Surf Forecasts:
Cintsa West surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,137 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. 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+) | 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cintsa West over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Cintsa West.
Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell to start. The first decent opportunity doesn’t roll in until Saturday 23 August, so you’re looking at a gap of nearly two days with no real surf on offer. From there, it’s a mixed bag—some promising windows but plenty of chop and cross-shore wind to contend with.
Saturday 23 August morning brings a 7ft SSW swell with a 10-second period and a moderate cross-shore breeze. It’s marginal at best, with a cross-chop making things lumpy. The combined swell energy is moderate (1416). Not the cleanest, but if you’re keen, you might find a few. Sunday 24 August is tiny—2ft SSE on the morning—so don’t bother.
Monday 25 August morning has a 5ft SSW swell but with a very long 15-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and for a point break like Cintsa West, that can mean nice long lines. The wind is gentle cross-shore, just a slight cross-chop. Combined energy is moderate (1039). It’s not a standout, but it’s the best of a so-so week. Tuesday 26 August morning sees a 6ft S swell, 15-second period, but the wind swings cross-onshore from the east, introducing small ripples. Still, the energy is moderate (2073).
Wednesday 27 August morning has an 8ft S swell with a 17-second period—proper groundswell again. But the wind is moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy. Combined energy is moderate (3921). Not ideal. Thursday 28 August is messy with strong cross-shore winds. Skip it.
Friday 29 August morning offers a 10ft ENE swell, but the period is short at 9 seconds, so it’ll be a bit walled-up. The wind is light cross-shore, and combined energy is moderate (2443). The standout? Look ahead to Thursday 4 September. That morning brings a 10ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, glassy conditions, and combined energy of 2390—solid wave energy. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, with clean lines and light rain. That’s the one to circle. Saturday 5 September has a 8ft SSW swell, but cross-shore wind spoils it.
Then Sunday 6 September morning throws up a massive 16ft SW swell with a 14-second period—combined energy of 13713, which is very strong. The wind is moderate cross-shore, so it’ll be lumpy and heavy. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the cross-chop will make it challenging. The afternoon drops to 10ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore.
Cintsa West is an inconsistent point break, so don’t expect a daily guarantee. Crowds are sometimes an issue, but with the conditions being marginal on most days, you might have it quieter. Water temp is about 65°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—nothing extreme, but you’ll want a wetsuit.
Best bet: Thursday 4 September for the cleanest, most powerful swell with glassy conditions. Everything else is a game of patience.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 897 | 924 | 871 | 562 | 326 | 67 | 195 | 574 | 1021 | 725 | 1165 | 1675 | 3921 | 1979 | 1142 | 762 | 839 | 1411 | 787 | 848 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:46PM1.05m | 1:49AM1.16m | 2:21PM1.19m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:24PM0.74m | 7:32AM0.61m | 7:43PM0.62m | 8:09AM0.47m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 16 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 27 | 25 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | E 8 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 |
| kJ | 18 | 5 | 540 | 562 | 326 | 67 | 195 | 574 | 1021 | 514 | 1165 | 1675 | 3921 | 1979 | 1142 | 762 | 566 | 577 | 470 | 440 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | E 9 | S 17 | E 9 | S 18 | — | — | — | S 16 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 6 | 6 | 53 | 44 | 6 | 6 | 725 | 2 | 398 | — | — | — | 181 | 255 | 411 | 327 | 251 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 6 | 63 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 121 | 163 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 897 | 924 | 871 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | 291 | 740 | 839 | 1411 | 787 | 848 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 461 | 262 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 588 | 431 | 456 | 456 | 78 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
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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