Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
18.0° C
1.8° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,329 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 20th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same charts but in feet and miles per hour. There’s only one spot in the mix for the next 16 days: Cintsa West. It’s a point break, exposed to the swell, but it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to be picky. There’s a big gap of nothing early on, so don’t get your hopes up for every session.

Starting Thursday 20 August, the morning has a small 3 ft SSW swell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 849, but the wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’s a bit messy. Not worth it. The afternoon jumps to 8 ft from the SSW, but with a cross-on breeze and the energy hitting 2350, it’s choppy and no good.

Friday 21 August morning is the standout for the early part. We’ve got a 5 ft SSW swell, 12-second period, and the wind is glassy – a light ESE breeze at 3 mph. The energy is a solid 610, and it’s going to be clean. The swell direction is from the SSE, which is close to the optimum SE direction for this break. This is your best chance for good waves without crowds. The afternoon falls apart with a cross-onshore wind.

Saturday 22 August is a waste. The morning has a clean 3 ft S swell, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph WSW cross-off, making it tricky. The afternoon is even worse: a 8 ft SSW swell at a short period of 7 seconds and a strong 22 mph cross-shore wind. That’s lumpy junk.

Sunday 23 August through Monday 25 August is mostly marginal. Swell is 4 ft to 5 ft from the S and SSW, with periods of 10 to 16 seconds. The wind is light to gentle, but cross-on or cross-shore, so you get small ripples and chop. The energy stays moderate, peaking at 642 on Monday afternoon. Nothing special.

Now, the long-range stuff. Tuesday 25 August morning shows a 5 ft SSW swell with a very long period of 17 seconds, and the energy is strong at 1629. The wind is light from the SW, a light cross-shore. That’s a groundswell with serious power. But for a point break, that long period can make the waves break straight and hard to read. Still promising. The afternoon is similar with a 6 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, but the wind goes onshore from the SE. This one could be a standout if the wind behaves, but it’s a week out, so don’t bet the house.

The next few days, 26 August to 28 August, are mostly poor. Wednesday 26 August has a dirty cross-shore wind from the NE at 16 to 19 mph, with a 4 ft S swell. The energy is moderate to high, but conditions are lumpy. Thursday 27 August morning is a gem: a 4 ft S swell, 12-second period, with a light offshore wind from the WNW at 6 mph. The energy is 808, and it’s clean. That’s a solid window. The afternoon goes back to a cross-shore breeze.

Friday 28 August has a 4 ft ENE swell in the morning, but the wind is cross-on from the E. The afternoon has a bigger 7 ft ENE swell, 10-second period, with a light cross-on breeze. The energy is strong at 1423, but the direction (ENE) is not ideal for this break.

The final weekend, 29 August to 30 August, is a mix. Saturday 29 August has a 6 ft SSW swell, period 9-10 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 16-19 mph from the SW, creating a lumpy cross-chop. Sunday 30 August morning is the best of the late period: a 5 ft S swell, 10-second period, with a light offshore wind from the W at 3 mph. The energy is 686, and it’s clean. That’s worth a paddle.

The last few days, 31 August to 4 September, are mostly marginal or poor. The only bright spot is Tuesday 1 September morning, with a 5 ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-off shore wind from the N at 6 mph. The energy is 783, and it’s clean. The afternoon gets a bigger 8 ft SSW swell, 13-second period, but the wind is cross-shore from the SW. That’s a big wave for experts only.

The two real standouts are Friday 21 August morning for the glassy conditions and clean 5 ft swell, and the long-range Tuesday 25 August morning for the powerful groundswell, if you can handle the period. Don’t expect much else.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the SW by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
4
3
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
3
2
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSW
8
2.4
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
12
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.8
S
14
2.1
SSW
7
1.9
SSW
9
1.5
SSW
10
1.5
S
11
1.4
SSW
12
1.2
S
13
1
S
12
0.7
S
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
18
1.4
SSW
16
1.2
S
14
1.1
S
13
1.1
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
278
2329
1073
598
480
341
264
401
516
441
555
589
506
289
239
911
1081
917
553
414
344
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
10
S
5
NW
5
ESE
15
E
15
NE
30
SW
35
SW
25
WSW
15
SW
10
S
5
N
10
SSW
15
SSW
10
WNW
5
E
20
ENE
20
NE
20
NE
20
NE
10
N
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:10PM1.08m
8:39AM0.93m
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
Low Tide
1:44PM0.58m
2:39AM0.67m
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
 mm
Temp °C
19
19
17
18
19
17
23
23
17
19
19
16
21
21
16
20
20
17
25
28
26
Feels °C
16
16
18
18
18
16
18
17
12
17
17
16
19
19
15
19
18
14
21
25
22
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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