Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 4,554 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for Cintsa West. It’s a mixed bag, with some clean windows and a couple of proper thumpers, but you’re gonna have to pick your moments.
First up, the region’s water temp sits at just under 66°, which is right around the norm for this time of year – nothing wild there. The opening days are a bit ordinary. Wednesday and Thursday are riddled with lumpy cross-shore winds and junky swell, nothing worth paddling out for. We’re looking at a few days of waiting it out.
The first real glimmer comes Friday morning with a cleaner 5ft ENE swell, but it’s not big enough to get excited about. Saturday morning shapes up better with a 8ft ENE swell, clean with a light offshore (NNE) breeze. That’s a decent session for the experienced crew, smaller on the sets and not too crowded. But the highlight of this first week is the Sunday the 5th of September. That morning, the ocean cleans right up. We’re talking 12ft of ESE swell, light cross-offshore wind, and a massive amount of energy – the combined energy reading is (6400). This is the standout. It’s big, it’s clean, and it’s only for experts; 12ft is serious water. There’s a bit of a lull after that, with the swell dropping back to the 5ft to 7ft range and more onshore breezes, so don’t expect much through the middle of the week. The long-range stuff around the 8th and 9th looks messy and small, so we’ll call that a wash.
So, for the whole window, the standout is undoubtedly the 5th morning – that’s your one. Saturday the 29th is a solid backup for the crew who want a cleaner but smaller wave. The rest is mostly a waiting game. This spot, being a point break, will handle the long-period swell well, but it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to be there when it’s on.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | E 10 | S 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3734 | 4039 | 1866 | 871 | 867 | 1342 | 958 | 1000 | 1273 | 1367 | 816 | 509 | 256 | 825 | 560 | 133 | 149 | 125 | 94 | 165 | 1358 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:15PM1.47m | 3:20AM1.50m | 3:41PM1.58m | 3:47AM1.57m | 4:07PM1.67m | 4:14AM1.61m | 4:34PM1.73m | 4:42AM1.62m | 5:01PM1.74m | 5:11AM1.59m | 5:30PM1.71m | 5:41AM1.52m | 6:01PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:03AM0.21m | 9:17PM0.25m | 9:28AM0.11m | 9:45PM0.15m | 9:53AM0.03m | 10:12PM0.08m | 10:19AM-0.01m | 10:41PM0.05m | 10:46AM-0.02m | 11:10PM0.05m | 11:14AM0.01m | 11:40PM0.09m | 11:44AM0.08m | 00:13AM0.18m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 33 | 33 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 28 | 23 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 27 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 3734 | 4039 | 1866 | 871 | 787 | 742 | 589 | 561 | 640 | 740 | 133 | 509 | 250 | 170 | 256 | 133 | 149 | 125 | 94 | 165 | 1358 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 7 | E 6 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 192 | 421 | 575 | 403 | 322 | 260 | 228 | 8 | 62 | 39 | 14 | 174 | 127 | 122 | 73 | 26 | 113 | 103 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SSE 14 | — | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 59 | — | — | 93 | 125 | 121 | 7 | 15 | 18 | — | 10 | 22 | 31 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 9 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | — | — | NE 3 | — | SSW 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 98 | 431 | 867 | 1342 | 958 | 1000 | 1273 | 1367 | 816 | 22 | 256 | 825 | 560 | — | — | 2 | — | 41 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 432 | 431 | 271 | 295 | 78 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 213 | 461 | 461 | 0 | 2 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 168 | 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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