Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 31 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 0.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 1PM. 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it's a flat spell. We're looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak surf with almost no energy behind it. The combined energy hangs around a measly 10 to 30 (low values) for days on end. The first real hint of anything rideable doesn't show up until the afternoon of Thursday, 30 July. That's a big gap with nothing to recommend.
The only spot on the menu is Red Strand (Dirk Bay), a sheltered reef break. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
Let's walk through it. From Monday, 20 July through to Thursday, 30 July morning, it's a ghost town. Swell heights are mostly 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft, with periods all over the shop but mostly from the south. Winds are a real mixed bag, but the problem is the swell just isn't there. The afternoon of Thursday, 30 July sees the biggest surge of the whole outlook – a 4 ft swell from the west-southwest, but with a short period of 5 seconds and a moderate cross-shore chop. Combined energy finally climbs to 90 (moderate), but the quality is poor. It's a bit of a mess.
The best of a pretty average bunch? It's a tough call. I'd have to say the glassy mornings on Friday, 24 July and Thursday, 30 July morning, and again on Saturday, 1 August morning. On Friday, 24 July morning, we have glassy conditions with a 0.7 ft SSW swell. It's tiny, but it'll be clean. Thursday, 30 July morning is also glassy, with a 2 ft swell from the west-southwest. That's the bigger of the two, but still a very short 3-second period. Saturday, 1 August morning is glassy again with a 1 ft southwest swell. Honestly, these are the only times you might get a clean little wave, but don't expect much.
Forget about a standout session. The swell is too small and gutless to get excited about. The periods are mostly short, so the waves will be weak and crumbly. The best you can hope for is a little knee-to-waist high glassy wave on one of those mornings. The afternoon of 30 July is the biggest, but the wind is going to chop it up.
This is a pretty blank run for the area. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, because it tends not to stay this quiet for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | W 3 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 30 | 24 | 5 | 25 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | on | off | off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:10AM3.06m | 10:36PM2.97m | 11:00AM2.85m | 11:28PM2.75m | 11:55AM2.67m | 00:26AM2.57m | 12:59PM2.55m | 1:33AM2.48m | 2:08PM2.52m | 2:41AM2.48m | 3:12PM2.58m | 3:40AM2.57m | 4:06PM2.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:12AM0.52m | 4:34PM0.57m | 5:00AM0.71m | 5:25PM0.77m | 5:51AM0.88m | 6:22PM0.94m | 6:50AM1.01m | 7:26PM1.04m | 7:55AM1.06m | 8:33PM1.05m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:34PM0.98m | 9:57AM0.93m | 10:26PM0.86m | |||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:39 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:34 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | E 5 | E 5 | S 16 | E 4 | E 4 | S 16 | E 4 | SSW 14 | ENE 6 | E 5 | E 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 6 | S 16 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 8 | S 15 | E 4 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | — | — | W 8 | S 18 | S 18 | — | S 12 | S 12 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 30 | 24 | 2 | 25 | 25 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 4 | 18 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | S 8 | E 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 7 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | S 16 | — | S 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 5 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 2 | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 13 | 21 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 157 | 93 | 93 | 297 | 113 | 112 | 420 | 118 | 276 | 280 | 303 | 1549 | 1497 | 1578 | 746 | 103 | 278 | 321 | 278 | 157 |
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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