Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, ENE swell with 949 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk Cintsa West. This is a classic point break, but it’s inconsistent, so you’ve gotta time it right. Water temp is about 65°F, a bit cooler than normal for the season—nothing crazy, but you’ll feel it.
First few days are a mess. Wednesday the 12th has cross-onshore wind and a sloppy 7ft swell. Not worth it. Thursday and Friday are similar—swell shows up but the wind is cross or cross-shore, ruining any chance of clean waves.
Saturday the 15th morning is the first real look. Glassy conditions, 5ft swell from the east (moderate energy around 274). That’s a clean, fun size for a point break. Crowds are possible, so paddle out early.
Then we hit a quiet spell. Sunday and Monday are marginal, with cross-shore winds and messy surf.
The big one is Saturday the 22nd afternoon. Glassy again, with a 4ft groundswell from the south and a period of 14 seconds—that’s serious long-period energy for this spot. Combined energy is 1108, strong for the size. This is the best session of the entire window for experienced surfers. The point will link up, the waves will have proper power, and no wind to mess it up. Crowds are possible, but the inconsistency keeps it quieter.
Later that week, the swell jumps to 8ft on Tuesday the 25th, but with cross-shore wind and that size, it’s expert-only and not clean.
So, lock in Saturday the 15th morning for a glassy small wave day, and Saturday the 22nd afternoon is the absolute standout—clean, long-period, moderate energy, perfect for the point. That’s your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 588 | 469 | 508 | 265 | 339 | 270 | 444 | 470 | 607 | 229 | 114 | 284 | 102 | 246 | 651 | 333 | 274 | 200 | 153 | 111 | 185 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:48PM1.66m | 4:00AM1.63m | 4:25PM1.74m | 4:35AM1.64m | 4:59PM1.76m | 5:08AM1.60m | 5:31PM1.73m | 5:40AM1.53m | 6:02PM1.64m | 6:09AM1.44m | 6:31PM1.52m | 6:38AM1.32m | 6:59PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:34AM0.04m | 9:56PM0.08m | 10:09AM-0.03m | 10:33PM0.04m | 10:42AM-0.05m | 11:07PM0.05m | 11:13AM-0.02m | 11:40PM0.11m | 11:43AM0.05m | 00:10AM0.19m | 12:12PM0.16m | 00:40AM0.30m | 12:40PM0.29m | 1:10AM0.42m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SE 8 | E 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | E 7 | SSW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 7 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 195 | 191 | 427 | 255 | 339 | 270 | 276 | 93 | 355 | 229 | 114 | 284 | 100 | 246 | 651 | 333 | 274 | 200 | 153 | 111 | 185 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 23 | S 11 | SE 8 | SSW 22 | SSW 16 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 4 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 106 | 151 | 77 | 265 | 138 | 15 | 99 | 2 | 43 | 41 | 89 | 17 | 66 | 14 | 24 | 23 | 41 | 7 | 36 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 21 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 9 | S 11 | S 9 | S 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | E 12 | S 10 | SW 16 | — | — | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 28 | 180 | 106 | 31 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 102 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 40 | 42 | 47 | 42 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | ENE 7 | — | E 7 | — | SW 6 | SSW 6 | — | NE 2 | E 5 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 588 | 469 | 508 | 253 | 269 | 250 | 444 | 470 | 607 | — | — | 118 | — | 138 | — | 69 | 47 | — | 1 | 65 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 380 | 512 | 0 | 325 | 431 | 295 | 78 | 278 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 78 | 43 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 1 |
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.
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