Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, ENE swell with 645 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s heading our way. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. The wind is all wrong and the swell is messy. We’ve got a gap from the start of the period all the way through until the 13th of September before we see anything worth getting wet for.
The standout window is shaping up to be Sunday the 13th, starting in the afternoon. Cintsa West (a point break) is where the focus is. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSW, with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell with plenty of push. The real winner here is the wind: glassy. That’s a beautiful thing. The combined energy is strong, at 744, and it’s going to be clean. It’s an inconsistent spot, so you’ll need to be patient and pick your sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it. It can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
Now, looking ahead to the 15th of September, Tuesday morning brings another call. The swell is up to 6ft from the east, with a 9-second period. The wind is glassy again. The combined energy is strong at 666, and it’s going to be clean. The east swell direction is a bit off the optimum, but the glassy conditions make it a solid option.
Then, we have a big swell coming in from around the 18th of September. Friday the 18th has some serious size. The morning sees 8ft from the SE with a cross-off wind, and the afternoon jumps to 10ft from the ESE. Both sessions are marked as excellent for experienced surfers only – that’s too big for beginners. The combined energy is strong at 1128 and 1671. The wind is cross-off and clean, so it should be classy. By Saturday the 19th, the swell hangs around 10ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph, making it a lumpy mess. The 20th of September has an 12ft swell from the ENE, but the wind is cross-shore, so it’s not the same quality.
Overall, the best bet is Sunday the 13th afternoon for the glassy, clean conditions and the 18th for the big, clean lines if you’ve got the skill. The long-range stuff on the 18th and 20th is promising, but keep an eye on the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 336 | 480 | 541 | 516 | 490 | 502 | 645 | 289 | 212 | 280 | 175 | 103 | 82 | 124 | 331 | 302 | 561 | 474 | 351 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 17 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 13 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | SSE 7 | S 11 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | 225 | 309 | 324 | 339 | 297 | 311 | 363 | 289 | 212 | 176 | 113 | 103 | 51 | 41 | 63 | 137 | 277 | 265 | 181 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 6 | S 6 | E 9 | S 11 | SSE 7 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 229 | 198 | 139 | 75 | 57 | 32 | 40 | 17 | 119 | 280 | 30 | 33 | 79 | 63 | 30 | 57 | 561 | 474 | 351 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | S 10 | SE 11 | — |
| kJ | — | 66 | 58 | 30 | 23 | 15 | 46 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 175 | 96 | 82 | 10 | 45 | 119 | 18 | 5 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | — | — | E 4 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 336 | 480 | 541 | 516 | 490 | 502 | 645 | 10 | 75 | 39 | — | — | 8 | 124 | 331 | 302 | — | — | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 123 | 43 | 497 | 78 | 43 | 271 | 0 | 197 | 28 | 1 | 28 | 497 | 333 | 323 | 431 | 122 | 127 | 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.
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