
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, S swell with 2,111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here again, but in feet and miles.
It’s a slow start at Cintsa West, but there’s a couple of real rippers in this 16-day stretch. The first few days are a bit of a mess, so don’t bother paddling out until the weekend.
Monday the 7th is a no-go. Swell is around 7ft from the south with a 15-second period, so a lot of energy, but that 19 mph northeasterly is tearing it up. The water is sitting at 65°, which is a bit cooler than usual. Tuesday and Wednesday are a little better with lighter winds, but the swell shifts to the east-northeast with a short 8-second period, so it’s weak and wonky.
Thursday the 10th drops right off, and things stay poor through the 12th. Small swell, messy wind – not worth it.
Then we hit the jackpot. Sunday the 13th is the day to be in the water. Early morning, we’ve got an 8ft east-northeast swell, 9-second period, with a light north-northeasterly breeze that’s cross-offshore. The energy is huge. By the afternoon, it goes glassy with a 7ft swell. This is clean, powerful, and perfect for experienced surfers. Crowds are only a “sometimes” here, so you might get a decent share of waves.
Monday the 14th morning is still glassy, but the swell drops to 4ft. It’s a fun session, but not a standout.
The weekend after that, the 19th and 20th, looks good too. Saturday the 19th has a 8ft to 8ft east-northeast swell with offshore winds from the north-northwest. That’s clean and powerful, but it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it. Sunday the 20th holds the size but the wind gets a bit stronger cross-offshore, so it won’t be as clean.
After that, the swell fades and the wind turns onshore, so the good run is done by the 21st.
Bottom line: Sunday the 13th is the one. Glassy, solid, and clean. Saturday the 19th is also a strong bet if you’re looking further ahead.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NE by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 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) | S 15 | S 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2111 | 1281 | 406 | 612 | 627 | 631 | 645 | 589 | 809 | 287 | 207 | 366 | 183 | 103 | 87 | 282 | 147 | 604 | 1089 | 734 | 417 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 1:31PM1.24m | 1:49AM1.33m | 2:17PM1.44m | 2:31AM1.46m | 2:54PM1.60m | 3:07AM1.56m | 3:27PM1.72m | 3:40AM1.62m | 3:59PM1.78m | 4:11AM1.64m | 4:28PM1.78m | 4:40AM1.62m | 4:56PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:42PM0.42m | 8:03AM0.29m | 8:27PM0.26m | 8:40AM0.14m | 9:05PM0.13m | 9:13AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.04m | 9:44AM-0.03m | 10:09PM0.00m | 10:13AM-0.04m | 10:38PM0.01m | 10:41AM-0.01m | 11:05PM0.06m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 30 | 25 | 21 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 30 | 25 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 17 | E 9 | SSW 15 | E 9 |
2111 | 1281 | 229 | 367 | 375 | 363 | 318 | 372 | 380 | 287 | 207 | 173 | 115 | 103 | 43 | 139 | 147 | 170 | 691 | 381 | 417 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 6 | E 9 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 14 |
— | — | 229 | 198 | 141 | 83 | 57 | 32 | 39 | 18 | 95 | 366 | 183 | 28 | 79 | 71 | 65 | 39 | 362 | — | 281 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SE 12 | — | S 10 | — | SSW 4 |
— | — | — | 66 | 50 | 27 | 23 | 15 | 46 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 25 | 102 | 87 | 10 | 6 | — | 18 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | ESE 5 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | — |
173 | 410 | 406 | 612 | 627 | 631 | 645 | 589 | 809 | 21 | 44 | 21 | — | — | 27 | 282 | 141 | 604 | 1089 | 734 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 431 | 431 | 123 | 43 | 271 | 43 | 123 | 323 | 0 | 260 | 28 | 1 | 28 | 380 | 297 | 431 | 431 | 127 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.










