
Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, S swell with 5,516 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period with ENE 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 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.
Overall, we’re in for a slow start, but there are a couple of absolute standouts later on that’ll make the wait worthwhile. The water’s sitting at 65°F at Cintsa West, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – that 2°F dip is noticeable, so you might want a slightly thicker suit.
The first few days are a write-off for quality surfing. We’ve got some size on Sunday the 6th, with 5ft from the SSW and a period of 20 seconds in the afternoon, but that’s coming with a cross-onshore wind and choppy conditions. The combined energy is strong at 2309, but it’s messy. Monday and Tuesday the 7th and 8th stay lumpy with cross-shore winds and chop. Not worth paddling out.
We hit a real dry spell from Thursday the 10th right through to Saturday the 12th. Swell drops right off, energy readings are weak to moderate – down in the 200s and 300s – and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore. Poor conditions all the way.
Now, Sunday the 13th is where it gets interesting. Cintsa West wakes up with 10ft from the ENE at 9 seconds, and glassy conditions in the morning. That’s a solid amount of juice – 2920 combined energy – and with glassy wind, it’s going to be clean. This is for experienced surfers only; 10ft is no joke. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze and 8ft waves. This is a true standout for the period.
Things go a bit average again Monday and Tuesday the 14th and 15th, with smaller, mixed-up swell and cross-shore winds. Nothing to get excited about.
But then, mark your calendar for Saturday the 19th. The morning brings an 12ft swell from the SSE at 10 seconds, with absolutely glassy conditions – calm wind, energy reading at 4059. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook, but again, it’s expert territory. The period is 10 seconds, so it’s not a super long groundswell, which actually helps it hold its shape at a point break like Cintsa West. The afternoon gets bigger, 13ft from the SSE, but a light cross-shore starts to creep in.
Monday the 21st morning is also a beauty: 8ft from the SE at 10 seconds, glassy, energy at 1189. Excellent conditions for those who can handle it. The rest of the second week is a mix of smaller, wind-affected days, but those two sessions – the 13th and the 19th – are the ones to aim for.
Remember, Cintsa West is a point break, inconsistent, but when it fires, it’s a gem. Crowds can show up sometimes, so get in early on those standout days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
623 | 1786 | 5516 | 1924 | 1281 | 416 | 699 | 657 | 631 | 749 | 525 | 275 | 169 | 138 | 405 | 223 | 183 | 396 | 512 | 669 | 1009 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:17PM1.05m | 00:50AM1.17m | 1:31PM1.24m | 1:49AM1.33m | 2:17PM1.44m | 2:31AM1.46m | 2:54PM1.60m | 3:07AM1.56m | 3:27PM1.72m | 3:40AM1.62m | 3:59PM1.78m | 4:11AM1.64m | 4:28PM1.78m | 4:40AM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:28PM0.59m | 7:15AM0.46m | 7:42PM0.42m | 8:03AM0.29m | 8:27PM0.26m | 8:40AM0.14m | 9:05PM0.13m | 9:13AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.04m | 9:44AM-0.03m | 10:09PM0.00m | 10:13AM-0.04m | 10:38PM0.01m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 31 | 29 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SSE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 |
204 | 1786 | 5516 | 1924 | 1281 | 229 | 432 | 452 | 363 | 318 | 326 | 275 | 169 | 138 | 405 | 79 | 138 | 81 | 111 | 126 | 669 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 23 | S 10 | E 9 | — | — | SSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 17 | S 6 | SSW 14 | SE 13 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SSW 19 | SSE 8 |
623 | 198 | 61 | — | — | 229 | 198 | 110 | 85 | 51 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 119 | 47 | 223 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 74 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | — | SE 12 | S 22 | SSW 16 | S 10 |
108 | 121 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 50 | 27 | 11 | 13 | 46 | 15 | 8 | 108 | 115 | — | 6 | 9 | 49 | 80 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 10 | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | — | — | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 |
34 | 204 | 240 | 217 | 385 | 416 | 699 | 657 | 631 | 749 | 525 | 8 | 47 | 25 | — | — | 183 | 396 | 512 | 669 | 1009 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 512 | 431 | 396 | 403 | 456 | 123 | 43 | 271 | 0 | 10 | 123 | 1 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 380 | 380 | 432 | 431 | 431 | 100 |
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.










