
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SSW swell with 1,075 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period with E 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 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles per hour for you. The first week is a slow burner at Cintsa West.
Water temp is 64°, which is about 4° colder than average for this time of year—a proper cool one. The first real action kicks off on Tuesday the 14th with a glassy morning, 6ft surf from the east, cleaning up even more in the afternoon with a 6ft wave. Wednesday the 15th is another glassy morning with 5ft, a bit smaller but clean.
Then it gets grumpy. Late Friday the 17th, a 6ft SSW swell arrives but gets hammered by a 19 mph cross-shore wind. The whole weekend is a write-off with lumpy, cross-shore chop. A few small, messy days follow.
The big moment arrives on Wednesday, July 22nd. For intermediate-to-advanced surfers, the morning brings a clean 7ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period. The combined wave energy is a massive 1920. With a light offshore wind, this is going to be a session to remember—long, lined-up waves.
Then, for the proper chargers, Friday July 24th is the one to circle. You’re looking at a 12ft SW swell at dawn, with a 12-second period. The energy reading is a monstrous 4622. That's big, heavy, and powerful, with a clean offshore breeze. This is expert-only territory, so don't get in over your head. It's a long-range call, but the data is screaming.
After that, the surf backs off, with some nice glassy mornings and smaller waves around 4ft to 4ft to close out the run on the 27th and 28th.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | E 8 | E 9 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
582 | 401 | 412 | 588 | 476 | 445 | 362 | 369 | 331 | 288 | 357 | 269 | 162 | 1075 | 673 | 400 | 517 | 351 | 210 | 144 | 108 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:12PM1.46m | 3:29AM1.59m | 3:59PM1.57m | 4:13AM1.62m | 4:42PM1.64m | 4:54AM1.61m | 5:23PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.56m | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:00AM0.16m | 9:16PM0.19m | 9:45AM0.07m | 10:04PM0.13m | 10:26AM0.02m | 10:49PM0.10m | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | |||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
300 | 401 | 412 | 588 | 476 | 445 | 362 | 369 | 331 | 288 | 294 | 242 | 162 | 1075 | 673 | 400 | 517 | 351 | 210 | 122 | 90 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 4 | SSE 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | SE 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
227 | 175 | 100 | 68 | 64 | 43 | 2 | 10 | 46 | 130 | 357 | 269 | 158 | 125 | 92 | 295 | 46 | 160 | 162 | 144 | 108 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | S 10 | — | — | S 14 | E 10 | SSE 13 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 |
— | — | 136 | 29 | 28 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 53 | 148 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 206 | 92 | 35 | 167 | 68 | 92 | 55 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | — |
582 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 67 | — | — | 64 | 332 | — | 4 | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 431 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 432 | 262 | 28 | 297 | 431 | 10 | 28 | 323 | 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.










