
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SW swell with 2,959 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee, pull up a stool. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up for us. We’re focusing on Cintsa West, a point break that’s got some serious potential, but it’s a bit of a temperamental beast – it’s inconsistent, so when it lines up, you gotta be on it. The water’s sitting at a noticeable 65°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so a good springsuit is the call.
The forecast kicks off with a real surprise. Tuesday the 14th is looking absolutely magic. We’ve got clean, glassy conditions – wind is dead calm or a whisper from the NE at 3 mph. The swell is a solid 6ft to 6ft from the ESE, with a moderate energy punch (544 and 611). That’s a fantastic size for intermediate surfers, and the glass makes it perfect. This is the standout of the whole run, no question.
Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th are a mixed bag. Wednesday sees a cross-shore wind pick up and the waves drop a touch to 5ft, but Thursday morning brings back the glass with a cleaner, long-period 4ft E swell (695 energy). That long period (11 secs) will mean better shaped waves, but longer waits between sets. Thursday afternoon gets a light cross-onshore ripple.
Friday the 17th is a write-off with lumpy cross-shore wind on a dropping swell. Saturday the 18th sees a big jump in size – 7ft from the S – but the wind is up (12-16 mph) and blowing cross, making it a messy, choppy affair. Not a good look for a point break.
Sunday the 19th is average, with cross-shore wind and fading swell.
Now, mark your calendar for Monday the 21st of July. This is the second true standout, but for experts only. We’ve got a thumping 10ft SW groundswell rolling in – that’s a huge energy value of 3952 – and it’s glassy in the morning with a light E breeze. That’s proper powerful, long-period (11 sec) swell. For a point break, this could be epic, but at that size it’s strictly for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets messy with a stronger cross-shore.
The rest of that week is a bit of a shrug. Tuesday the 22nd is clean enough with a 5ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but the energy is moderate. Wednesday and Thursday are bumpy with cross-shore winds. Friday the 24th is blown out with onshore wind and rain.
The final stretch into the end of July is quiet and inconsistent. There’s a moment on Tuesday the 29th that’s worth a mention – 3ft SSW groundswell from a very long 16-second period, with glassy conditions and 675 energy. That’s the kind of long, clean line that point breaks are made for. But it’s small, so don’t expect a big day. After that, the wind gets messy again and the swell drops right off.
So, the bottom line: get out for Tuesday the 14th for the cleanest, fun-size waves. Keep Monday the 21st in mind if you’ve got the skills and the nerve for a bigger, more powerful session. The rest is mostly a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
474 | 565 | 524 | 441 | 392 | 346 | 387 | 323 | 252 | 269 | 350 | 486 | 1198 | 1238 | 723 | 572 | 436 | 853 | 2590 | 1104 | 778 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | off |
High Tide | 3:59PM1.57m | 4:13AM1.62m | 4:42PM1.64m | 4:54AM1.61m | 5:23PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.56m | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | 7:24AM1.25m | 7:57PM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:45AM0.07m | 10:04PM0.13m | 10:26AM0.02m | 10:49PM0.10m | 11:05AM0.00m | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:11AM0.48m | |||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
474 | 565 | 524 | 441 | 392 | 345 | 387 | 323 | 252 | 196 | 350 | 486 | 1198 | 1238 | 723 | 572 | 436 | 216 | 1242 | 1104 | 778 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | E 10 | S 13 | E 10 | SW 10 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
70 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 122 | 180 | 265 | 217 | 269 | 156 | 225 | 90 | 82 | 148 | 124 | 106 | 28 | 48 | 104 | 73 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 9 | S 10 | — | — | E 10 | — | — | SSE 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | — | SE 12 | E 10 | E 10 |
— | 20 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 50 | 128 | 68 | 2 | — | — | 123 | — | — | 233 | 17 | 32 | — | 72 | 7 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 8 | — | — | — | SW 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | E 5 | ENE 7 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | — | — |
— | — | — | 7 | 17 | 346 | — | — | — | 18 | 93 | — | — | 115 | 223 | — | 171 | 853 | 2590 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 431 | 278 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 431 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










