
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, S swell with 1,354 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 6s 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 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.
First thing you need to know, the water is freezing. We’re talking 64°F at Cintsa West, and that’s a whopping 4°F colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a serious step down in temperature, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit. It’s not just a little cool; it’s notably colder than usual.
Now, the surf. The week starts off a bit slow. Friday the 7th is a no-go, with small 4ft swell and cross-shore winds. It’s just not worth it.
But then, Saturday morning the 8th is the standout. It’s early, but it’s the pick of the week. The wind is offshore and light, only 3 mph, so it’s gonna be clean. The swell is 4ft from the SSW with a nice long period of 14 seconds. That’s groundswell, and it’s got a solid energy reading of 676 (moderate energy). Cintsa West is a point break, so that long period is going to wrap in nicely and give you some proper lines. The only catch is it’s inconsistent here, so you’ll be waiting for sets, but when they come, they’ll be clean. Crowds are possible, so be ready for company.
Sunday morning the 9th gets a bit bigger, with 5ft from the SSW, same 14-second period, but the wind swings to a cross-off at 19 mph. That’s a lot of breeze, and the energy jumps to 957 (strong energy). It’s rideable, but it’s a bit more of a handful.
Monday the 10th morning sees a bigger swell, 8ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 9 seconds. That’s a short-period, wind-driven swell, and the energy is massive at 1558 (very strong energy). With that much power and short period, it’s going to be a beast. That’s experts-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a battle.
The rest of the week into the second week is a bit of a mixed bag with a lot of marginal conditions. There’s a lot of cross-shore wind and smaller swell. The energy drops off significantly.
Then we get to Sunday the 16th. The afternoon is interesting. The wind goes glassy, 0 mph, and the swell is 3ft from the east with an 11-second period. The energy is 308 (weak to moderate). It’s small, but it’s glassy. That’s a nice window for a longboard or a funboard session.
The following Wednesday morning, the 19th, also looks good with glassy conditions, 2ft from the SSW and a 12-second period. Energy is 268 (weak). Again, small and clean.
The real standout, though, is still Saturday morning the 8th. That’s your best shot at a proper session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 12 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
339 | 328 | 590 | 565 | 384 | 367 | 1222 | 302 | 474 | 408 | 202 | 634 | 1221 | 992 | 464 | 439 | 368 | 322 | 267 | 399 | 424 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:39AM1.03m | 10:42PM1.18m | 11:55AM1.04m | 00:36AM1.23m | 1:27PM1.18m | 1:48AM1.35m | 2:24PM1.36m | 2:40AM1.48m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:22AM1.58m | 3:48PM1.66m | 4:00AM1.63m | 4:25PM1.74m | 4:35AM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.56m | 5:31AM0.56m | 5:55PM0.57m | 7:11AM0.45m | 7:30PM0.45m | 8:11AM0.30m | 8:30PM0.30m | 8:56AM0.16m | 9:16PM0.17m | 9:34AM0.04m | 9:56PM0.08m | 10:09AM-0.03m | 10:33PM0.04m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 25 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 19 | 14 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 9 | SE 7 | SSW 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
339 | 328 | 590 | 565 | 384 | 367 | 90 | 242 | 89 | 27 | 52 | 634 | 1221 | 992 | 381 | 439 | 368 | 322 | 258 | 183 | 424 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | S 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | ESE 7 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 7 | SSW 14 | SSE 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 |
64 | 61 | 34 | 117 | 88 | 92 | 5 | 64 | 29 | 39 | 130 | 105 | 492 | 349 | 464 | 251 | 191 | 177 | 98 | 399 | 352 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 9 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | ESE 7 | — | — | SE 9 | S 14 | ESE 9 | — | SSE 9 | SSW 23 | SW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 10 |
2 | 2 | 62 | 6 | 7 | 12 | — | 5 | — | — | 36 | 203 | 34 | — | 162 | 54 | 118 | 201 | 267 | 140 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | NE 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSW 8 | — | SE 7 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 3 | E 5 | NNE 4 |
— | — | 33 | 198 | 11 | 43 | 1222 | 302 | 474 | 408 | 202 | — | 143 | 381 | — | — | — | 23 | 9 | 75 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 499 | 123 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 105 | 2975 | 262 | 1 | 512 | 28 | 499 | 873 | 105 | 100 | 197 | 0 | 213 | 336 | 10 |
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.











