
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,376 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 2.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. We’re looking at Cintsa West, a point break that’s inconsistent, so it’s not a machine. But when it lines up, it can be a gem.
The first few days are a bit of a tease. Saturday the 18th is a write-off – cloudy, marginal, with a cross-shore wind. The swell is from the south around 4ft, but the energy is weak (690) and the conditions just aren’t there. Sunday the 19th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning is glassy, absolutely flat calm, with a clean 4ft south swell. The energy is moderate (514). That’s a proper little session for the intermediate crew. The afternoon picks up to 5ft from the SSE, still glassy – that’s the standout of the first week. Clean, fun, and the wind is your best mate.
Monday the 20th is a step back. The swell is there, about 5ft from the SE, but the wind swings cross-shore and then cross-on. It’s not terrible, but it’s not the Sunday glass. Tuesday the 21st morning looks cleaner with a cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SE swell, but the energy is modest (644).
Then we hit a dry spell. From Wednesday the 22nd through to Friday the 24th, it’s mostly marginal, with onshore winds and questionable conditions. The swell is there, but the quality is just not there.
Now, look ahead. Sunday the 26th of July is a real standout for the second week. The morning is clean, with offshore wind from the NW and a 4ft S swell that has a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy is strong (1673). For a point break like Cintsa West, that long period stuff is a dream. It’ll be clean, powerful, and lined up. This is for the experienced surfer though – the swell is not huge, but the energy is real. Just be aware, the afternoon turns into a fresh cross-shore mess with 19 mph winds, so get out early.
The end of the week and into the first of August is a slow fade. The swell drops, the winds turn messy again. The morning of Sunday the 2nd of August shows a little hope with offshore wind and a clean 3ft S swell, but it’s small.
Overall, the best bet is Sunday the 19th for a clean, fun session, and the morning of Sunday the 26th for a more powerful, long-period groundswell. The rest of the window is a mixed bag of marginal conditions and wind battles. The inconsistency here is real – it can go quiet, but when it’s on, it’s on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SW 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
302 | 469 | 476 | 514 | 259 | 520 | 1069 | 614 | 614 | 486 | 314 | 314 | 588 | 468 | 373 | 276 | 626 | 394 | 337 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | 6:47AM1.37m | 7:18PM1.48m | 7:24AM1.25m | 7:57PM1.36m | 8:06AM1.13m | 8:42PM1.23m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:46PM1.13m | 10:35AM0.96m | 11:25PM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:50AM0.28m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:29AM0.38m | 1:28PM0.32m | 2:11AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.45m | 3:03AM0.57m | 3:00PM0.58m | 4:20AM0.64m | 4:26PM0.66m | |||||||
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
5:20 | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
302 | 469 | 476 | 514 | 259 | 520 | 590 | 614 | 614 | 486 | 314 | 237 | 588 | 468 | 373 | 165 | 626 | 394 | 337 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
125 | 94 | 94 | 69 | 169 | 88 | 603 | 265 | 254 | 115 | 266 | 314 | 127 | 161 | 140 | 115 | 68 | 66 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | E 10 | S 16 | SE 12 | SW 9 | SW 9 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | NE 4 | SSW 10 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
69 | 127 | 5 | 66 | 86 | 37 | 32 | 59 | 17 | 4 | 41 | 37 | 179 | 68 | 51 | 112 | 13 | 13 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | SW 9 | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | — | — | SW 4 | SW 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | 217 | — | — | — | 1069 | — | — | 14 | 23 | 66 | — | — | 6 | 276 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 431 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 24 | 28 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 260 | 0 |
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.










