Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 4 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, WSW swell with 39 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) in the next 16 days are 0.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 04) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, I’m gonna level with you. It’s flat. Proper flat. We’re looking at a 16-day window here and there’s not a single day that’s worth paddling out. This Red Strand (Dirk Bay) setup is a sheltered reef, beginner-friendly, and it’s been completely starved of swell the whole run. From Friday the 3rd right through to the morning of Saturday the 18th, every single session is rated as poor surf conditions. That’s a long blank stretch.
The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is about average for the time of year, so don’t expect a wetsuit adjustment – just no waves to enjoy it in.
We do see a few moments when the wind goes glassy or offshore, like Tuesday the 7th morning with a glassy calm, and that Saturday the 11th morning with a clean offshore breeze from the north, but with only 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft of weak, long-period SSW swell (15–17 seconds, combined energy in the low tens), it’s just not going to break. Even the best conditions can’t make something out of nothing.
Late in the window, on Sunday the 12th afternoon, we get a bit of a pulse: 0.7 ft of SSW groundswell with a very long 21-second period and a glassy calm. Combined energy is 69 – still weak – but it’s the highest reading of the whole forecast. Even so, that tiny amount of energy on a sheltered reef break with such a long period is going to be barely a ripple. Not worth getting excited over.
Honestly, for an area like this, a flat run this long is more normal than not. The forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to chase.
Keep your eyes on the charts, but for now, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | S 16 | S 16 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | S 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 17 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 27 | 21 | 10 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 5 | 21 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:17PM3.10m | 8:34AM3.02m | 8:55PM3.06m | 9:13AM2.97m | 9:35PM3.00m | 9:56AM2.91m | 10:19PM2.93m | 10:43AM2.85m | 11:10PM2.86m | 11:39AM2.80m | 00:10AM2.81m | 12:42PM2.79m | 1:17AM2.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.52m | 2:36AM0.58m | 2:51PM0.57m | 3:14AM0.63m | 3:30PM0.63m | 3:55AM0.69m | 4:13PM0.70m | 4:40AM0.74m | 5:03PM0.76m | 5:33AM0.79m | 6:01PM0.80m | 6:35AM0.80m | 7:07PM0.79m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:54 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:52 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | S 16 | S 16 | W 10 | WSW 9 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 12 | S 18 | S 18 |
| kJ | 27 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SW 16 | — | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 15 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 14 | W 8 | S 15 | S 6 | SW 4 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 18 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 5 | 10 | — | 5 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | S 13 | — | — | S 12 | S 18 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | SE 5 | — | S 13 | S 17 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 10 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | — | SW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | — | W 3 | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 3 | 39 | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 404 | 285 | 296 | 468 | 103 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 113 | 122 | 93 | 93 | 122 | 93 | 93 | 93 | 93 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cork | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Red Strand (Dirk Bay) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Red Strand (Dirk Bay) 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 (Red Strand (Dirk Bay)) 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 Red Strand (Dirk Bay) 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 Cork? If you are looking for accommodation near Red Strand (Dirk Bay), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cork, consider staying in Kinsale which is 34 km (21 miles) away. Other places in and around Cork where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bantry which is 39 km (24 miles) away, Cork, Cobh and Youghal.
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