
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with 1,875 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 11AM. 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+) | 11PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Cintsa West over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. Thursday and Friday offer nothing we want to talk about – messy cross-shore winds and poor surf conditions. Saturday morning on the 8th of August is the first real glimmer of hope. We’ve got a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a long 14 second period and a light offshore wind. The water is sitting at 64°F, which is a solid 4°F colder than usual for this time of year, so that’s notably chilly. The combined energy is moderate (700). It’s just a morning window though, as the wind swings onshore in the afternoon.
The standout session for this whole forecast looks like Saturday morning of the 15th of August. Cintsa West (Eastern Cape) is a point break that’s inconsistent, so you have to be patient, but it’s well worth it. We’ve got a 5ft E swell, with a light cross-offshore wind and clean conditions. The wave energy is on the lower side (388), but with the right wind and a bit of luck, this is your best bet for a quality session. Expect crowds to be possible.
Sunday the 16th of August holds a bigger 8ft ENE swell, but that’s pushing into the “too big for beginners” range, and the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. Tuesday morning the 18th of August is another chance for a clean session, with 5ft E swell and glassy conditions. That’s a solid moderate wave energy (436) and the wind is dead calm, so it’ll be a real pleasure to get out there.
The long-range stuff around the 19th and 20th of August is smaller and more marginal. Wednesday morning the 19th has glassy conditions on a 3ft E swell, but the energy is weak (262). It’s a nice paddle but not a standout.
So, to wrap it up: the first few days are a wash. Hang tight for Saturday morning the 8th if you’re desperate, but the real highlight is Saturday morning the 15th of August. Don’t sleep on Tuesday the 18th either – that glassy morning is a treat.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
724 | 538 | 379 | 367 | 590 | 565 | 384 | 357 | 971 | 1408 | 855 | 1875 | 1081 | 392 | 975 | 764 | 352 | 782 | 782 | 766 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:56PM1.26m | 9:39AM1.03m | 10:42PM1.18m | 11:55AM1.04m | 00:36AM1.23m | 1:27PM1.18m | 1:48AM1.35m | 2:24PM1.36m | 2:40AM1.48m | 3:09PM1.52m | 3:22AM1.58m | 3:48PM1.66m | 4:00AM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19PM0.45m | 3:32AM0.54m | 3:46PM0.56m | 5:31AM0.56m | 5:55PM0.57m | 7:11AM0.45m | 7:30PM0.45m | 8:11AM0.30m | 8:30PM0.30m | 8:56AM0.16m | 9:16PM0.17m | 9:34AM0.04m | 9:56PM0.08m | |||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 15 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 |
724 | 538 | 379 | 367 | 590 | 565 | 384 | 357 | 68 | 64 | 43 | 17 | 1081 | 392 | 975 | 764 | 277 | 608 | 782 | 725 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | ESE 10 | — | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 |
90 | 90 | 64 | 61 | 62 | 83 | 58 | 90 | 14 | 14 | — | 42 | 176 | 303 | 430 | — | 341 | 158 | 149 | 280 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 7 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 14 | E 10 | — | E 9 | SW 23 | SSW 21 | S 10 |
— | 6 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 43 | 44 | 14 | 14 | — | — | 69 | 4 | 150 | 47 | — | 57 | 140 | 173 | 32 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 5 | — | SSW 4 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | — | E 9 |
— | — | — | 8 | 77 | — | 13 | 46 | 971 | 1408 | 855 | 1875 | — | — | — | 378 | 352 | 782 | — | 766 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 197 | 0 | 0 | 512 | 123 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 105 | 2803 | 461 | 323 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 380 | 213 | 197 | 512 | 213 |
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.











