Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 3,986 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s shaping up for Cintsa West. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, but there are a couple of windows where it’ll be worth getting wet.
Right off the bat, the first couple of days are a write-off. Tuesday the 25th is messy with cross-shore wind and that solid S swell is wrapping in, but the conditions are marginal and the scores are low. Don’t bother paddling out today.
Wednesday morning the 26th is where it finally turns on. That long-period S groundswell is pumping in at 7ft with a 17-second period, and the wind goes glassy. It’s gonna be clean, lined-up, and powerful. This is for experienced surfers only though – that size and those long gaps between sets will test you. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a spring suit will do. The combined energy is strong at 2864. This is the standout of the whole outlook, no doubt.
But don’t get too comfortable. Wednesday afternoon gets ruined by a strong cross-onshore wind and Thursday is blown out by a fresh NE breeze. Friday morning the 28th cleans up nicely with a light cross-offshore breeze and a fun 6ft E swell. The wave energy is moderate (1081), but it’ll be clean and rideable.
Saturday the 29th morning is similar, clean with a cross-offshore breeze and 8ft E swell. That’s a solid size, maybe pushing it for beginners, but if you’re comfortable, it’ll be a good session. The wind stays light.
There’s a real flat, poor spell from Sunday the 30th through Tuesday the 1st of September. Rain, onshore winds, and weak swell. Don’t even bother.
Things start to look interesting again on Wednesday morning the 2nd. Clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze and a little 4ft E swell. Not big, but clean and fun for a longboard. The next real standout arrives on Monday morning the 7th of September. A long-period SSW groundswell (16 seconds!) at 6ft combines for a strong 2097 energy reading. The wind is clean and cross-offshore. This is a classic autumn point break pulse – clean, powerful, and long walls. This is the second best window in the outlook, but it’s over a week out, so keep an eye on it.
Tuesday the 8th morning is also clean with light offshore wind and a smaller 4ft S swell. Easy paddling, smooth waves.
After that, it fades again into poor conditions by Wednesday the 9th. All in all, the 26th morning and the 7th morning are your best bets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the NE by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 785 | 708 | 1428 | 763 | 2864 | 3986 | 1567 | 759 | 1366 | 2563 | 630 | 1077 | 584 | 1086 | 914 | 818 | 458 | 416 | 477 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:24AM1.29m | 2:49PM1.34m | 2:53AM1.40m | 3:15PM1.47m | 3:20AM1.50m | 3:41PM1.58m | 3:47AM1.57m | 4:07PM1.67m | 4:14AM1.61m | 4:34PM1.73m | 4:42AM1.62m | 5:01PM1.74m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:20PM0.49m | 8:37AM0.33m | 8:50PM0.36m | 9:03AM0.21m | 9:17PM0.25m | 9:28AM0.11m | 9:45PM0.15m | 9:53AM0.03m | 10:12PM0.08m | 10:19AM-0.01m | 10:41PM0.05m | 10:46AM-0.02m | 11:10PM0.05m | ||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 5:44 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 33 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 32 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 785 | 406 | 1428 | 763 | 2864 | 3986 | 1567 | 759 | 678 | 928 | 630 | 573 | 584 | 573 | 140 | 818 | 458 | 416 | 477 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | S 17 | E 9 | S 18 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SW 14 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 12 | 708 | 2 | 229 | — | — | — | 70 | 341 | 488 | 403 | 311 | 376 | 232 | 8 | 40 | 22 | 10 | 28 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | S 15 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | S 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | 172 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 20 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | E 10 | SW 3 | SW 6 | SSW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 220 | 640 | 1366 | 2563 | — | 1077 | — | 1086 | 914 | 8 | 38 | 29 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 380 | 380 | 271 | 323 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 10 | 271 | 0 | 28 | 144 | 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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