
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with 3,177 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period with SE 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 (Jul 04) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what we’ve got on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
We start off with a bit of a slow patch, but the first real chance to get wet comes this Saturday morning, July 4th, at Cintsa West (a point break). It’s not for the faint-hearted though. We’re looking at a solid 8 ft swell from the southeast, with a long 12-second period pushing a lot of energy through (combined energy of 1773). The wind is glassy—dead calm—so the surface will be perfect. But that’s a big swell, over 8 ft, so this is strictly for experienced surfers only. The break is inconsistent, but when it comes, it’ll be excellent. Given the size and the fact it’s a point break with that long period, expect some nice lines, but also longer waits between sets.
That Saturday afternoon, the swell drops slightly to 7 ft, but the wind swings to a light cross-onshore, putting a few ripples on the face. The quality drops off.
Sunday morning, July 5th, is a different story. The swell has backed off to a much friendlier 5 ft, still from the southeast with a 12-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the north-northwest. That’s clean surf, with a combined energy of 584—moderate but well-shaped. This is likely your best window for a fun session that’s not too heavy.
From Monday the 6th through Tuesday the 14th, it’s a quiet run. Waves drop below 3 ft most days, with a mix of weak, short-period slop and very ordinary conditions. There’s a brief glimmer on Tuesday morning, July 14th, with a clean 2 ft swell and a cross-off wind, but it’s small and weak. Bottom line: a long gap with no real recommendations.
Now, Friday morning, July 17th, things get interesting again. A solid 5 ft swell from the south-southwest, with a very long 16-second period, comes in clean under a cross-off wind. That’s a groundswell with a ton of energy (1461). Because it’s a point break and the period is so long, this will draw up some beautiful, powerful lines—but expect them to be a bit straight, and the sets will have long gaps between them. This is excellent for experienced surfers again.
Saturday, July 18th, bumps up to 7 ft from the south, with a 15-second period and a cross-shore wind. The energy is high (2472), but the wind is just barely okay. Still, it’s a big, long-period swell for the experts.
To wrap it up: the standout is definitely Saturday morning, July 4th for the big, glassy, powerful surf—but only if you’ve got the skills. The other real highlight is Friday morning, July 17th, with that long-period groundswell and clean wind. Don’t hold your breath for the week in between.
The water is about average for the time of year around Cintsa West, nothing out of the ordinary.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Fri 10 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2982 | 1711 | 1202 | 760 | 519 | 437 | 263 | 129 | 122 | 77 | 229 | 210 | 231 | 120 | 285 | 1255 | 1568 | 1430 | 1054 | 1650 | 2594 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:58AM1.42m | 6:30PM1.45m | 6:33AM1.36m | 7:06PM1.43m | 7:12AM1.29m | 7:48PM1.40m | 7:59AM1.21m | 8:40PM1.35m | 9:02AM1.13m | 9:47PM1.31m | 10:26AM1.08m | 11:11PM1.30m | 12:02PM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:58PM0.31m | 12:10PM0.19m | 00:34AM0.34m | 12:44PM0.23m | 1:15AM0.38m | 1:22PM0.29m | 2:04AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.36m | 3:04AM0.47m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:22AM0.49m | 4:26PM0.49m | 5:49AM0.46m | 5:57PM0.48m | |||||||
— | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | |
5:12 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 10 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 16 |
2982 | 1711 | 1202 | 760 | 519 | 437 | 263 | 129 | 122 | 77 | 229 | 210 | 231 | 106 | 285 | 947 | 1568 | 1430 | 1054 | 1650 | 2594 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | ESE 12 | SW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | E 7 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | ENE 8 | SSW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
154 | 47 | 27 | 68 | 41 | 14 | 27 | 22 | 58 | 67 | 47 | 55 | 24 | 120 | 6 | 57 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | SW 20 | ESE 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | S 9 | SW 13 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
51 | 15 | 28 | 39 | 24 | 22 | 14 | 43 | 14 | 16 | 26 | 48 | 23 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | SW 3 | SW 7 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | 4 | 237 | 1255 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 297 | 324 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 28 |
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.











