Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,131 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's give you the same story in feet and miles per hour.
This is a tricky one. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a mixed bag with a lot of junky, wind-affected swell. We're looking at a point break that can be a gem, but it's inconsistent, so you've gotta be patient and pick your moments. The water's sitting at 65°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you might want a thicker spring suit.
The first real chance to get wet doesn't come until Tuesday the 25th. The morning kicks off with a solid 5ft SSW swell pushing in, and the combined energy is strong at 1099. The wind is light and cross-shore, but the call is marginal. The afternoon holds similar energy at 1235 but the swell drops a touch.
Wednesday the 26th brings a big, powerful 8ft S groundswell, with a very long 17-second period. The energy is huge at 3691. This is expert territory for sure – too big for beginners. The wind is light cross-onshore in the morning, which is a bit of a shame. This long period, powerful swell will be better at a reef or point, but the wind might make it a bit bumpy. It's a promising but less certain standout, given the wind.
Then we get a true standout. Friday morning the 28th. It's glassy. The wind is practically nothing, a slight air from the ENE. You've got a 5ft S swell with a solid 12-second period, and the energy is strong at 1098. This is the best window for experienced surfers. The conditions are clean, the waves will have shape, and with the light wind, it'll be a dream. The break is inconsistent, so you might have to wait for sets, but the payoff will be worth it.
Saturday the 29th morning is also a cracker. A clean 8ft ENE swell, with a light cross-offshore wind from the NNE. That's another excellent session for the crew who can handle the size. The energy is very strong at 1744. Sunday the 30th morning follows with a 7ft SSW swell, also clean with a light cross-offshore wind. The energy is 1096. Another good one.
After that, it gets messy again. The wind picks up and the swell drops off. There's a final chance on Friday the 4th of September morning with an 8ft SSW swell and light wind, but it's a cross-shore, so not as clean as the earlier windows.
Look, the standout is Friday morning the 28th. That glassy morning with the S swell is the one to circle. The 26th has the power but the wind is a letdown. The 29th and 30th are also great options. The rest of the window is mostly a write-off unless you're desperate for a paddle. The break is inconsistent, so when it's on, it's on, but you'll be waiting for it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | SW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
200 | 652 | 1303 | 540 | 435 | 296 | 88 | 195 | 581 | 1088 | 633 | 1382 | 3691 | 4131 | 1708 | 885 | 816 | 1522 | 574 | 565 | 573 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:41PM1.58m | 3:47AM1.57m | 4:07PM1.67m | 4:14AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:28AM0.11m | 9:45PM0.15m | 9:53AM0.03m | 10:12PM0.08m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 27 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | ENE 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 |
198 | 17 | 672 | 540 | 435 | 296 | 88 | 195 | 581 | 1088 | 633 | 1382 | 3691 | 4131 | 1708 | 885 | 667 | 808 | 450 | 361 | 281 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | E 9 | S 17 | E 9 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
200 | — | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 63 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 596 | 2 | — | — | — | 422 | 507 | 416 | 574 | 565 | 397 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | — | E 9 | — | SE 12 | SSW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SW 17 | — |
40 | — | — | 7 | — | 6 | 47 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 400 | 74 | 12 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SSW 7 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 |
2 | 652 | 1303 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 91 | 219 | 816 | 1522 | — | — | 573 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 461 | 261 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 336 | 871 | 431 | 456 | 456 | 78 | 0 | 271 | 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.











