Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
18.4°C
1.4° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,106 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 25th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 26th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Right. Let’s have a look at Cintsa West over the next couple of weeks. It’s an exposed point break that likes a solid SE swell, but this forecast is a bit of a mixed bag. The water is sitting at 65°, which is close to a degree and a half colder than what we’d usually expect for this time of year – something to keep in mind when you’re suiting up.

We’re looking at a slow start. Nothing really worth paddling out for until Tuesday the 25th. That’s a gap of a couple of days with no real surf on offer. Tuesday morning sees a SSW swell of 5 ft with a period of 16 seconds, so that’s a proper long-period groundswell rolling in. Combined energy is moderate at (1146). The wind is cross from the SSW, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but that long period will give it some shape. That same swell hangs around through the afternoon (6 ft, 1472 energy), still cross-shore.

Wednesday the 26th brings a bigger push. Morning sees 8 ft from the S with a 17-second period – that’s very long period and very strong energy (3364). But the wind is cross-onshore from the east, which will mess up the surface a bit. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 10 ft (5106 energy!), with the same long period. That’s expert territory. Wind is cross-onshore and moderate, so the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing honestly. It’s going to be a beast and strong.

Friday the 28th is the standout. The morning is glassy with an E swell of 6 ft and a period of 9 seconds. Combined energy is solid at (1164) and the wind is glass. That means clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. It’s a bit of a rare, inconsistent spot but when it comes together like this, it’s magic. Crowds are sometimes here, so you might see a few others out.

Saturday the 29th morning still has some decent size – 8 ft from the ENE, period 9 seconds. Wind is cross-offshore from the NNE, so the face will be clean. Energy is (1419) – still good. It’s not as clean as Friday, but it’s still a goer.

After that, the surf drops off quick. From Sunday the 30th all the way through to the 7th of September, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. There’s no real standout in that second week. The morning of Monday the 7th of September sees another SSW groundswell of 6 ft with a 12-second period (1025 energy) and light cross-shore wind, which could be worth a look, but it’s a long way out and not nearly as strong as this week’s best.

So, the pick of the entire 16 days is without doubt Friday morning the 28th at Cintsa West. That glassy 6 ft E swell is going to be clean, punchy, and fun. Saturday morning the 29th is the backup. Keep an eye on that Wednesday 26th if you’re an expert after something big and scary.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
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
1
3
3
2
3
3
3
1
1
0
4
4
2
3
3
2
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
SSW
10
1.6
SSW
10
1.3
S
10
0.9
S
8
0.9
S
11
1.3
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
2.4
S
17
3
S
17
2.4
S
14
1.9
S
13
2.5
ENE
8
3
ENE
9
1.3
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.5
E
9
2.3
ENE
9
2.2
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
983
577
319
112
198
775
1135
1464
898
3364
5106
2093
1178
838
1387
497
565
397
865
781
1318
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
10
S
10
N
5
S
5
SE
5
WNW
15
SSW
15
SW
5
SW
10
E
20
E
25
NE
30
NE
35
NE
10
NNE
5
NE
15
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
25
NE
15
NE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
1:46PM1.05m
1:49AM1.16m
2:21PM1.19m
2:24AM1.29m
2:49PM1.34m
2:53AM1.40m
3:15PM1.47m
3:20AM1.50m
3:41PM1.58m
3:47AM1.57m
4:07PM1.67m
4:14AM1.61m
4:34PM1.73m
4:42AM1.62m
Low Tide
7:43PM0.62m
8:09AM0.47m
8:20PM0.49m
8:37AM0.33m
8:50PM0.36m
9:03AM0.21m
9:17PM0.25m
9:28AM0.11m
9:45PM0.15m
9:53AM0.03m
10:12PM0.08m
10:19AM-0.01m
10:41PM0.05m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
2
1
2
Temp °C
19
19
16
20
21
16
18
19
17
17
17
17
20
23
20
29
29
29
32
31
25
Feels °C
15
15
16
18
19
16
16
16
16
15
14
13
15
18
18
27
27
25
29
29
23
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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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