Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
15.1°C
4.6° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ENE swell with 2,546 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Mon 14th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 5PM (Mon 14th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 14th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Cintsa West over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a proper window of good stuff if you’re patient.

The outlook starts off pretty bleak, to be honest. For the first few days, the wind is a mess – cross-shore and cross-onshore junk. The swell is weak or badly aligned, and the water is sitting at a frigid 59°, which is 8° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a very unusual chill, so you’ll want a thick suit. The combined swell energy is weak at best, like the 281 (on Friday morning) or 293 (Saturday morning), so don’t expect any power.

Then, things change. Monday the 14th of September is the standout. Monday morning is still a bit lumpy with 8ft swell and a cross-chop, but by Monday afternoon, the magic happens. The wind switches to a light NNE breeze at just 3 mph, a cross-offshore that cleans things up beautifully. You’ve got a solid 12ft of east swell, with a nice 10-second period. The combined energy hits a whopping 3638 – that’s strong, powerful surf. This is only for experienced surfers; at that size, it’s not a beginner’s game. But for those who can handle it, the point should be offering some proper walls.

After that high, the week eases down. Tuesday the 15th drops to 6ft east swell, still with decent period, but the wind gets a bit cross-on, keeping the quality marginal. Wednesday and Thursday are mostly chopped out again with moderate to fresh winds. The combined energies drop back to the 400-500 range.

The second week is less certain, but there’s a promising tail end. You’ll notice a gap of poor or marginal days through the 19th to the 24th, where the wind is mostly onshore or strong and lumpy. But then look at Friday the 25th of September. The afternoon session looks unreal. The wind goes completely glassy – 0 mph from the SSW – and it’s clean. The swell is a beefy 8ft from the east-northeast with a 9-second period. That’s a long-period groundswell, which at a point break like Cintsa West should set up nicely, though it means the sets will be further apart. The energy is still very strong at 1699. Again, this is for experienced surfers only. The only caveat is that it’s an inconsistent wave here, so when it’s good, it’s worth the wait, but don’t expect a conveyor belt.

So, the bottom line: if you’re keen, pencil in Monday afternoon the 14th and Friday afternoon the 25th. Those are your best chances for clean, powerful surf. The rest of the window is average at best, with tricky winds and smaller, weaker swell.

Stay warm and keep an eye on that wind.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
5
4
2
2
3
1
0
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
1
SSE
7
1
SSE
8
1.4
E
6
0.9
SSW
18
2.3
ESE
8
2.5
ESE
9
3
E
9
2.5
E
9
3.5
E
10
2.1
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
0.9
E
10
1.4
S
7
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
131
96
96
107
148
565
705
981
1342
1306
2120
937
567
603
377
327
239
202
161
206
297
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
ESE
20
NE
15
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
15
E
20
ENE
25
NE
5
NNE
15
WSW
10
SSW
5
ESE
10
NNE
20
SSW
25
SW
15
WSW
20
SW
25
SW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:59PM1.78m
4:11AM1.64m
4:28PM1.78m
4:40AM1.62m
4:56PM1.73m
5:07AM1.56m
5:23PM1.64m
5:34AM1.47m
5:48PM1.52m
5:59AM1.36m
6:12PM1.38m
6:24AM1.23m
6:37PM1.23m
Low Tide
9:44AM-0.03m
10:09PM0.00m
10:13AM-0.04m
10:38PM0.01m
10:41AM-0.01m
11:05PM0.06m
11:08AM0.06m
11:31PM0.14m
11:34AM0.17m
11:56PM0.25m
12:00PM0.29m
00:22AM0.37m
12:25PM0.43m
00:50AM0.51m
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
5:58
5:59
6:00
 mm
3
2
3
2
4
1
1
13
4
6
Temp °C
20
20
18
22
21
20
20
20
20
23
24
22
24
23
19
20
19
15
16
17
13
Feels °C
19
20
18
21
20
19
19
20
20
21
23
20
22
20
18
18
16
11
12
11
7
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  • 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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