Cintsa West surfForecast / Eastern Cape – Wild Coast / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Friday 22 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cintsa West surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
18.1° C
(Which is 4.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 (May 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s 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 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 23rd May)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 25th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 29th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Fri
29
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
3
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
8
0.7
E
11
0.6
E
11
0.6
E
11
0.5
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
11
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
6
0.7
SSW
11
0.6
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
206
114
82
79
78
68
88
74
142
561
257
145
51
117
74
233
459
422
657
505
594
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
SW
10
SSW
10
NW
5
ENE
10
E
10
N
20
NE
25
ENE
10
NNW
20
SW
25
SW
10
WNW
5
ESE
10
E
10
N
5
SW
10
S
5
NNW
20
SSW
30
SW
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross
cross
High Tide
8:34PM1.25m
8:54AM1.09m
9:59PM1.23m
10:27AM1.05m
11:19PM1.25m
11:49AM1.08m
00:20AM1.31m
12:49PM1.15m
1:07AM1.36m
1:35PM1.22m
1:47AM1.41m
2:13PM1.29m
2:22AM1.45m
2:47PM1.34m
Low Tide
2:53AM0.56m
3:09PM0.48m
4:29AM0.58m
4:32PM0.51m
5:52AM0.53m
5:46PM0.49m
6:50AM0.46m
6:43PM0.45m
7:32AM0.38m
7:29PM0.40m
8:07AM0.31m
8:07PM0.36m
8:39AM0.26m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:56
6:56
6:56
6:58
6:58
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:12
5:12
5:10
5:10
5:09
5:09
5:09
Temp °C
17
20
20
18
20
21
18
21
23
18
22
23
17
20
20
19
22
23
17
25
23
16
19
18
18
20
20
19
19
20
17
18
19
16
19
18
19
21
21
17
20
17
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
E
11
0.7
E
11
0.6
E
11
0.6
E
11
0.5
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.6
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
6
0.7
SSW
11
0.6
SSW
10
0.5
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
14
Energy kJ
206
114
82
79
78
68
88
74
142
561
257
145
51
117
74
83
459
422
657
505
594
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
7
0.4
S
9
0.4
SSW
14
0.5
S
6
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.5
SSE
10
1
E
6
0.8
ENE
7
0.6
E
7
0.4
SSW
11
0.3
SSW
15
0.4
SW
13
0.6
SSW
19
0.2
SSE
9
0.1
SE
13
0.2
E
7
0.2
E
6
0.1
E
6
Energy kJ
49
26
82
22
50
48
30
17
54
81
67
36
50
43
46
233
8
7
4
3
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
S
10
0.3
SSW
15
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SSW
6
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
16
0.2
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ENE
7
0.3
ENE
6
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
10
0.3
E
8
0.2
E
8
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
Energy kJ
50
47
42
57
13
60
43
64
15
52
21
21
15
8
18
15
13
5
7
6
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
8
0.6
SW
6
0.7
SSW
5
0.2
ENE
3
0.3
ENE
3
1
E
5
1.6
ENE
6
0.4
SW
3
1.1
SW
5
0.2
WNW
3
0.3
ENE
3
0.6
SSW
4
Energy kJ
179
30
20
1
1
43
197
2
67
1
2
12
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
3
2
2
3
3
3
1
Distance (km)
0
1
1
0
43
123
0
271
278
0
28
105
0
0
123
0
1
28
0
28
431
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
2
1
2
1
3
3
3
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
4
3
3
4
4
5
4
5
5
5
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
5
7
9
9
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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