Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
19.0°C
0.7° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, S swell with 1,866 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period with ENE 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 (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s 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 2.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 28th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 28th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 27th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's take a good, hard look at what's headed our way for Cintsa West over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait. The early part of the period is a write-off, so don't even bother waxing up until Friday the 28th. Thursday the 27th is a total mess with onshore winds and lumpy, cross-chop conditions. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real window opens up Friday morning, the 28th of August. The wind is swinging offshore from the North, which is going to clean things up nicely. We’re looking at a solid 8 ft swell from the ENE, and even though the period is a touch short at 9 seconds, the surf will be clean and offer some decent power. The combined energy is moderate (2077). This is a great time for intermediate surfers to get amongst it. The afternoon sees the wind shift, making it a bit choppier, so hit the morning session.

Saturday the 29th is a repeat of the same good form. Another clear morning with a light offshore breeze from the NNE, and the swell is still hanging in at 8 ft from the ENE. The energy is a bit stronger (2268). You’ll get excellent, clean waves for the experienced crew. Just be aware, this spot can have crowds sometimes, so there might be a few others with the same idea.

After Saturday, the energy drops. Sunday and Monday are a write-off, with messy winds and poor surf conditions. A bit of a lull.

We get a little tease on Wednesday the 2nd of September, but the swell is small and the winds are messy. The real standout is shaping up for Thursday morning, the 3rd of September. The wind is dead calm, glassy, and the swell is a clean 5 ft from the SSW with a nice 11-second period. It’s a bit inconsistent here, but when it comes, it’ll be quality. The water temperature is still pretty average for the season.

But hold on to your boards, because Friday the 4th of September is a monster. We’re looking at a giant 21 ft to 23 ft swell from the SE with a long 12-second period and very strong wave energy (11595 to 15492). This is purely for experts only. The wind will be a problem, making it lumpy, and the sets will be massive. This is a "watch from the cliff" kind of day.

The swell settles down for the weekend of the 5th and 6th of September, but it’s still big, in the 12 ft to 13 ft range, with onshore winds, so it’s not going to be clean. You might get a window on the 6th of September with a cross-offshore wind. The energy remains strong.

The following week continues to clean up but stays big. Monday the 7th of September morning has a 15 ft swell from the SE with a moderate 11-second period, and a light cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is very strong (5144). This is going to be a powerful, challenging day for experienced surfers only. The rest of the week slowly drops in size, but the winds stay mostly onshore, making it hard to find a clean wave.

Summary: The best bets are the Friday 28th and Saturday 29th of August for the cleanest, most manageable waves. The real standout for power, though, is that Thursday the 3rd of September morning with glassy conditions. Everything after the 4th of September is for experts only.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NE by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Mon night).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
3
4
3
4
4
2
2
0
1
3
1
0
2
1
0
2
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
S
13
1.6
S
12
2.5
ENE
8
3
ENE
9
2.4
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
10
2.5
ENE
10
2.5
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
1.5
E
10
1.6
SSW
7
1.7
SSW
8
1.5
SSW
10
1.8
SW
10
1.3
SSW
8
0.8
E
10
0.7
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
13
1
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1866
797
952
1372
979
1137
1299
1367
896
450
255
388
408
614
186
117
101
261
297
Wind (km/h)
30
NE
35
NE
35
NE
20
NNE
15
N
15
ENE
15
NNE
15
NNE
20
NE
25
WSW
35
SW
25
SW
10
W
10
SSW
10
S
10
NNE
10
NE
10
ENE
15
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
3:20AM1.50m
3:41PM1.58m
3:47AM1.57m
4:07PM1.67m
4:14AM1.61m
4:34PM1.73m
4:42AM1.62m
5:01PM1.74m
5:11AM1.59m
5:30PM1.71m
5:41AM1.52m
6:01PM1.63m
Low Tide
9:17PM0.25m
9:28AM0.11m
9:45PM0.15m
9:53AM0.03m
10:12PM0.08m
10:19AM-0.01m
10:41PM0.05m
10:46AM-0.02m
11:10PM0.05m
11:14AM0.01m
11:40PM0.09m
11:44AM0.08m
00:13AM0.18m
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
 mm
Temp °C
18
20
23
21
34
33
27
31
29
25
19
17
17
18
18
16
24
22
20
Feels °C
15
15
18
17
31
30
24
28
27
24
16
12
13
15
15
15
22
21
20
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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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