Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 26 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
19.3° C
0.9° 

Cintsa West surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cintsa West surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, E swell with 1,311 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 27th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it. The next 16 days are a mixed bag for Cintsa West, with some clean windows if you're patient, but plenty of wind and chop in between.

The start of the period is pretty average. Sunday the 26th has a bit of swell, around 5ft from the SSW with a 12-second period and moderate wave energy (654). But a 6 mph NE crosswind leaves it a bit bumpy. Not worth getting excited about. The following Monday and Tuesday are worse – gusty crosswinds and onshore slop thanks to a SE flow isn't doing us any favours. For the rest of that first week, the swell hangs around 3ft to 6ft, but the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, so the surface is never really clean. That period feels long and you’re better off waiting.

Now, there’s a real standout on the 31st. Friday morning brings a glassy session. The wind drops to a dead calm 3 mph from the S, the swell is a manageable 4ft from the ESE at 9 seconds, but with that glassy surface (480 energy), it's going to be clean and fun. It’s a short window, but for a quick dawny, it’s the best bet in that first week.

We then hit a dead patch. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd are messy with strong NE winds and lumpy 3ft to 10ft wind swell. That 10ft on Sunday morning (2078 energy) is big, but the 19 mph NE crosswind makes it a washing machine – more for the kite crew than paddle surfers. So there's a quiet gap for a few days.

But hold onto your board, because the second week is where it gets interesting. Monday the 3rd morning shows potential again – glassy conditions and a clean 4ft wave from the E (436 energy). Good for a paddle.

The real prize, though, is the 4th. Tuesday morning is looking special. Glassy again (3 mph SE), 4ft from the SE but with a long 13-second period (601 energy). This is the kind of groundswell that loves a point break like Cintsa West, offering clean lines, longer sets, and easy paddles. That is the window to circle on your calendar.

Later in the week, Thursday the 6th morning (6 August) has a clean 7ft ENE swell (937 energy) with a light N cross-off breeze. That's going to be fun for the experienced crew – a bit of size but very clean. And if you want the biggest clean surf of the whole run, Sunday the 9th morning delivers a solid 10ft from the ENE (2088 energy) with a 9-second period and a light SW cross-off. That’s proper, and the data calls it excellent for experienced surfers. But remember, that 10ft is expert territory.

Cintsa West is a point break and it can be inconsistent, but when it lines up like it does on the 4th and the 9th, it's special. The crowds come out when it’s good, especially on weekends, so be ready to share.

As for the water, it’s a touch cool for the time of year at 67°F – about average, nothing to worry about.

In the second week, after that 9th, the swell drops back and the wind turns more cross-onshore into Monday and Tuesday. Nothing wrong with it, but not a standout.

So, if you’ve got a flexible schedule, aim for that glassy Tuesday the 4th morning, or the big clean swell on Sunday the 9th morning. The rest of the run is mostly waiting for the magic to line up.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
0
1
4
1
2
2
0
2
3
2
2
3
2
1
1
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
17
2.4
SSE
8
1.1
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
14
1.8
SE
8
1.7
SE
8
1.6
ESE
9
1.4
ESE
9
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1.2
ESE
9
1.1
ESE
9
1.1
ESE
9
1
ESE
9
1.4
SE
8
3
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
540
313
449
225
244
950
674
491
542
395
353
372
326
333
326
237
203
206
144
268
1311
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
20
NE
10
NNW
30
SW
25
SSW
5
WSW
15
SE
10
SE
10
E
15
ESE
10
E
5
N
10
NE
10
E
5
NW
5
S
10
ESE
10
NE
20
ENE
25
ENE
25
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
off
cross
cross
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:31PM1.18m
2:37AM1.30m
3:06PM1.29m
3:11AM1.39m
3:37PM1.39m
3:42AM1.46m
4:07PM1.48m
4:11AM1.52m
4:35PM1.55m
4:39AM1.54m
5:03PM1.60m
5:07AM1.54m
5:31PM1.62m
Low Tide
8:19AM0.45m
8:27PM0.49m
8:55AM0.35m
9:04PM0.39m
9:25AM0.25m
9:36PM0.31m
9:54AM0.16m
10:07PM0.24m
10:21AM0.10m
10:36PM0.20m
10:48AM0.06m
11:06PM0.17m
11:15AM0.05m
11:36PM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:00
7:00
6:58
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
14
29
2
5
2
2
Temp °C
20
23
21
20
21
19
16
16
15
16
16
16
17
18
16
18
18
16
17
17
14
Feels °C
16
19
16
15
16
18
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
17
16
15
13
13
10
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  • 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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