Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, SW swell with 192 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 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what’s coming up for Red Strand (Dirk Bay). I’ll be honest with you, this is a rough stretch. The forecast shows a long, painful gap with no real surf on offer, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board.
We’re looking at a period that starts with a real dud. The first few days are a write-off, with tiny, weak, and messy swell. The combined wave energy is barely a whisper, with values like 18 and 12 on the 28th. It’s just not happening. This dry spell runs all the way through until the morning of the 4th of August. That’s a solid week of flat, frustrating conditions.
Finally, on the morning of Tuesday the 4th of August, we see a little glimmer. The swell picks up to 2ft from the SSW, with a short period of 7 seconds, and the wind turns light and cross-offshore from the NW, keeping things clean. The energy is still weak at 61, but it's the first real sign of life. The afternoon looks even better for size, with the swell hitting 4ft from the SSW, a clean cross-offshore from the NNW, and a moderate energy reading of 112. This is the best on offer in the whole window, but it’s not a world-beater. The waves will be small, but the clean conditions will make them rideable for a beginner.
The morning of the 5th of August is worth a mention for the novelty. We get a little 0.7ft push from the SSW, but with a very long period of 13 seconds and a light offshore wind from the N. The energy is low at 41, but that long period means the few waves that come through will have some shape. For a reef break like this, that long period is a good thing. Expect long waits between sets.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The rest of the forecast is a mix of tiny waves and strong, messy winds. The 10th of August sees some stronger cross-shore winds, but the swell is small and the energy is low, making it more of a kite-surfing setup than a surfing one. The water temperature is a notable 66°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year (4°F above average), so at least you won’t be cold while you’re sitting there waiting for a wave that never comes.
So, to sum it up: the only real chance you’ve got is the afternoon of the 4th of August. It’s not epic, but it’s clean and surfable. The rest of the 16 days? Leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | S 13 | SW 3 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 49 | 55 | 41 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:32PM2.99m | 5:50AM3.00m | 6:09PM3.12m | 6:25AM3.11m | 6:44PM3.22m | 7:00AM3.19m | 7:18PM3.28m | 7:34AM3.24m | 7:53PM3.29m | 8:09AM3.24m | 8:28PM3.26m | 8:46AM3.20m | 9:06PM3.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:27AM0.65m | 11:50PM0.60m | 12:06PM0.52m | 00:27AM0.49m | 12:42PM0.42m | 1:02AM0.41m | 1:16PM0.36m | 1:36AM0.38m | 1:50PM0.34m | 2:09AM0.38m | 2:24PM0.37m | 2:44AM0.43m | 3:00PM0.44m | 3:20AM0.50m | |||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 4 | S 13 | S 7 | S 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | — | S 12 | W 11 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 49 | 55 | 41 | 83 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | S 14 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | S 5 | — | W 12 | S 12 | S 12 | — | S 10 | — | S 11 | SW 7 | S 11 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | S 10 | W 10 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | SW 4 | WSW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | S 4 | — |
| kJ | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 16 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 113 | 111 | 111 | 302 | 113 | 467 | 867 | 111 | 471 | 779 | 285 | 122 | 122 | 111 | 93 | 111 | 93 | 93 | 93 | 111 |
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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