Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
17.7° C
2.5° 

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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, S swell with 2,447 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 2.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 24th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 15s
Best Surf 8PM (Fri 24th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 15s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 24th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. I’m only looking at the one spot here, Cintsa West, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is a solid 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a decent steamer.

The first bit of surf that’s worth a mention is on Thursday the 24th of July. Friday morning the 25th looks like the pick of the early days. We’ve got a clean 8 ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds and a cross-offshore wind. The wave energy is pumping at 3380 (moderate to strong), but the forecast is saying it’s marginal. For a point break like Cintsa West, that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, giving you some proper lines. It’s sizeable though, over 8 ft, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out.

Then we get a bit of a lull. Saturday the 26th morning looks glassy with a 4 ft SSW swell and a 14-second period, and the energy is 951 (moderate). The wind is dead calm, so it’ll be clean. But it’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect a wave every minute. The rest of the weekend and into next week is a write-off with poor conditions and messy wind.

There’s a big gap of poor surf from Sunday the 27th right through to the end of the month. The wind is onshore or cross-shore and strong, and the swell is either too big and messy or just poor quality. The 31st of July sees a 10 ft ESE swell, but with a strong cross-shore wind, it’s going to be a lumpy, choppy mess. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle one.

Now, the real standout is a long way off, but it looks promising. On Tuesday the 4th of August, we’ve got a glassy morning with a 4 ft swell from the E, a 10-second period, and a cross-offshore wind. The energy is 584 (moderate). It’s clean. But the afternoon is the one to circle on the calendar. Absolutely glassy, no wind, and a 3 ft swell from the SSW with a 17-second period. The wave energy shoots up to 1262 (moderate to strong). The forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That long period will make it bend beautifully around the point, giving you long, clean walls. It’s a small swell, but with that period and no wind, it’ll be world-class. Just be aware, it’s a long-range call, so don’t book the week off just yet.

The following days, the 5th and 6th of August, have some solid SSW groundswell with periods up to 21 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit chopped up. Still, there’s energy there.

So, bottom line: the best bet is Friday morning the 25th for the big, clean waves for experts, and the real gem is Tuesday afternoon the 4th of August for that glassy, long-period point break perfection. The rest is a bit of a wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
4
3
4
3
1
3
1
1
4
0
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
12
3
SSW
11
2.5
SSW
12
2.2
S
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
0.7
S
16
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
14
2.3
S
9
2.5
SSE
8
2.2
SE
8
2.5
SE
8
2.5
SE
9
2.1
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
447
418
2415
1747
2447
936
651
485
523
379
254
476
289
192
366
780
885
624
868
895
691
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
20
SW
25
WSW
20
WSW
10
SSW
10
NNW
0
E
10
ENE
15
NNE
20
NE
25
NE
10
N
20
SW
25
SW
10
SW
15
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
20
E
25
E
30
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:35AM0.96m
11:25PM1.08m
12:34PM0.98m
00:57AM1.11m
1:46PM1.07m
1:55AM1.20m
2:31PM1.18m
2:37AM1.30m
3:06PM1.29m
3:11AM1.39m
3:37PM1.39m
3:42AM1.46m
4:07PM1.48m
4:11AM1.52m
Low Tide
4:26PM0.66m
6:10AM0.64m
6:23PM0.66m
7:31AM0.56m
7:40PM0.58m
8:19AM0.45m
8:27PM0.49m
8:55AM0.35m
9:04PM0.39m
9:25AM0.25m
9:36PM0.31m
9:54AM0.16m
10:07PM0.24m
cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
7:01
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
 mm
5
2
1
1
3
10
11
4
2
Temp °C
19
20
16
16
17
15
17
18
15
19
23
18
22
22
19
17
16
16
17
17
17
Feels °C
17
17
11
12
13
14
16
16
13
14
18
14
17
18
18
15
13
13
13
12
12
  • 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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