Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, ESE swell with 1,465 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with ESE 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. 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 2.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the stretch ahead at Cintsa West, a point break that’s got some potential but is going to keep us waiting.
The next couple of days are a write-off. Thursday the 30th through Saturday the 1st of August are looking poor with messy, cross-onshore winds and only small, weak swell. The energy is low (around 525 to 1019). Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a wet suit rinse.
The real window opens up Monday the 3rd of August. That morning is your first true standout. Glassy conditions, light offshore breeze, and a clean 6ft swell from the ESE with a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (877) and the water temp is about 69°F, which is pretty average for this time of year. This is a point break, so that longer period will wrap in nicely. The consistency is listed as “inconsistent,” so don’t expect a non-stop conveyor belt, but when a set comes through it’ll be worth it. Crowds can happen here sometimes, so keep an eye out.
Tuesday the 4th of August morning is another solid option. Clean cross-off winds, 6ft from the E with a 9-second period. The energy is moderate (894). It’s not a huge swell, but the conditions will be clean, making for a fun, cruisy session.
After that, the swell drops off into Wednesday and Thursday (5th and 6th). The 6th of August brings a new pulse from the SSW with a very long 14-second period and a moderate 3ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. The energy is moderate (587). Not ideal.
The 7th and 8th of August see a bigger SSW groundswell, but with moderate cross-shore winds. The energy gets strong (1046 to 1173), but the chop will make it a battle. This is a point break, so the long period should still offer some shape, but the wind is a problem.
The 11th of August (Tuesday) is a long-range standout worth keeping an eye on. Fresh cross-off winds, a solid 7ft to 8ft swell from the SSW with an 11 to 12-second period. The energy is strong (1277 to 1377). This is big enough to be for intermediate to expert surfers only. The wind is clean, but the swell direction is not ideal for the optimum SE direction Cintsa West prefers. It’s promising, but less certain this far out.
The 13th of August (Thursday) morning is a late-run surprise. Glassy, calm conditions with a tiny 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long 16-second period. The energy is low (336). This is a long-period groundswell that will be super clean but tiny. It’s a point break, so it might offer a few long, slow rides for a log.
Overall, the first week is a bust. The clear best on offer is Monday the 3rd of August morning, with Tuesday the 4th of August morning as a close second. The 11th of August is the big, promising swell if the wind holds.
Stay patient, wait for that glass, and you’ll get a few.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 618 | 601 | 547 | 543 | 543 | 539 | 466 | 618 | 1465 | 990 | 1219 | 1008 | 749 | 551 | 668 | 495 | 427 | 235 | 189 | 160 | 353 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:35PM1.55m | 4:39AM1.54m | 5:03PM1.60m | 5:07AM1.54m | 5:31PM1.62m | 5:36AM1.52m | 6:01PM1.61m | 6:07AM1.46m | 6:32PM1.56m | 6:41AM1.38m | 7:09PM1.49m | 7:21AM1.27m | 7:53PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:21AM0.10m | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:48AM0.06m | 11:06PM0.17m | 11:15AM0.05m | 11:36PM0.17m | 11:43AM0.07m | 00:08AM0.20m | 12:13PM0.13m | 00:43AM0.25m | 12:47PM0.21m | 1:24AM0.34m | 1:26PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.44m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 27 | 30 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 618 | 601 | 547 | 543 | 543 | 539 | 466 | 618 | 1465 | 990 | 1219 | 1008 | 749 | 551 | 489 | 340 | 325 | 235 | 189 | 160 | 130 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 401 | 390 | 312 | 277 | 149 | 87 | 30 | 28 | 40 | 33 | 17 | 35 | 121 | 104 | 93 | 56 | 56 | 48 | 30 | 75 | 353 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 15 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 18 | SSW 15 | SW 11 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 29 | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | WSW 3 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 17 | 53 | 13 | 56 | — | — | — | 668 | 495 | 427 | 5 | 12 | 23 | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 29 | 0 | 489 | 512 | 0 | 100 | 180 | 0 | 100 | 278 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 28 |
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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