Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with 4,585 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial
Alright, let’s get this show on the road. For Cintsa West, it’s a bit of a slow burn. The first week is full of bumpy, choppy conditions thanks to those onshore winds. The swell energy is all over the place, but it’s not doing us any favors with the wind direction.
Here’s the one you need to know about: the morning of Friday, September 18th. This is the pick of the bunch. We’ve got a solid 12ft swell pushing in from the SSW, but the wind is dead calm – glassy. That’s a massive win. The combined energy is a whopping 7285, which is a lot of power. This is a big, heavy day for experienced surfers only. The water is 65°, which is a bit cooler than usual, so don’t forget the booties.
Before that, keep your eyes on the morning of Wednesday, September 9th. The wind is a light cross-offshore at 3 mph, so it’ll be clean. The swell is 7ft from the ENE with a 9-second period, and the energy is 1381. It’s a solid, clean option for the intermediate surfer.
Then again, on the morning of Sunday, September 13th, we see a clean 8ft swell from the ESE with a nice cross-offshore breeze. The energy is 2398, so it’s got some punch, but it’s a week out so don’t lock it in.
The rest of the period is a mix of chop and wind. The 18th is the standout. Don’t miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1203 | 629 | 390 | 345 | 326 | 617 | 1537 | 4465 | 1924 | 690 | 472 | 705 | 534 | 947 | 802 | 811 | 1133 | 332 | 293 | 251 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:23PM1.17m | 9:25AM0.99m | 10:48PM1.07m | 12:17PM1.05m | 00:50AM1.17m | 1:31PM1.24m | 1:49AM1.33m | 2:17PM1.44m | 2:31AM1.46m | 2:54PM1.60m | 3:07AM1.56m | 3:27PM1.72m | 3:40AM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:01AM0.60m | 3:41PM0.65m | 5:43AM0.61m | 6:28PM0.59m | 7:15AM0.46m | 7:42PM0.42m | 8:03AM0.29m | 8:27PM0.26m | 8:40AM0.14m | 9:05PM0.13m | 9:13AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.04m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 8 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 1203 | 629 | 390 | 193 | 326 | 245 | 1537 | 4465 | 1924 | 690 | 313 | 422 | 209 | 529 | 484 | 473 | 495 | 332 | 293 | 251 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | E 10 | SSW 23 | S 10 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 48 | 104 | 150 | 345 | 125 | 617 | 198 | — | — | 429 | 222 | 257 | 83 | 115 | 83 | 57 | 63 | 43 | 39 | 146 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSE 13 | S 13 | — | — | S 20 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 22 | 31 | 30 | 51 | 64 | 35 | 165 | — | — | 30 | — | 109 | 61 | 27 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 14 | 14 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 7 | E 10 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 204 | 100 | 198 | 74 | 186 | 384 | 472 | 705 | 534 | 947 | 802 | 811 | 1133 | 4 | 15 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 920 | 380 | 431 | 431 | 180 | 100 | 431 | 213 | 431 | 497 | 123 | 43 | 456 | 0 | 0 | 323 | 25 | 260 | 1 | 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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