
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 3,551 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 19 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period with E 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 24th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
732 | 672 | 676 | 671 | 610 | 527 | 407 | 481 | 478 | 242 | 129 | 153 | 186 | 493 | 593 | 533 | 251 | 169 | 95 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:50AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.08m | 7:30AM0.95m | 8:11PM0.94m | 12:16PM0.91m | 00:32AM0.98m | 1:21PM1.06m | 1:23AM1.12m | 1:50PM1.22m | 1:55AM1.26m | 2:16PM1.38m | 2:23AM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:50AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.58m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:40PM0.73m | 4:11AM0.75m | 6:20PM0.77m | 7:00AM0.63m | 7:24PM0.63m | 7:35AM0.48m | 7:54PM0.48m | 8:02AM0.34m | 8:21PM0.33m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
6:00 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 5 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 26 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 6 |
186 | 142 | 183 | 97 | 139 | 127 | 289 | 212 | 185 | 160 | 129 | 83 | 55 | 120 | 90 | 533 | 251 | 169 | 66 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | — | SSE 7 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 18 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | E 9 |
480 | — | 69 | 120 | 12 | — | 73 | 481 | 478 | 242 | 129 | 24 | 84 | — | 45 | 65 | 62 | 20 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 42 | 41 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | ENE 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | W 3 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | S 6 |
732 | 672 | 676 | 671 | 610 | 527 | 407 | — | 251 | — | — | 153 | 186 | 493 | 593 | 2 | 38 | 94 | 95 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 499 | 432 | 512 | 406 | 123 | 323 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 28 | 100 | 180 | 271 | 295 | 0 | 216 | 190 | 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.










