Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, SW swell with 1,034 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 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
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 table for Red Strand.
To be honest, the next week or so is pretty quiet. We’ve got a long gap of tiny, weak surf from now through the 24th of August. The swell energy is just not there, hovering in the weak range. You'll be looking at knee-high dribble at best, with clean conditions here and there but nothing worth paddling out for. Hold tight, because things change.
The first real glimmer of hope arrives on Tuesday the 25th of August. The swell energy jumps up into the strong range, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell mess. The afternoon on the 25th might just offer a surfable wave, but it’s ordinary. We see 5ft from the S but it's still a short period. On the 31st of August we get another spike, with swell hitting 7ft from the SSW and energy soaring. That’s a big, powerful wave, but with a short period and onshore winds, it’s going to be a churning, messy close-out. This is only for experienced surfers on a good day, and frankly, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The standout window, and the one to keep an eye on, is the 1st and 2nd of September. On Tuesday the 1st, we have 3ft from the SW with moderate cross-shore chop. Not perfect, but better. However, Wednesday the 2nd of September is the pick. We get a 4ft SW swell, with a cross-offshore breeze, clean conditions, and moderate wave energy. It’s not world-class, but for this stretch it’s the most user-friendly wave on offer. Red Strand (Dirk Bay) is a sheltered reef break that’s good for beginners when it’s small, but that 4ft might be pushing the upper limit for total beginners.
So, the best of a quiet run is Wednesday the 2nd of September. Get it while it’s clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 28 | 59 | 51 | 50 | 47 | 42 | 82 | 77 | 25 | 50 | 50 | 42 | 42 | 74 | 39 | 68 | 69 | 59 | 308 | 408 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | off | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:53PM2.96m | 10:14AM2.88m | 10:38PM2.71m | 11:03AM2.64m | 11:32PM2.48m | 12:05PM2.46m | 00:44AM2.34m | 1:26PM2.38m | 2:08AM2.33m | 2:45PM2.44m | 3:18AM2.46m | 3:45PM2.61m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:48PM0.56m | 4:07AM0.71m | 4:32PM0.80m | 4:53AM0.92m | 5:26PM1.01m | 5:52AM1.10m | 6:36PM1.16m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:58PM1.18m | 8:30AM1.15m | 9:11PM1.08m | 9:35AM1.01m | 10:06PM0.91m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:39 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 6 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | ENE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | ENE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 |
| kJ | 9 | 28 | 59 | 51 | 50 | 15 | 24 | 41 | 40 | 25 | 5 | 50 | 42 | 10 | 74 | 39 | 68 | 69 | 40 | 36 | 168 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 15 | E 4 | ESE 5 | — | W 8 | W 9 | — | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 28 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 47 | 42 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 8 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | — | — | SSW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 82 | 77 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | W 3 | WSW 5 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | WSW 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 59 | 308 | 408 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 334 | 103 | 103 | 304 | 428 | 329 | 278 | 132 | 7 | 285 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 98 | 5 | 93 | 111 | 260 |
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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