
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,862 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, grab your board and wetsuit, let's see what the Eastern Cape has in store for us.
Okay, it’s a *slow* start at Cintsa West for the next few days. We're looking at small, messy, and mostly south-westerly wind-affected conditions from Monday through to the middle of the week. There's nothing worth paddling out for in that first stretch until we get past the weekend.
The first proper glimmer of hope comes on Saturday, 11 July in the morning. The wind is going glassy from the east, which will clean everything right up. There’ll be a solid 6ft S swell pushing in, but with a period of 13 seconds, it’s gonna be a proper groundswell. The water is sitting at 65°, which is about 3° colder than usual—so a bit nippy for this time of year. Now, I have to flag it: this spot is a point break that can be *inconsistent*, but when it turns on with glassy conditions and a clean S swell like that, it can be a special session. The combined energy is strong (1300), so you'll feel the push. The good news is that the swell direction matches what this break wants. Just watch out for crowds, because they can show up here *sometimes*, especially on a weekend morning with the best conditions we've seen in days.
Another standout to keep an eye on, a bit further out, is Sunday, 19 July. Now we’re talking big numbers. We’ve got a chunky 12ft SSW groundswell rolling in on the Sunday morning, with a solid 12-second period. The combined wave energy is colossal (4677). Light WSW winds will keep things cross-off and clean. This is expert territory only—the size is well over 8ft, so don’t even think about it if you’re not on your A-game. It’s a bit of a gamble that far out, but the models are showing *excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers* on the Monday morning (20 July) as well, with glassy conditions and the swell easing to a still-very-solid 6ft. That Monday window with the clean air and long 14-second period could be the real pick of the whole run, despite the light rain.
Keep an eye on Tuesday, 21 July, too. The wind will be howling from the WSW at 30 km/h (19 mph), but it’s cross-off, which can keep the waves tidy. With a 5ft SSW swell and a 13-second period, it’ll be punchy and clean for the brave.
The setup overall looks more interesting for paddle surfing than kite surfing this week. The periods are generally long, the wind is often cross-shore or offshore, and the swell directions match the break. Just be patient for that first wave of energy to arrive.
Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
124 | 90 | 173 | 161 | 140 | 242 | 273 | 990 | 521 | 1579 | 1977 | 2558 | 2091 | 1439 | 1127 | 762 | 434 | 279 | 244 | 579 | 343 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:48PM1.40m | 7:59AM1.21m | 8:40PM1.35m | 9:02AM1.13m | 9:47PM1.31m | 10:26AM1.08m | 11:11PM1.30m | 12:02PM1.11m | 00:34AM1.34m | 1:20PM1.20m | 1:43AM1.43m | 2:21PM1.33m | 2:40AM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:04AM0.42m | 2:08PM0.36m | 3:04AM0.47m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:22AM0.49m | 4:26PM0.49m | 5:49AM0.46m | 5:57PM0.48m | 7:07AM0.38m | 7:17PM0.40m | 8:09AM0.27m | 8:22PM0.29m | 9:00AM0.16m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | |
5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | 5:16 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 7 | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | E 7 | E 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 |
124 | 82 | 173 | 161 | 140 | 242 | 273 | 261 | 521 | 1288 | 1977 | 2558 | 2091 | 1439 | 1127 | 762 | 315 | 223 | 181 | 579 | 343 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 14 | S 14 | E 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ESE 6 | SSE 7 | S 12 | S 12 | E 8 | S 11 | S 10 |
59 | 90 | 41 | 32 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 261 | 297 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 58 | 37 | 418 | 279 | 138 | 181 | 179 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 13 | — | ENE 8 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 11 | WSW 5 | SE 11 |
14 | 17 | 50 | 48 | 36 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | 11 | — | 83 | 68 | 244 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 12 | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 4 | SW 7 |
— | — | — | 19 | — | — | 19 | 990 | — | 1579 | — | — | — | — | 104 | 181 | 434 | 7 | 11 | 24 | 205 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 105 | 1 | 28 | 139 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 830 | 297 | 262 | 456 | 0 | 1 |
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.











