Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
17.8° C
2.1° 

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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,789 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period with ESE 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 (Aug 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 3rd Aug)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 4th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Mon 10th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Cintsa West. This is a point break that needs the right swell, and it’s inconsistent, so when it lines up, you’ve got to be on it. The water is sitting at 64° right now, which is feeling much colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a good steamer.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are showing some chest-high swell around 5ft to 7ft, coming from the ESE, but the wind is cross-shore and the conditions are just marginal. The energy is there (combined energy of 1097 to 682), but it’s not clean, and the tides are questionable. Not worth rushing out.

Wednesday the 5th morning is the first real glimmer of hope. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the East, and we get glassy conditions. The energy is still moderate (392), but that glass makes it all worth it for a quiet, fun session. It’s a small window, though.

Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are a mess. The wind swings around, we get some rain, and the swell goes short and bumpy. Friday afternoon gets a bit wild with a 7ft short-period windswell from the SW, but it’s lumpy and poor. Not your day.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th see a bigger, longer-period groundswell from the SSW start to build. Sunday morning is the standout of this first week. We’ve got 6ft of SSW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The combined energy is strong at 1399. This is a proper point break wave – long-period groundswell like this holds up beautifully on the point, and the longer gaps between sets make paddling out a breeze. Keep in mind crowds are possible here, but for a Sunday morning it’s hard to beat.

The following week, from Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th, the swell sticks around but gets bigger. Monday the 10th has 8ft to 8ft from the S with a 12-13 second period, and the wind stays cross-offshore. The energy is very strong (over 2000). This is getting into expert territory – over 8ft, it’s only for the experienced. Wednesday the 12th morning is a real gem: 7ft from the S, 14-second period, and dead calm glassy conditions. That’s a perfect setup for the point, but it’s a serious wave.

Thursday the 13th to Friday the 14th we get a drop in size, but the quality is still there. Small 2ft to 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 18-19 seconds. The wind is glassy. This is a classic “small but perfect” window – the long period means the sets will have shape, and the point will handle that period beautifully. The energy is moderate (581 to 927), but the conditions are so clean it’s a must for a longboard or a funboard.

The final few days from Saturday the 15th to Tuesday the 18th are small and inconsistent. Saturday the 15th is a bit of a letdown with cross-shore winds and a weak E swell. The best of this last stretch is Monday the 17th morning: 3ft from the SSW with a 14-second period and clean offshore wind from the NW. Glassy again on Tuesday the 18th morning with a tiny 2ft SSW swell. Worth a paddle if you’re jonesing, but nothing to write home about.

Overall, the best on offer is that Sunday the 9th morning for the first week, and Wednesday the 12th morning for the second week. Both are clean, solid groundswells on the point. The second week is a bit more uncertain this far out, but it’s looking promising.

Stay wet, stay salty.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
1
0
3
1
0
4
1
2
1
3
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
ESE
11
1.8
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.6
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
2.1
SW
7
2.3
SW
9
1.1
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
14
1
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
15
2.2
SSW
14
3
SSW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
972
731
551
425
520
440
319
257
371
309
293
461
258
404
842
485
459
336
1256
2005
1640
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
15
NE
10
N
5
N
10
ENE
10
WNW
15
SW
15
S
5
SSE
5
SSW
25
SW
15
W
20
NE
10
NE
15
WSW
20
WSW
35
SW
30
W
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:32PM1.56m
6:41AM1.38m
7:09PM1.49m
7:21AM1.27m
7:53PM1.38m
8:12AM1.14m
8:56PM1.26m
9:39AM1.03m
10:42PM1.18m
11:55AM1.04m
00:36AM1.23m
1:27PM1.18m
1:48AM1.35m
Low Tide
12:13PM0.13m
00:43AM0.25m
12:47PM0.21m
1:24AM0.34m
1:26PM0.32m
2:15AM0.44m
2:19PM0.45m
3:32AM0.54m
3:46PM0.56m
5:31AM0.56m
5:55PM0.57m
7:11AM0.45m
7:30PM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
2
2
1
1
9
Temp °C
20
22
17
22
24
19
24
26
20
20
21
19
18
18
16
19
24
17
18
21
12
Feels °C
17
19
15
18
20
16
21
23
17
19
19
19
19
16
13
16
21
17
14
15
6
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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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