Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, E swell with 3,806 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty coming to you live from the Cintsa West area. Let’s get into it.
The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, but there is a standout session on the horizon for the crew who know this spot. It’s an inconsistent point break, so when it turns on, you better be there.
Monday the 14th is the kickoff. The ocean’s pumping with a solid 12ft swell from the ENE, a long 10-second period, pumping serious energy (4664). The water is sitting at 63°, which is a very unusual 5° colder than normal for this time of year. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE, which is going to keep the waves clean. This is a serious, big-wave session only for experienced surfers – this kind of size will wash beginners away. The break might get a few people on it, so keep your eyes peeled.
After that, things go grim for a long stretch. From Tuesday the 15th through to Saturday the 19th, it’s a write-off. Strong winds, rain, and lumpy, choppy conditions take over. The swell drops and the quality disappears. You’re looking at a gap of about four days with no recommendations.
Now, hold tight for Sunday the 20th. We get a proper looker. The morning brings a 10ft swell from the ESE with a 10-second period. It’s still a lot of energy (1743), but the wind is a glassy light breeze from the NNW. It’s going to be clean, smooth, and heavy. Again, this is expert territory with that size, but for those guys, it’s a dream. The crowds might be around, but on a day like this, it’s worth sharing the lineup for a couple of hours.
The following week has one more bright spot. Friday the 25th rolls in with a solid 8ft swell from the ENE, a period of 9 seconds. The energy is still hefty (1666). The wind is a clean, light cross-offshore from the north, which will keep the faces tidy. Another good day for the experienced surfer, for sure. The rest of that second week looks like a mix of onshore winds and average conditions, nothing worth getting too excited about.
The standout here is Sunday the 20th. Get on it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 97mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sat morning, calm by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2809 | 1636 | 826 | 590 | 450 | 333 | 420 | 210 | 251 | 532 | 726 | 509 | 828 | 1587 | 2560 | 2770 | 2472 | 1682 | 1108 | 499 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 5:23PM1.64m | 5:34AM1.47m | 5:48PM1.52m | 5:59AM1.36m | 6:12PM1.38m | 6:24AM1.23m | 6:37PM1.23m | 6:50AM1.09m | 7:05PM1.08m | 7:30AM0.95m | 8:11PM0.94m | 12:16PM0.91m | 00:32AM0.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:31PM0.14m | 11:34AM0.17m | 11:56PM0.25m | 12:00PM0.29m | 00:22AM0.37m | 12:25PM0.43m | 00:50AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.58m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:40PM0.73m | 4:11AM0.75m | 6:20PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 27 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 25 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSW 13 | E 9 | S 7 | S 7 | ESE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 1724 | 1636 | 826 | 590 | 450 | 333 | 244 | 205 | 251 | 384 | 429 | 103 | 127 | 1270 | 158 | 98 | 2472 | 1682 | 1108 | 499 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | — |
| kJ | 131 | 72 | 62 | 39 | 39 | 150 | 86 | 210 | 164 | 161 | 256 | 213 | 173 | 188 | 12 | — | 56 | 40 | 107 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 17 | SSW 18 | S 11 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 6 | 30 | 9 | — | 111 | 246 | — | 258 | — | — | 66 | — | — | — | 21 | 21 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 2809 | — | — | — | — | 107 | 420 | 127 | 242 | 532 | 726 | 509 | 828 | 1587 | 2560 | 2770 | — | — | — | 322 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 78 | 28 | 337 | 0 | 380 | 512 | 28 | 260 | 380 | 424 | 424 | 588 | 357 | 114 | 512 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 138 |
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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