Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with 40 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 0.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: this forecast is a tough one. The whole 16-day window is a massive dry spell. There is simply no surf worth paddling out for. The finder came back with zero recommendations, and looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why.
The only spot in the mix is Red Strand (Dirk Bay), a sheltered reef. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s the only bit of good news. The swell is tiny, mostly 0.3ft to 1ft, with combined energy barely cracking 49 (49) at its best. That’s weak energy, barely a ripple. Even when the wind goes offshore or glassy, like on the morning of the 27th, the swell is just 0.3ft from the south. You’d be floating, not surfing.
The period is all over the place, from a short 3 seconds up to 20 seconds, but that doesn’t matter when there’s no height. Even the longer period swells around 16-18 seconds are just whispers with no push. The wind does clean up at times, especially on the 18th and 21st with moderate offshore breezes, but the swell is so tiny it’s a waste of a good wind.
This is a blank run. It’s not unusual for this area to go quiet, and forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about. Don’t bother waxing up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 21 | S 20 | SSW 19 | SE 6 | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 34 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 37 | 17 | 6 | 30 | 24 | 5 | 25 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 18 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | off | off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | on | off | off | on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:52AM3.50m | 8:16PM3.57m | 8:37AM3.41m | 9:02PM3.42m | 9:23AM3.25m | 9:48PM3.21m | 10:10AM3.06m | 10:36PM2.97m | 11:00AM2.85m | 11:28PM2.75m | 11:55AM2.67m | 00:26AM2.57m | 12:59PM2.55m | 1:33AM2.48m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.09m | 2:42AM0.19m | 3:00PM0.20m | 3:27AM0.34m | 3:47PM0.37m | 4:12AM0.52m | 4:34PM0.57m | 5:00AM0.71m | 5:25PM0.77m | 5:51AM0.88m | 6:22PM0.94m | 6:50AM1.01m | 7:26PM1.04m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:43 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:39 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:37 |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ENE 4 | SW 12 | S 12 | E 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | S 18 | S 16 | E 6 | E 4 | S 16 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 34 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 24 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 5 | — | 21 | 21 | 4 | 18 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 5 | ENE 4 | SSW 12 | S 21 | S 20 | SSW 19 | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 18 | SE 4 | E 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 15 | S 10 | S 10 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 37 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 25 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | — | S 16 | — | S 21 | S 15 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 8 | SE 7 | S 11 | — | S 10 | W 8 | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 5 | — | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | — | NNE 2 | NNE 3 | — | NE 3 | E 5 | — | — | NNE 2 | — | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | — | — | NE 3 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | NNE 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 21 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 825 | 122 | 631 | 631 | 118 | 113 | 420 | 113 | 93 | 95 | 95 | 113 | 900 | 157 | 911 | 900 | 403 | 623 | 630 | 648 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cork | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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