on to your leash, because Saturday the 1st of August is looking like a big, powerful beast. The morning brings a massive 15ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The wave energy is absolutely cranking (12406). This is expert-only territory. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s not totally blown out, but that size and power at a point break will be intense. If you’re not solid, stay on the beach and watch the show.
Sunday the 2nd of August stays big, with another 15ft morning from the SSW, but the wind swings to a cross-shore from the ENE. Big, powerful waves again. Then Monday the 3rd of August settles down a bit, with an 8ft SE swell and glassy or clean-offshore winds. That’s excellent for experienced surfers, but still hefty for the average punter.
The second week of the forecast is a bit of a mixed bag. There’s some decent, clean surf on the 30th of July morning with a 5ft SSW swell and light winds, but nothing that rivals the earlier standouts. The big swells at the start of August are the real story.
So, to wrap it up: Tuesday morning the 21st for a glassy intro, Wednesday morning the 22nd for the best all-round conditions, and if you’re an expert, the morning of Saturday the 1st of August is a monster that’s worth the look. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 624 | 515 | 403 | 392 | 815 | 461 | 287 | 323 | 309 | 177 | 1628 | 1996 | 2339 | 1328 | 1108 | 919 | 627 | 431 | 263 | 246 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:57PM1.36m | 8:06AM1.13m | 8:42PM1.23m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:46PM1.13m | 10:35AM0.96m | 11:25PM1.08m | 12:34PM0.98m | 00:57AM1.11m | 1:46PM1.07m | 1:55AM1.20m | 2:31PM1.18m | 2:37AM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:11AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.45m | 3:03AM0.57m | 3:00PM0.58m | 4:20AM0.64m | 4:26PM0.66m | 6:10AM0.64m | 6:23PM0.66m | 7:31AM0.56m | 7:40PM0.58m | 8:19AM0.45m | 8:27PM0.49m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 23 | 26 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 25 | 29 | 24 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 624 | 515 | 403 | 369 | 815 | 461 | 280 | 323 | 309 | 177 | 853 | 1996 | 2339 | 1328 | 1108 | 919 | 627 | 431 | 263 | 246 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 7 | ESE 11 | S 19 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 175 | 183 | 203 | 392 | 366 | 282 | 287 | 169 | 167 | 112 | 65 | 172 | 47 | 270 | 11 | 10 | 29 | 40 | 40 | 147 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | — | SE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | — | S 21 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 76 | 45 | 65 | 6 | 6 | 36 | 68 | 83 | 50 | 21 | 12 | 60 | — | 18 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | 9 | 72 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 6 | — | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | NNW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 7 | 128 | — | 31 | 75 | 121 | 1628 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 81 | 100 | 245 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 30 | 138 | 1 | 499 | 123 | 43 | 278 | 123 | 43 | 260 | 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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