Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, S swell with 1,173 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Cintsa West for the next couple of weeks.
Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but we’ve got some real gems hidden in there, especially for those who like clean, lined-up point waves. The water is unusually cold right now, sitting at 64°F, which is a massive 4°F colder than average for this time of year – so you’ll definitely want a thick steamer and maybe some booties.
The first real window of opportunity is Saturday morning, August 8th. The wind is forecast to be glassy – dead calm – with a clean 4ft SSW groundswell pushing in with a solid 14-second period. The combined energy is moderate (682). This is the kind of morning where the point just lines up and you can pick your own wave. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum. It’s inconsistent, but when it comes, it’ll be worth it. Just be aware, crowds are possible at this spot.
Sunday morning, August 9th, is also a good shout. The wind swings cross-offshore from the WSW, still cleaning things up, with a similar 4ft SSW swell and the same long period of 14 seconds. The energy is a touch higher (735). This is a solid, classic Cintsa West morning.
Monday, August 10th, we see a significant jump in size. The swell swings more SE, coming in at 7ft with a shorter period of 8-9 seconds. The combined energy is very strong (1556 to 1691). This is expert territory, and with the shorter period and cross-shore winds, it’s going to be a messy, lumpy beast. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. The best of the bigger days is likely Tuesday morning, August 11th, with a 6ft S swell and a longer 11-second period, but the wind is onshore, making it a challenge.
The second week is pretty quiet. The standout is Wednesday morning, August 19th. The wind is forecast to be glassy again, with a 4ft E swell at 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (525) and the forecast suggests very good surf conditions. It’s a promising end to the run, but it’s a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed.
So, here’s the takeaway: if you want the best waves, aim for the glassy morning of Saturday, August 8th. If you miss that, Sunday morning, August 9th, is almost as good. After that, it gets big and messy for a few days before the second weekend offers a final, clean glimpse.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 309 | 735 | 569 | 339 | 367 | 661 | 565 | 384 | 352 | 653 | 507 | 361 | 764 | 647 | 572 | 836 | 911 | 464 | 344 | 277 | 192 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:12AM1.14m | 8:56PM1.26m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19PM0.45m | 3:32AM0.54m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 11 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 53 | 735 | 569 | 339 | 367 | 661 | 565 | 384 | 352 | 653 | 246 | 167 | 764 | 647 | 572 | 836 | 911 | 339 | 315 | 277 | 192 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SSW 14 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | E 9 | S 10 |
| kJ | 120 | 90 | 90 | 64 | 61 | 43 | 117 | 82 | 90 | 66 | 43 | 29 | 15 | 217 | 205 | 204 | 45 | 464 | 344 | 85 | 128 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | — | S 18 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 14 | E 9 | — | SSW 11 | E 9 | SSW 22 | E 9 |
| kJ | 309 | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 16 | 10 | — | 256 | 263 | 206 | 27 | — | 221 | 58 | 181 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | — | — | — | NE 7 | ENE 5 | — | SW 4 | SSW 6 | — | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | — | SE 7 | ESE 8 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 6 |
| kJ | 115 | — | — | — | 2 | 48 | — | 17 | 43 | — | 507 | 361 | 521 | 564 | — | 162 | 224 | — | 291 | 277 | 176 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 461 | 0 | 1 | 403 | 123 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 2975 | 576 | 874 | 28 | 1 | 28 | 873 | 43 | 30 | 458 | 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.
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