Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
18.2° C
2.0° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, S swell with 1,422 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 13th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 13th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 18th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a 16-day window for Cintsa West, and while it’s got a bit of a slow start, the waiting is worth it. The first few days are fiddly, but from the middle of next week, we’re looking at some proper juice.

The first chance to get wet is Monday 13 July in the afternoon. It’s not much to write home about – a 6ft swell from the east with a short 8-second period, and a cross breeze from the ENE at 12 mph. The water’s sitting at 65°, which is a fair bit colder than normal for this time of year (anomaly of -4°). The combined energy is weak (533), so it’s a scratchy session at best.

Tuesday 14 July is where it starts to get interesting. The morning is glassy – dead calm, zero wind. The swell has bumped up to 6ft from the east, period 9 seconds, and the energy is moderate (593). This is a clean, fun wave for intermediates. The afternoon stays glassy with a light SE breeze, same swell. This is the first real standout: clean, consistent, and no crowds to worry about.

Wednesday 15 July turns a bit messy. Cross-shore and cross-on winds, swell dropping to 5ft, and the energy falls off. It’s not a write-off, but you’ll be working for it.

Thursday 16 July morning is a beauty. Glassy again, 4ft from the east with a longer 11-second period, and the energy is moderate (661). Clean, fun waves with a bit more shape. The afternoon gets a cross-on breeze and a 4ft swell from the SSW, but the period jumps to 14 seconds, giving it more push (748 energy). Still, the wind makes it average.

Friday 17 July is a no-go – cross-shore winds and a dropping swell, small and weak.

Saturday 18 July is the big one. This is the standout of the whole 16 days. The morning is glassy, with a 7ft swell from the south, period 13 seconds, and combined energy is strong (1436). That’s real groundswell – long, powerful lines. It’s only for experienced surfers, and it’s going to be clean as a whistle. The afternoon gets a cross-on breeze from the ENE at 12 mph, which chops it up, but the morning session is the one to circle.

Sunday 19 July morning is clean, with a light offshore from the north, 5ft from the south, period 11 seconds (762 energy). Good waves, not as powerful as Saturday, but still a solid session.

Monday 20 July is back to marginal – cross-on winds and a 6ft swell from the SW with a short 9-second period (956 energy). It’s lumpy.

Tuesday 21 July morning is clean again, light offshore from the north, only 3ft but the period is a massive 18 seconds from the SSW (923 energy). That’s very long period groundswell. It’s small, but the energy is moderate, and it’ll be super clean. A point break like Cintsa West loves this kind of long-period swell – it’ll wrap in nicely.

Wednesday 22 July is cross-shore, 5ft from the SSW with a 16-second period (1417 energy). Strong energy, but the wind makes it marginal.

Thursday 23 July is a big one. The morning shows a 10ft swell from the SW, period 14 seconds, and the combined energy is very strong (4626). That’s a heavy swell – only for experts. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s big. The afternoon is 6ft from the SSW with a 14-second period (1438 energy), but onshore wind.

Friday 24 July is blown out – strong cross-shore winds, small swell, poor conditions.

Saturday 25 July morning is glassy, 3ft from the south, period 11 seconds (419 energy). Small and clean, a good little session.

From there, the swell drops off. Sunday 26 July onwards is mostly small, weak, and windy. The last real chance is Tuesday 28 July morning, with a 3ft east swell, 7-second period, cross-on breeze – marginal at best.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Saturday 18 July morning – glassy, 7ft south swell, 13-second period, strong energy. It’s a power session for experienced surfers. The other standout is Tuesday 14 July morning – glassy, 6ft east swell, clean and fun for intermediates. The long-range stuff on Thursday 23 July is huge but windy; it’s promising but less certain.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
3
3
1
0
3
3
1
2
0
0
2
4
1
3
3
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
E
8
1.7
ESE
8
1.8
E
9
1.8
E
9
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
11
1.1
SSW
14
1.1
E
10
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
1.8
S
14
2
S
13
2
S
12
1.7
S
12
1.6
S
11
1.5
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
1.8
SW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
350
412
529
544
524
432
392
345
317
427
252
196
189
1280
1346
1187
827
640
485
237
505
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
10
N
0
NW
5
SE
10
WNW
15
SW
15
SSW
10
W
5
NE
15
E
10
NW
15
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
5
E
20
ENE
25
NE
5
N
10
SW
15
WSW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
3:12PM1.46m
3:29AM1.59m
3:59PM1.57m
4:13AM1.62m
4:42PM1.64m
4:54AM1.61m
5:23PM1.67m
5:33AM1.56m
6:02PM1.65m
6:10AM1.47m
6:40PM1.58m
6:47AM1.37m
7:18PM1.48m
7:24AM1.25m
Low Tide
9:16PM0.19m
9:45AM0.07m
10:04PM0.13m
10:26AM0.02m
10:49PM0.10m
11:05AM0.00m
11:30PM0.13m
11:42AM0.03m
00:11AM0.19m
12:17PM0.10m
00:50AM0.28m
12:52PM0.20m
1:29AM0.38m
1:28PM0.32m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:21
 mm
1
Temp °C
20
16
21
22
17
18
20
16
19
20
17
20
21
17
16
17
17
24
23
17
19
Feels °C
18
14
20
20
16
16
18
15
18
18
16
16
16
14
15
15
14
22
21
15
18
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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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