Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, ENE swell with 3,134 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's chew through what we've got for Cintsa West.
To be blunt, the next week and a bit is looking bleak. We've got a serious dry spell coming up. The wind is mostly working against us—east to southeast winds will keep things cross-onshore or onshore, creating chop and lumpy conditions. It's going to be a frustrating time to paddle out.
The first real light at the end of the tunnel arrives late on Friday the 25th of September. That's when we see a serious pulse of energy. A big groundswell from the south, with an impressive period of 17 seconds and a face height of 12ft, is forecast to roll in. The combined energy is pumping hard at (6557). The wind that afternoon is cross-shore with a moderate breeze, so it will have some texture, but the power is undeniable. The direction from the south is spot-on for the break. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but it's over a week out, so don't book the trip just yet. This is expert territory only at that size. Also, the water is running at about 60°, which is a shocking 7° colder than average for this time of year. That is a very unusual chill—you will need a thick winter wetsuit, boots, gloves, the works.
Saturday the 26th of September looks better for the average surfer. The wind swings to a light offshore from the SSW in the morning, cleaning up a still solid 6ft south swell. It'll be the more user-friendly option of the two.
After that, we're likely back into messy easterly wind patterns.
The takeaway: the first two weeks are a dead loss. Hang tight for that big south groundswell at the end of the month. The long-range has some real potential.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun morning, calm by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | SSW 18 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 219 | 565 | 1541 | 1487 | 1701 | 2100 | 1962 | 1796 | 881 | 674 | 512 | 327 | 284 | 912 | 588 | 669 | 631 | 525 | 450 | 505 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:28PM1.78m | 4:40AM1.62m | 4:56PM1.73m | 5:07AM1.56m | 5:23PM1.64m | 5:34AM1.47m | 5:48PM1.52m | 5:59AM1.36m | 6:12PM1.38m | 6:24AM1.23m | 6:37PM1.23m | 6:50AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:38PM0.01m | 10:41AM-0.01m | 11:05PM0.06m | 11:08AM0.06m | 11:31PM0.14m | 11:34AM0.17m | 11:56PM0.25m | 12:00PM0.29m | 00:22AM0.37m | 12:25PM0.43m | 00:50AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.58m | 1:31AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 31 | 11 | 1 | — | 6 | 19 | 13 |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 |
Feels °C | 22 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 85 | 565 | 688 | 487 | 1328 | 1537 | 131 | 1796 | 881 | 674 | 512 | 327 | 284 | 325 | 588 | 564 | 631 | 525 | 450 | 301 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | — | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | E 9 |
| kJ | 48 | 37 | 26 | 6 | 297 | 187 | — | 73 | 63 | 66 | 88 | 153 | 85 | 108 | 161 | 158 | 133 | 100 | 107 | 43 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 10 | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | S 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 74 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 22 | 51 | 47 | 85 | 139 | 183 | 156 | 74 | 68 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 4 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | SE 9 |
| kJ | 219 | 303 | 1541 | 1487 | 1701 | 2100 | 1962 | 12 | — | — | — | 24 | 62 | 912 | 292 | 669 | — | — | — | 505 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 456 | 431 | 431 | 431 | 460 | 262 | 131 | 28 | 28 | 180 | 0 | 29 | 456 | 297 | 131 | 512 | 105 | 123 | 380 | 489 |
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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