Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, S swell with 2,839 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with S 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 (Aug 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming up at Cintsa West.
We've got a bit of a slow start, but don't write it off just yet. The real standout is going to be Friday the 28th of August through the weekend, with some solid, clean swell rolling in. The water is sitting at 65° – a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you might want a slightly thicker wetsuit if you've got one.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Friday the 21st has a small 4ft SSW swell, but the wind is onshore and the overall energy is weak (506). Not worth paddling out for. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see a jump in size, up to 8ft, but the wind is cross-shore and messy, creating a real chop. The energy is moderate (up to 662) but the quality is poor. Monday the 24th drops right back to tiny 3ft – forget it.
We get a bit of promise on Tuesday the 25th morning with a 5ft SSW groundswell at a very long 15 seconds. The energy is strong (1085), but the wind is still cross-onshore, which messes with the shape. It's a marginal call, but you might find a few. Wednesday the 26th has a similar story, with a bigger 6ft swell and strong energy (1796), but again, the wind is not cooperating.
Now, Friday the 28th of August afternoon is where it gets interesting. The wind is expected to go glassy, and we'll see a 6ft easterly swell with a moderate 10-second period. The energy is strong (1133). This is for experienced surfers, but it will be clean. Then Saturday the 29th looks even better: a 7ft to 8ft ENE swell, with a clean cross-offshore wind, and strong energy up to 1664. That's your best window. Sunday the 30th is still rideable with a 7ft SSW swell and clean cross-offshore wind, but the wind is pumping at 22 mph, so it'll be a bit of a handful.
The following week gets messy again. By Tuesday the 1st of September, the wind is up and the swell is small or junk. But then Wednesday the 2nd of September morning looks like another little gem: a 7ft ENE swell with a light cross-offshore breeze and strong energy (1498). That's clean and will have some push.
The forecast then runs out of steam towards the 5th of September, with a big 12ft ENE swell on Saturday morning, but it's cross-shore and messy. That's for experts only, and even then, it's a gamble.
So, to sum it up: the best bet is the period from Friday the 28th of August afternoon through Saturday the 29th. The swell is solid, the wind is clean, and the energy is pumping. Get out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 494 | 397 | 200 | 645 | 715 | 1365 | 467 | 324 | 127 | 213 | 666 | 1077 | 886 | 1003 | 1787 | 2722 | 1109 | 728 | 1149 | 1437 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:07PM0.97m | 12:31PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:46PM1.05m | 1:49AM1.16m | 2:21PM1.19m | 2:24AM1.29m | 2:49PM1.34m | 2:53AM1.40m | 3:15PM1.47m | 3:20AM1.50m | 3:41PM1.58m | 3:47AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:48PM0.72m | 5:33AM0.73m | 6:24PM0.74m | 7:32AM0.61m | 7:43PM0.62m | 8:09AM0.47m | 8:20PM0.49m | 8:37AM0.33m | 8:50PM0.36m | 9:03AM0.21m | 9:17PM0.25m | 9:28AM0.11m | 9:45PM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 494 | 397 | 198 | 17 | 364 | 471 | 467 | 324 | 127 | 213 | 666 | 1077 | 886 | 1003 | 1787 | 2722 | 1109 | 646 | 1149 | 773 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | S 14 | — | SSW 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 11 | S 16 |
| kJ | 12 | 12 | 200 | — | 240 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 107 | 44 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | 432 | 728 | 311 | 1380 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | — | E 8 | — | — | SE 12 | SSE 12 | E 10 | SSE 12 | S 11 | SE 13 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 38 | — | 5 | — | — | 6 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 3 | SW 2 | SSW 7 | SW 9 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 2 | 645 | 715 | 1365 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 72 | 245 | 760 | 1437 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 431 | 180 | 28 | 456 | 1 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 158 | 431 | 431 | 295 | 323 | 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.
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