Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,489 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cintsa West in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Cintsa West. This is a classic point break that needs a good SE swell to get goin’, and it’s inconsistent, so we have to pick the right moments. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
The first bit of action worth paddling out for is on Sunday 12 July. It’s a proper early start with a glassy 6ft S swell rollin’ in with a nice 12-second period. The combined energy is solid at (994) and winds are dead calm. The morning session is the standout here – clean lines, good energy, but remember, this break is inconsistent, so you might have to sit and wait for the sets. Crowds are possible, but with it being a bit hit-and-miss, it shouldn't be crazy.
Monday 13 July and Tuesday 14 July are a bit of a mixed bag. The morning of the 14th has a glassy 6ft E swell, but the period is short (9 seconds), so it won’t have that same grunt. The energy is still decent (629), but it’s not the same wave as the S swell.
The first date that’s a real standout, and worth circling on the calendar, is Thursday 24 July. This is a long way out, so treat it with a pinch of salt, but the ingredients look delicious. The morning brings a glassy 5ft SSW groundswell with a very long 15-second period. The energy is pumping (1308) and it’s set to be excellent for experienced surfers. That long period will be working perfectly at this point break, giving you some long, walling rides. The morning of the 25th is also lookin’ fine with a clean 6ft SSW swell and a 14-second period, energy at (1306).
There are some big swells later in the run, like the 8ft S swell on the morning of the 18th, but with cross-onshore winds and a big combined energy (2569), it’s going to be a messy, powerful beast – definitely for experts only, and possibly more of a kite-surfing day than a clean paddling session.
All in all, the best windows are the glassy Sunday morning of the 12th, and the long-range promise of the 24th and 25th. Get in there when it’s clean and the swell direction is right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | E 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 819 | 778 | 371 | 429 | 308 | 374 | 339 | 529 | 484 | 427 | 334 | 293 | 318 | 282 | 389 | 277 | 661 | 2267 | 2863 | 2491 | 1840 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:23PM1.67m | 5:33AM1.56m | 6:02PM1.65m | 6:10AM1.47m | 6:40PM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:30PM0.13m | 11:42AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.19m | 12:17PM0.10m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
 | 5:15 | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 819 | 778 | 371 | 284 | 308 | 374 | 339 | 529 | 484 | 427 | 334 | 293 | 318 | 282 | 277 | 233 | 156 | 94 | 2863 | 2491 | 1840 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | — | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | E 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | — | 289 | 188 | 175 | 190 | 70 | 67 | 32 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 212 | 389 | 277 | — | — | 92 | 66 | 68 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 9 | — | SW 16 | — | SW 15 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 9 | SE 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | SW 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | — | 15 | — | 10 | — | 8 | 50 | 30 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 52 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 12 | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | ENE 4 | SW 3 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 195 | 218 | 429 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | 2 | 661 | 2267 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 380 | 0 | 43 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 323 | 323 | 28 | 380 | 431 |
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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