Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
20.1° C
0.2° 

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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 10,242 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 5.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 1st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 9th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 9th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next 16 days for Cintsa West. The set-up here is a point break, exposed to the south-east. The water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

The first swell we see rolls in on Saturday, August 1st. It’s a 6ft south-east swell, period 9 seconds, with a cross-shore breeze from the ENE at 12 mph. The combined energy is moderate (653). Does it look good? No. It’s cross-shore, a bit lumpy, and honestly, you’re better off waiting.

Sunday, August 2nd sees a solid rise in size. We’re looking at 8ft from the ESE, with a much better period of 12 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. Energy jumps right up to strong (1604). But the wind is still cross-shore, ENE at 9 mph. It’s a big swell, meaning it’s getting into the expert-only zone at over 8ft, but it’s also a bit messed up by the wind. You’ll have to pick your moment.

Monday, August 3rd brings a drop to 7ft, still ESE, period 11 seconds. Energy is still solid (1007). The wind is light from the NE, just a cross-shore breeze. It’s a bit better than Sunday, but still not clean. The afternoon goes back to lumpy.

Tuesday, August 4th morning is the first real standout. Light wind from the NNE, a cross-offshore breeze, and a 5ft ESE swell with a 10-second period. The wave state is clean. Energy is moderate (482). For an intermediate surfer, this is the session to aim for. The wind is light, the swell is manageable, and the point should line up well. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

The surf stays small and clean-ish through Wednesday morning, with a 4ft E swell, but then it drops off.

From Thursday, August 6th through to about Saturday, August 15th, it gets a bit messy. Swell direction swings to the SSW, with periods ranging from 14 to 16 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, which is good for energy at a point break, but the wind is moderate to fresh from the SW and WSW, often cross-shore. The energy is moderate to strong (901 to 1135), but the wind keeps it tricky. The 19 mph SW winds on the 8th and 12th will make it lumpy. This is a period where the point might be better for a kite than a paddle.

Monday, August 10th afternoon sees a big spike: 8ft from the ESE, 10 seconds, energy over 2000 (2021). That is a powerful swell. But it’s cross-shore, NE wind at 9 mph. Big, powerful, and a bit messy. For experts only.

Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th are a write-off. Fresh SW winds, small weak swell, poor conditions.

Finally, Saturday, August 15th morning offers a moment of calm. A glassy 2ft E swell with a 9-second period. Energy is weak (127). The wind is glassy, slight air. It’s surfable, but tiny. Good for a longboard or a beginner.

The standout window is definitely Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th mornings. The best set-up is the Tuesday morning with a clean 5ft E swell and light offshore breeze. For a more powerful, though wind-affected, option, the Monday, August 10th afternoon swell is a beast for the brave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
4
3
2
3
1
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
3
1
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
12
2.5
ESE
12
2.2
ESE
11
2
ESE
11
1.8
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.6
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.4
E
10
0.7
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
1.5
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
1.1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
616
1622
1660
1141
887
703
551
433
530
500
326
369
199
249
801
461
339
485
366
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
20
NE
20
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
15
NE
10
NNW
10
NNE
15
NE
20
WSW
10
SW
15
SSW
10
WSW
20
NE
30
NE
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:36AM1.52m
6:01PM1.61m
6:07AM1.46m
6:32PM1.56m
6:41AM1.38m
7:09PM1.49m
7:21AM1.27m
7:53PM1.38m
8:12AM1.14m
8:56PM1.26m
9:39AM1.03m
10:42PM1.18m
Low Tide
11:36PM0.17m
11:43AM0.07m
00:08AM0.20m
12:13PM0.13m
00:43AM0.25m
12:47PM0.21m
1:24AM0.34m
1:26PM0.32m
2:15AM0.44m
2:19PM0.45m
3:32AM0.54m
3:46PM0.56m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
 mm
1
Temp °C
15
18
20
16
20
22
17
23
25
20
26
29
23
19
20
17
19
20
20
Feels °C
12
14
16
14
17
19
15
20
22
17
22
25
20
18
18
15
16
16
17
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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