
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SW swell with 4,450 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been going over the charts for this stretch. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s some serious firepower on the horizon if you’re patient.
The week kicks off slow, with the first real chance to paddle coming on Friday the 17th. Cintsa West is the only spot, and while it’s not firing, there’s energy. Friday morning brings a 7ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but it’s messy with a cross-shore wind. The combined energy is a massive 2061 (strong), so there’s power, but conditions are just marginal. Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are small, with 4ft to 5ft swells and cross-shore winds, so it’s a wait-and-see situation.
The real turning point is Monday the 20th. The morning session is a gem: glassy conditions with a light easterly, a clean 4ft SE swell, and a 12-second period. The water is a chilly 63°, which is a whopping 5° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a real shock to the system, so bring the thickest wetsuit you’ve got. Tuesday the 21st morning is also glassy with a similar 4ft SE swell, and Wednesday the 22nd morning sees a glassy 4ft SSW swell. These are the pick of the early week, with clean conditions that will make the most of the point break.
Now, hold onto your boards, because Thursday the 23rd is a potential standout for experts only. We’re looking at an 12ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a staggering 5543 (very strong). The wind is glassy offshore in the morning, but at this size, it’s a serious beast. This is a point break, so it’ll handle the long-period groundswell well, but if you’re not an experienced surfer, stay on the beach.
Friday the 24th sees the swell drop but a new, very long-period 16-second SSW swell rolls in by the afternoon, hitting 6ft. The morning is cleaner with a 4ft SSW swell and light winds. Saturday the 25th morning is another gem: glassy, 7ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 2057. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. The afternoon gets blown out by a 30 km/h cross-shore, so get out early.
The following week has some serious potential, but it’s further out so keep an eye on it. Monday the 27th is a monster: a 16ft S swell with a 14-second period and an insane 8554 combined energy. That’s a massive, powerful swell, but it’s cross-shore, so it’s going to be a lumpy, challenging paddle. Tuesday the 28th is still big at 10ft, but with a cleaner cross-offshore wind in the morning. Wednesday the 29th is a smaller, glassy 8ft ESE swell, which could be a great session for experienced surfers. The end of the month and into August 1st looks smaller, with a glassy 8ft SSW swell on the 31st, and a clean 5ft S swell on the 1st.
The standout pick: For the most reliable, clean, and powerful session, I’m calling out Saturday the 25th morning at Cintsa West. That 7ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period under glassy skies is a recipe for some long, clean walls. It’s a point break, so the long period will really shine, but don’t expect to have it to yourself – crowds are sometimes a factor here. If you can handle the cold, that’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SE 11 | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1408 | 671 | 286 | 469 | 467 | 442 | 240 | 360 | 1949 | 435 | 661 | 528 | 382 | 292 | 326 | 468 | 356 | 1214 | 3933 | 2400 | 572 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | 7:24AM1.25m | 7:57PM1.36m | 8:06AM1.13m | 8:42PM1.23m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:46PM1.13m | 10:35AM0.96m | 11:25PM1.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:11AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.45m | 3:03AM0.57m | 3:00PM0.58m | 4:20AM0.64m | 4:26PM0.66m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 23 | 24 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SE 11 | SSW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
491 | 671 | 286 | 469 | 467 | 442 | 240 | 360 | 934 | 435 | 661 | 528 | 382 | 292 | 326 | 468 | 253 | 68 | 1556 | 1211 | 572 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 12 | SW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 16 | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
162 | 125 | 125 | 94 | 94 | 88 | 182 | 71 | 396 | 148 | 167 | 87 | 183 | 292 | 86 | 115 | 79 | 26 | 47 | 33 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 14 | E 10 | S 16 | E 10 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 4 | SW 10 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 20 |
— | — | 69 | 127 | 5 | 69 | 160 | 47 | 34 | 106 | 14 | 6 | 27 | 7 | 224 | 142 | 101 | — | 7 | 8 | 78 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | — | W 3 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | — |
1408 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 202 | 1949 | — | — | 13 | 9 | 20 | — | 4 | 356 | 1214 | 3933 | 2400 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 139 | 0 | 297 | 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.










