Cintsa West Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.83° S 28.12° E

Cintsa West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 09 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cintsa West sea temperature is
17.9° C
2.3° 

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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with 2,877 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period with S 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 (Jul 09) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 9th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 9th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 10th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 14s

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


Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Cintsa West.

We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but it’s not a straight run of glory. The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some real gems hidden in there if you’re patient. The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is a whopping 4° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a major chill, so make sure you’ve got the 5/4 wetsuit ready.

The real standout, and the one I’m most excited about, is the Saturday morning session on July 11. The wind goes dead glassy with an ESE breeze at just 3 mph, and we’ve got a solid 7 ft groundswell from the south with a 13-second period. The combined energy is moderate-high (1447). That’s a classic setup for a point break like this – clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. The swell direction from the south is bang on the optimum southeast for this spot. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so get in early.

Another beauty to circle is Sunday morning, July 12. It’s glassy again with zero wind, but the swell jumps to 10 ft from the ESE. That’s expert territory, and the period is short (7 seconds), so it’ll be a bit walled up and lumpy. The combined energy is strong (1694). For the brave, it’ll be a wild ride, but this is not for the faint-hearted.

Looking further ahead, the Thursday morning of July 16 looks tidy with a 4 ft swell from the east and a 10-second period, with clean cross-off winds from the NNW. Combined energy is moderate (582). A nice, solid, moderate day for a paddle.

Moving into the second week, the Sunday morning of July 19 is another glassy one with a 5 ft groundswell from the SSW at 13 seconds. Strong combined energy (1567). That’s a serious, clean, long-period swell, perfect for a point break. The Wednesday morning of July 22 is also a clean, cross-off day with a 7 ft swell from the ENE at 9 seconds. That’s a big, powerful swell (1771) and clean winds, but it’s a shorter period, so it’ll be a bit more chunky and better for the bigger boards.

The last few days of the window, July 23 and 24, are glassy and clean with smaller 3 to 4 ft groundswells at 15 seconds. Those are long-period, mellow days for a longboard, but the energy is lower (530-750), so it’ll be a bit more relaxed.

Overall, the prime pick is July 11 morning. Big, clean, and the right direction. July 12 and 19 are also top-tier, but only for the experienced crew. Don’t bother with the afternoons on July 10, 11, or 12 – the wind and tide mess it up. The gap between July 17 and 18 is a write-off with strong winds and poor surf, but the pattern picks up nicely after that.

Stay stoked, and don’t freeze your nuts off.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
2
4
4
2
2
4
1
3
2
3
2
2
1
2
1
1
3
3
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)
2.1
S
14
2.5
S
14
2.5
S
14
2.4
S
13
2.1
S
13
2.1
S
13
2.1
S
12
1.8
S
12
3
ESE
7
1.2
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
1.7
ESE
8
1.5
E
8
1.4
ESE
8
1.6
ESE
9
1.5
E
9
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.3
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1781
2785
2333
2060
1430
1442
1351
933
857
364
338
223
383
305
270
374
397
441
449
353
346
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
10
WSW
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
W
5
ESE
10
ESE
5
E
0
NE
10
ESE
10
NNE
5
W
5
SSE
10
NW
5
WSW
10
SSW
10
WNW
10
SW
5
SSW
10
N
10
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:11PM1.30m
12:02PM1.11m
00:34AM1.34m
1:20PM1.20m
1:43AM1.43m
2:21PM1.33m
2:40AM1.52m
3:12PM1.46m
3:29AM1.59m
3:59PM1.57m
4:13AM1.62m
4:42PM1.64m
4:54AM1.61m
Low Tide
4:26PM0.49m
5:49AM0.46m
5:57PM0.48m
7:07AM0.38m
7:17PM0.40m
8:09AM0.27m
8:22PM0.29m
9:00AM0.16m
9:16PM0.19m
9:45AM0.07m
10:04PM0.13m
10:26AM0.02m
10:49PM0.10m
11:05AM0.00m
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
 mm
3
3
7
9
3
4
3
1
Temp °C
19
17
17
18
16
16
16
15
17
17
16
18
19
16
19
20
16
19
20
16
24
Feels °C
15
14
14
14
15
16
15
14
18
15
16
18
18
16
17
17
15
16
17
15
20
  • 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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