Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
17.5° C
2.4° 

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 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,891 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s 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 (Aug 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 0.5m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 17th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty.

Alright, let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Cintsa West. We’ve got a classic point break on the cards, and over the next 16 days, there are a couple of real windows where it’ll be worth getting in the water. Don’t expect consistent, non-stop action, but when it’s on, it’s on.

Starting off on Monday the 17th of August, we get our first real taste. The morning is glassy, with a clean 4.3ft easterly swell, period around 11 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 418. It’s a nice, clean start. The water temp is 62.6°, which is 5.2° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit – that’s a proper chill for the Eastern Cape.

That Monday arvo gets a bit of a cross-on breeze, so not as clean, but still some fun waves around. Tuesday the 18th is pretty average with smaller swell and crossing winds. Wednesday the 19th is the first standout. The morning is a bit messy with a northeasterly, but the afternoon turns glassy again, with a solid 3.9ft swell shifting to the SSW, period hitting 13 seconds, and combined energy at 599 – that’s a proper groundswell with some push. This is the kind of long-period swell that loves a point break like this, giving you longer, shaped-up lines.

Now, Thursday the 20th sees size pick up. The morning has a 7.2ft SSW swell (12-second period) with a clean cross-off wind, and the energy jumps to 2036 – moderate to strong. That’s good for intermediate surfers, but watch out: the afternoon pushes to 11.5ft (14-second period) with a choppy cross-on breeze, which is only for experts. That afternoon energy is 6437 – very strong. Friday and Saturday lose the magic with bigger winds and smaller, weaker swell.

Then Sunday the 23rd of August is the next real gem. Morning is glassy again, with a clean 5.9ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, combined energy of 989. That’s a beautiful, moderate-to-strong groundswell on a glassy point – you can’t ask for much more. This is your second standout session.

After that, the first week of September looks a bit messy. Monday the 31st of August has some rain and inconsistent swell up to 5.6ft, but the energy is high. Tuesday the 1st of September is similar, with a cross-shore wind and a 5.2ft SSW swell, but the wind is too strong for real quality.

Overall, the best two windows are Wednesday afternoon the 19th of August and Sunday morning the 23rd of August. Clean, glassy conditions with solid SSW groundswell and moderate energy. The crowds can show up here sometimes, but on those glassy mornings, it’s worth the paddle.

Stay stoked.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
1
0
3
2
2
1
2
2
4
3
0
3
0
0
3
2
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)
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
1
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.8
E
10
1.2
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
2
SSW
10
2.5
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
12
1.2
S
12
1.9
SW
12
0.9
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
7
1.5
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
396
326
198
154
117
519
468
490
294
772
2285
1288
579
404
1029
209
199
476
692
862
694
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
10
S
10
WSW
10
SW
15
SSW
10
NE
15
NE
5
SSW
25
WSW
20
SW
10
SSE
10
NNE
10
NE
10
SSW
20
WSW
20
SW
15
SSW
10
W
10
SSE
5
SE
5
N
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
6:31PM1.52m
6:38AM1.32m
6:59PM1.38m
7:07AM1.19m
7:30PM1.23m
7:39AM1.06m
8:10PM1.08m
8:39AM0.93m
10:07PM0.97m
12:31PM0.91m
00:55AM1.03m
1:46PM1.05m
1:49AM1.16m
Low Tide
12:12PM0.16m
00:40AM0.30m
12:40PM0.29m
1:10AM0.42m
1:09PM0.43m
1:44AM0.55m
1:44PM0.58m
2:39AM0.67m
2:48PM0.72m
5:33AM0.73m
6:24PM0.74m
7:32AM0.61m
7:43PM0.62m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
 mm
Temp °C
21
21
16
19
19
17
22
24
17
19
19
17
20
22
16
18
18
14
18
18
15
Feels °C
21
21
16
18
17
17
21
24
13
15
16
17
19
22
14
15
14
12
16
16
14
  • 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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